Improving Crop Productivity in Rajasthan
A vast majority of the rural poor continue to be dependent on land and water resources for their meager livelihoods. Sadly, however, various phenomena including deforestation, drought and soil erosion have resulted in decreased incomes for these families. This has lead to chronic poverty. Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) devotes a significant part of its intervention efforts in developing land and water resources.
In 2013, with the support of the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, PRADAN demonstrated a model of land-water crop-based livelihoods in the Abu Road area of the Sirohi district in Rajasthan.
The objective of this project was to improve irrigation facilities and to increase the productivity of crops in the region by using a diversion-based irrigation method.
The support rendered by the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation enabled farmers to adopt this intervention, leading to a 60 percent increase in their income. With the help of the government, PRADAN has scaled up its efforts to replicate this low-cost model in many other villages as well.
Having formed its first self-help group in Rajasthan, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) works with marginalised communities, empowering women and enhancing their capability to access and utilise natural resources to get better livelihood opportunities.