WATER SECURITY & FARMERS’ UPLIFTMENT PROGRAM – YAVATMAL
A Project Rise Initiative for Long-Term Rural Resilience
Yavatmal, one of Maharashtra’s most drought-stricken districts, has for years faced acute water scarcity, failing crop cycles, and increasing agrarian distress. Limited access to irrigation, erratic rainfall, and degrading groundwater levels created a harsh reality for thousands of farming families who relied solely on rain-fed agriculture. In response to these pressing challenges,we launched a comprehensive Water Security & Farmers’ Upliftment Program to restore water access, improve agricultural productivity, and help communities build long-term climate resilience.
This initiative forms a key pillar of Project Rise’s commitment to SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), ensuring that vulnerable rural communities have sustainable solutions to secure their livelihoods and dignity.
Project Location
District: Yavatmal, Maharashtra
Primary Blocks Covered: Pandharkawada, Ralegaon, Kelapur and adjoining tribal villages
Beneficiaries: Drought-affected small and marginal farmers
Key Challenges Addressed
Chronic drought conditions and depleting groundwater
Poor access to irrigation, forcing dependence on monsoon rainfall
Failed crop cycles leading to severe indebtedness Lack of alternative water sources and storage structures
Limited income opportunities for rural farmers and tribal communities
Interventions or Key Actions
Dozens of large farm ponds constructed or rejuvenated, designed to store lakhs of litres of rainwater.
Farmers reported a shift from single-season to multi-season cultivation due to improved water availability.
Multiple hand pumps installed across water-scarce villages.
Women and children, who previously walked long distances for water, now have reliable access within their hamlets.
Check dams, contour trenches, and recharge pits developed to capture runoff during monsoons.
Soil moisture retention boosted, supporting crop growth during dry spells.
Farmers trained on low-water, high-yield crop choices.
Guidance on sustainable farming techniques and alternative livelihood options.
Promotion of kitchen gardens for household nutrition.
Implemented in partnership with World Vision (India) and district authorities.
Special focus on vulnerable tribal communities to ensure inclusive rural development.
Impact
Increased Water Availability
Agricultural Revival
Dignity & Livelihood Security Restored
Youth Engagement & Rural Empowerment
Increased Water Availability
Thousands of villagers gained dependable access to drinking water.
Farm ponds helped capture significant volumes of monsoon water, reducing water stress across entire hamlets.
Agricultural Revival
Farmers moved from distress-driven migration to stable agricultural cycles.
Crop yield and cropping area increased due to irrigation availability.
Improved income stability reduced dependence on moneylenders.
Dignity & Livelihood Security Restored
Women reported reduced physical burden as water no longer required long-distance travel.
Farmers expressed renewed confidence in farming as a viable livelihood.
Entire villages witnessed improvement in quality of life due to water access.
Youth Engagement & Rural Empowerment
Local youth participated in construction and maintenance of water structures, creating employment during the project phase.
Awareness campaigns on water conservation encouraged responsible community-led stewardship.
Voices From the Ground
“For years we watched our fields dry and debts grow—but after the pond was built, we finally harvested a full crop. This project has brought hope back to our village.”
One of the farmers Yavatmal
“Earlier we walked miles to fetch water. Now clean water is available close to home, and our children can attend school without interruption.”
Local resident, Ralegaon block
Conclusion
This Water Security & Farmers’ Upliftment Program stands as one of Project Rise’s most impactful rural development models—directly strengthening drought resilience, ensuring water access, and uplifting farming families who had long suffered under the weight of agrarian distress.
Through integrated water structures, deep community involvement, and long-term sustainability planning, the initiative continues to help Yavatmal’s villages move toward greater stability, resilience, and dignity.
