SHG Improves Incomes by Constructing Check Dam IN ORISSA

JayDurga Krushak Samiti was formed in October, 2000, under the leadership of Jankars Judhistira Mohanta and Daktar Kiski as a self Help Group in Chandua Village of Mayurbhanja district of Orissa, to create a credit-saving structure with a monthly individual saving of Rs. 10 (Rs. 45 approximately is equal to US $ 1.00). Of the initial 14 members, all were agriculturists, belonged to Scheduled Tribes, and 10 were catergorised as BPL (Below Poverty Line). Irrigation was the major problem in Chandua Village and the entire crop land was rainfed. Paddy was taken as the single crop in Kharif season. In the upland, availability of water was the problem and in low land, draining out excess rain water was the problem. The cropping intensity of Chandua village was as low as 60 per cent, and the average per acre yield of paddy village was 3-4 Qtl. After a series of discussion with GVT, the SHG decided to construct a check dam on Baurakhal river. GVT contributed material and technical knowhow, and the community contributed its labour for construction. The check dam has resulted in 100 acres of land being irrigated, directly benefiting 150 households. There was an average income increase of Rs. 72000/acre from paddy, and Rs. 1350 from vegetables. GVT supplied seeds of higher yielding varieties of paddy, and yields increased. The cropping intensity also increased, resulting in improved food production. Vegetables were grown in the uplands (non-paddy lands). The reservoir of the dam The reservoir of the dam was also used for bathing of livestock. The water table of the adjacent areas also rose by 3 ft., as estimated by the Dept. of Soil Conservation, who now regularly started training the members of the SHG in various soil conservation measures.