Mitigating Drought in Uttar Pradesh

Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Contact: Dr. Prakash Tyagi

Dates: October 2020 – September 2023

Total Budget: Rs. 17,97,300

2023 Budget: Rs. 5,99,100

This three-year project promoted agricultural improvements and community development in five villages in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, a drought-prone and economically backward area, through several initiatives.  GRAVIS assisted the villagers in constructing 15 khadins (water retention dikes around fields), 30 compost pits, 30 pits to process wastewater and recharge ground water, 30 kitchen gardens for family nutrition, and fencing around 15 fields.  Three small community reservoirs were renovated, and three community seed banks were established.  In addition, GRAVIS conducted 15 education sessions on water quality and filtration, with a total attendance of 250 villagers, and 15 more on nutrition, with a similar total attendance.  Finally, GRAVIS established a Village Development Committee and a Self-Help Group in each village and gave them training and supervision on promoting community welfare and self-reliance.  These activities together have resulted in increased crop yields, better nutrition, better quality and availability of water, and increased empowerment of the villagers.

This project was an extension of a previous project that ran from 2017-2020.

2022 Progress Report  2023 Final Report