MNREGA check dams have transformed the village, and rain will no longer be a compulsion for farmers.
00 Water conservation gives new direction to agricultural development, hope of double crop and increased income
Balrampur. Efforts being made towards water conservation and agricultural empowerment in Chhattisgarh are bringing positive changes in rural areas. The check dam constructed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) in village Sulsuli of Balrampur district is proving to be a boon for the farmers. With this initiative, now the farming of the farmers will not be dependent only on rain, rather they will get the opportunity of double crop production by getting irrigation facility throughout the year.
Under the guidance of the district administration, a check dam was constructed on the Ledo Nala in the Sulsuli Gram Panchayat under the Wadrafnagar District Panchayat at a cost of approximately 17 lakh rupees in the financial year 2025-26. This structure will play a vital role in strengthening water conservation in the area and increasing agricultural production.
Previously, due to a lack of irrigation resources, village farmers had to practice primarily rain-fed agriculture. Due to insufficient water availability after the Kharif season, much of the agricultural land remained fallow during the Rabi season. With the construction of the check dam, approximately 10 farmers will now have access to additional irrigation facilities covering 15 hectares of agricultural land, enabling cultivation in both the Kharif and Rabi seasons.
According to experts, the check dam will not only increase water storage but also improve groundwater levels. This will increase the availability of water in nearby wells and other water sources, benefiting farmers and villagers for a long time. The expansion of irrigation facilities will enable farmers to cultivate vegetables, pulses, and other cash crops alongside traditional crops, creating new opportunities for crop diversification and income growth.
This check dam will also prove useful in the daily lives of the villagers. The conserved water can be used for domestic needs, drinking water for animals, and other disposal purposes, significantly reducing the water crisis in the village.
