Key on-farm rainwater harvesting structures
- Farm ponds (khet talab): Earthen or poly-lined dug-out ponds constructed at low field elevations to store excess monsoon runoff for dry-spell irrigation.
- Check dams and gully plugs: Masonry or boulder barriers built across natural drainage lines to slow down runoff velocity and facilitate percolation.
- Contour bunding and trenching: Embankments built along land contours to capture rainfall where it falls and enhance soil moisture retention.
- Recharge shafts and dug wells: Filtration pits designed to redirect clean surface runoff directly into depleted underground aquifers.
Crop benefits and soil conservation
Harvested rainwater provides crucial protective irrigation during critical crop growth stages such as flowering and grain filling, preventing severe yield losses. Furthermore, reducing surface runoff prevents valuable organic matter and fertile topsoil from being washed away into rivers.
Government support and subsidy schemes
Programs like the Watershed Development component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and state-specific pond creation schemes provide technical design assistance and financial subsidies for digging and lining farm ponds.
Official source
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Common questions
What is a farm pond (khet talab)?
A farm pond is an excavated water storage reservoir on agricultural land designed to capture surface runoff for protective irrigation.
Why is plastic lining used in farm ponds?
Lining the pond bed with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane sheets prevents seepage losses in sandy or porous soils.
Which government scheme supports rainwater harvesting structures?
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) watershed component and state farm pond schemes provide technical support and subsidies.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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