1. The Diversion Channel Based Irrigation Project Nandurbar was started in April 2009 in Nandurbar District, Maharashtra and is sponsored by the Jamsetji Tata Trust. 2. The project aims to increase irrigation areas, assure irrigation availability, and mobilize farmers for proper water distribution through constructing impounding structures, channels, and distribution chambers across 11 villages. 3. Over 380 families across 15 sites now have access to irrigation, enabling year-round cultivation and increased yields for crops like maize, groundnuts, wheat, and vegetables.

1. 1. Name of the Project : -Diversion Channel Based
Irrigation Project Nandurbar
2. Sponsored by : - Jamsetji Tata Trust ( JTT)
3. Date of starting : - April 2009.
6. Financial Status :-
a) Fund Received Till date :- 68,26,000/-
b) Expenditure Till date :- 48,00,000/-

2. Scope in Nandurbar District –
Nandurbar is one of the most backward tribal districts of Maharashtra. On the
basis of its physical features, Nandurbar District can be divided into two regions –
plain area of Tapi river basin (Shahada, Taloda, Nandurbar and Navapur) and
hilly areas of Satpuda (Dhadgaon and Akkalkuwa). Hill slopes are very steep
leading to severe soil erosion during rainy season. People face water scarcity in
summer, even for drinking. The main problems of the area are unemployment, lack
of basic infrastructure, malnutrition, leading to seasonal migration. Maharashtra
Institute of Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (MITTRA) started the work five
years back, mainly for livelihood of these resource poor tribal through natural
resource management. Near about 11500 families have participated in land based
development programme. The main challenge was to provide irrigation to
horticulture and agriculture in non-monsoon, because of the geographical
condition. Lift irrigation method which was tried, almost failed due to very high
head leading to more fuel consumption with less output. The matter was discussed
with the participant tribal. Along with few other innovative ideas like use of
donkeys for water conveyance; the diversion channel based irrigation was the main
suggested solution. There is great scope for expansion of this activity in Satpuda
hill ranges. There is need of integration of modern technique with traditional
method, community mobilization and financial support
In hilly areas of Nandurbar district there is too much scope to develop such sites
and increase irrigation. There are considerable number of nalah and rivulets in
this area which flows through out the year with ample amount of water

3. . Pilot Initiatives
Considering importance and potential of this system, In October 2006
MITTRA had taken work of development on one site in Belakund
village of Akkalkua Taluka in Nandurbar district. This work had
been taken on pilot basis in order to revive traditional knowledge.
There were five participant families with two hectare average land
holding .The land had no irrigation facility. They were cultivating
only rain fed crops like maize, jowar, millets, etc.
MITTRA made participants aware of importance irrigation
and motivated them to come and work together for construction of
impounding structure, diversion channel and effective distribution of
water. MITTRA had supplied 300 empty cement bags for impounding
the water by constructing the temporary check dam. Twenty PVC
pipes were provided for crossing the nallah. Thirty members form the
participant families worked for five days for preparing the channel
and two days for construction of the temporary check dam.

4. Objective of project-
1.To increase the irrigation areas
2.To assured the irrigation
3.To mobillise the farmers for the proper water
distribution system for irrgation.

6. Impounding structure-
This is the concrete structure constructed by plumb concrete
work having the distance of according to the width of Nala
which helpful to the harvest the water and diverted into the
channel.It is constructed with proper desing. These structure
enables water level in the source to rise up certain desired height
so that it can diverted in the gravity channel to carry it to the
field for irrigation. The length and height of the structure may
vary according to each individual site.

7. Land Development-
This constitute treatment of the land so as to improve its productivity and
fertility. It includes mainly soil conservation measures such as contour
bunding, Farm bunding , Stone plugging, Gully plug and outlets for flood
water.This enables to reduce soil erosion, increases soil moisture. Humus
content and soil depth. Total length of farm bunding or contour bunding for
one hectare will be 250 metres The cross section for these bund will be 62
metre. Stone bunding has also been proposed if stone is available. Cross
section for stone bund will be 27 metre.and its length per hectare will be
500.00 metres. Forest tree species will be planted on newly constructed
farm bund with consulting the farmer.

8. Channel Development-
These involves excavation and development of water conveying channel.
Facilities and arrangements for fly over to cross river or any major
NALLA`S.Its have been proposed seven masonry column. One
distribution chamber has also been proposed in each site for effective
distribution . These PVC pipe would rest on the column through which
water could be conveyed from one bank to another. No of PVC pipe ,no of
masonry column and no. distribution chamber may vary according to each
individual site.

9. Improved Agriculture –
The main crops are maize, groundnut, and with the current
agricultural practices the average yield of maize is 3.5 quintal per acre
while the yield of groundnut is 4 quintal per acre. There is scope to
increase the productivity by 7 quintal per acre in maize and 8 quintal
per acre for groundnut.During the rabbi season MITTRA has
supported the improved seed of Gram,Maize and vegetable crop like
Onion, raddish,Brinjal and Tomato. After the implementation of DBI
Scheme farmers has introducing new crop wheat for cultivation.

10. Project major component :-
Sr. No Activity Target Achievement Achievement %
1 Impounding Structure 15 15 100
2 Channel Development 25 25 100
3 Distribution Chambers 25 32 128
4 Land Development 432 Ha 306 70.83
900acr
5 Improved Agriculture 500 55.55
s
6 No. of families 400 380 95
7 Area under irrigation 900acr 750acr 83
8 No. of village 11 11 100

11. Site/Village Taluka Dist
Bedakund 1 & 2,Borigpada Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Belakund-3 Patilpada Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Kusumpada,Dahel-1 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Bijaripada,Dahel-5 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Baptipada,Dahel-1 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Wadibar-1, Patilpada Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Wadibar-2, Patilpada Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Walamba-3,Bodipada Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Bijariphadipada,Orapa-2 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Patilpada,Orpa-1 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Matyabaripada,Dahel-3 &4 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Matyabaripada,Dahel-3 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Bodipada, Walamba-3 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Shirkapani,Sallibar-2 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Jamdoipada, Ukhali Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Kidaipada,Sallibar-1 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Patilpada,Walamba-1 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Patilpada,Walamba-2 Akallkuwa Nandurbar
Kamod Dhadgaon Nandurbar
Bijari,Mahupada Dhadgaon Nandurbar
Bedwaipada,Pimpalbari Dhadgaon Nandurbar
Mokhapada-1,Pathali-1 Dhadgaon Nandurbar
Boripada,Pathali-2 Dhadgaon Nandurbar
Edipada,Pathali-3 Dhadgaon Nandurbar
Baripada,Pathali-4 Dhadgaon Nandurbar

12. Achievement of the project –
1.750 acres of land irrigated through channel.
2.Farmers are properly manage the water for irriegation.
3.Crop patterns are changes , farmers are planning their own
strategy for cultivation of improved seeds.
4.Permanent water source is available for rabbi season.

13. Nala crossing Pipe at
Pathali
Distribution chamber
Nala crossing Pipe on column Irrigated field through channel

14. Contribution by user group Vegetable cultivation on channel
Impounding structure Plantation along channel

15. Strawbery plot irrigated through Wadi irrigation through channel
channel
Onion plot irrigated through
channel Wheat cultivation on channel

16. BAIF- MITTRA Regional Of fice,
“Dayer-E-Husain”, plot no. 7,
Near Panchganga Bajaj,
Prakasha Road, Shahada
Dist. Nandurbar.
Ph. 02565-224036
Email – mittra.shd@gmail.com