Bhubaneswar, Feb 12
Kuguput village in Rayagada district has long struggled with water shortages, making farming difficult due to unreliable rainfall. To solve this problem, Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), in partnership with the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (BRLF), launched ‘Project Neer’ to improve water availability and boost agriculture in the area.
The village has 127 households, including people from different communities, who mostly grow paddy during the monsoon. However, due to water scarcity, farmers used to lose 15-20% of their crops every year, leading to financial difficulties. Although a small stream flows through the village, earlier efforts to build a check dam did not solve the problem.
UAIL and BRLF studied the situation and found issues like poor water storage and soil erosion. Under Project Neer, they introduced structures like Loose Boulder Check Dams, Gabion Structures, and better storage solutions. Local farmers were actively involved in the planning and execution of these solutions.
One of the key initiatives was the renovation of the village’s check dam. Guided by a local committee of 10 lead farmers, improvements were made, including stone patching and expanding the catchment area. As a result, the dam can now store 7 lakh litres of water, helping to irrigate 50 acres of farmland.
The project has brought great benefits. Farmers can now grow crops twice a year, and paddy production has increased by 5 quintals per acre. Additionally, 30 families have started growing vegetables, earning an extra ₹15,000 per year.
UAIL’s Unit Head, Rabi Mishra, highlighted the project’s success, saying, “Project Neer shows our dedication to sustainable development. By improving water availability and involving the villagers, we have helped them move from uncertainty to self-sufficiency in farming.”
Farmers like Alok Majhi have seen their lives change. “With better irrigation, I can now grow vegetables and earn more. This project has truly improved our lives,” he shared.
UAIL continues its efforts to support communities across 232 villages, benefiting over 2 lakh people through initiatives in education, healthcare, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
