Rainwater Harvesting and Management Technology for New Livelihood of Submontane N-W Tract Zone Farmers of India

The N-W (northwestern) tract zone of India receives high precipitation rate varying from 850-1100 mm, but suffers from water scarcity during winter season (October to March). Due to non-availability of irrigation facilities and deep to very deep water table in the area, the alternative method is to explore minor irrigation potential through rainwater harvesting structures/tanks or through effective water-conservation measures or roof top. A cost-effective rainwater harvesting tank varying in capacities from 0.80 ha m to as high as 1.20 ha m capacity has been developed in the districts of Solan and Hoshiarpur in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, respectively. However, farmers may have the option to design a tank of suitable capacity as per the water requirements of crops intended to be cultivated and also for other diversified use of stored water for crop production, fish rearing, kitchen garden purposes and other uses during winter season (October to March) that suffers mainly from stress period. The designed water harvesting tanks were made up of clay, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) black agri-film and brick lining in order to reduce the seepage losses. Using the stored water judiciously and economically in various farm activities is most acceptable especially for the cultivation of ginger and tomatoes, etc. This economically viable and easily adoptable technology needs to be disseminated and popularized among large sections of farmers. This paper describes all aspects, including cost of preparation, size and capacity of water harvesting tank, water loss, lining material used, water productivity and diversified use of stored water. In addition, the paper highlights the future strategies to be followed in the area