The document discusses efforts to regenerate diversion-based irrigation (DBI) on the Devnadi river in Sinnar Block, Nashik District, Maharashtra with community participation. It provides background on the drought-prone area and history of the traditional DBI system using bandharas. The system broke down by 1995 due to various social and economic changes. Recent initiatives led by Yuva Mitra have repaired canals and bandharas, formed water user associations, introduced new crops and farming practices, and leveraged funds to expand DBI, benefiting over 1,000 households. Challenges include government interference and the need for integrated long-term support to sustain community-managed irrigation.

1. For sustainable development
Regeneration of Diversion Based
Irrigation on Deo river with
community participation
Presented by
Mr. Sunil Pote
Yuva Mitra, Sinnar

2. For sustainable development
Sinnar Block
• Drought prone block of Nashik District
• Out of 129 villages 48 villages provided drinking
water by tanker in summer
• Rapid industrialization
• Agriculture land 28000 hact.
• 2500 hact. Eight monthly irrigated
• 6300 Acre Devnadi IInd class irrigation

3. For sustainable development
Devnadi
• Devnadi is a river
originating from
Dhondbar village
located in the hills of
Aundhepatta of
Sahyadri Mountain, 26
km. from Sinnar town.
• Devnadi was the lifeline
for the 22 villages
located in the western
part of Sinnar.

4. For sustainable development
History of Irrigation
• There are 20 BANDHARAS
built on this river by British
Government in 1870.
• Each check dam has a
canal, which is further
divided into sub-canals.
• The gravitational flow of
the water ensures that
every piece of land is
irrigated.

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Devnadi : Lifeline for Sinnar

7. For sustainable development
History of irrigation
• It was a community
based water
management system,
which used to
distribute water to
almost 6500 Acre. land
of 19 villages, for 9
months.
• This system was
functional till 1995.
• This system also used
to recharge ground
water table.
• Devnadi used to flow
for 10 months of the
year now hardly retains
water for three
months.

8. For sustainable development
Present Situation
• Due to change in cropping pattern
from grains and cereals to vegetables
and other cash crops like onion
created more demand for water.
• Use of electric pumps on wells
• The community based water
management system was slowly
dismantled.
• Simultaneously communities also
lost their rights over water
resources.
• Ground water recharge is one of the
issue in this area as the diversion
based irrigation system is the only
source for recharge.
• The growing constructions in Sinnar
town increased the demand of sand,

9. For sustainable development
Present Situation
• The sociological transition from joint
families to nuclear families resulted
in the distribution of land.
• field channels were damaged.
• Indebt ness, alcoholism increased
number of landless families and
general lethargy towards
development are other problems
• Lost community control over water
resources is the root cause of the
situation.
• Uncertainty of productivity from
agriculture due to unavailability of
water,
• Demand for high capital investment
for each crop and uncertainty of
market rates (especially for onion
and tomato)
• There are number of farmers who
have stopped cultivation in one

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Our Initiative
Ongoing activities
• Meetings: Farmers, Gram Sabhas and Irrigation department
• Repair of main canal and the sub canals till the farms
• Awareness about river pollution and encroachment
• Regenerating agro biodiversity, MALIV plots with women
• Reflection about the ecologically sustainable cropping pattern
• Documentation
• Formation and strengthen the capacity of WUA
• Capacity building of women in decision making in agriculture

12. For sustainable development
Year No. of villages Households Acres Acres Acres
benefitted irrigated in irrigated in irrigated in
Rainy season Winter Season Summer
Season
2008
2009
2010 2 563 671 671 170
2011 2 433 471 471 90
2012 ( work 1 157
going on )
TOTAL 5 1133 1142 1142 260

13. For sustainable development
Detail of dbi works
Total families benefited 563
Total number of Small farmers covered 157 Nos
Total number of marginal farmers covered 347 Nos
Total number of medium farmers covered 162 Nos
Total area of land irrigated direct canal 268.29 Hect
Total no of well recharged by canal 172 Nos
Total area of land irrigated by well ( water lifted 335 hect
from command area )
Total number of indirect beneficiaries 101 HH
( Labour work)
Total length of canals repaired 6160M
Total length of field canals repaired and 8000 RMT
construction

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DBI Report5. Family data Wadgon.xls

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Shodh Yatra

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Consultation

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Joint Measurement

18. For sustainable development
Farmers Participation: Canal Repairing

19. For sustainable development
Farmers Participation: Canal and Sub canal repairing

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Repairing work done

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DBI Workshop

30. For sustainable development
Innovations (New Ideas implemented in DBI Command area / Catchment
area)
• Change in cropping pattern, five
guntha experiment
• Introduced exotic vegetable
practices
• Almost 61+ farmers getting daily
cash income around Rs.
1000/day

31. For sustainable development
Innovations (New Ideas implemented in DBI Command area / Catchment area)
• Introduced micro irrigation
technology
• 137 farmers done drip in 190
acre land

32. For sustainable development
Innovations (New Ideas implemented in DBI Command area / Catchment area)
• Formation of Devnadi valley
Agriculture producers company Ltd.
• 556 member farmers
• Established an Agri Mall.
• Working on Agri Linkages – input
and out put
• DVAPCO is the first producers
company in Maharashtra is got loan
from NABARD ( PODF)

33. For sustainable development
Innovations (New Ideas implemented in DBI Command area / Catchment area)
Agrimall
• “SINGLE WINDOW” service provider
• Lesser input cost
• Higher market price for produce
• Direct linkages between farmers and
consumers
• Having 556 farmer members

34. For sustainable development
Innovations (New Ideas implemented in DBI Command area / Catchment area)
• Collaboration with Govt. Dept.
• Mahatma Phule Agriculture
University, Rahuri.
• Prepared detail plan and estimates
of another six villages
• Submitted to district collector for
funding support
• State Irrigation department helped
for survey and preparation
estimates as per Govt. norms.

35. For sustainable development
Innovations (New Ideas implemented in DBI Command area / Catchment area)
Formation of water users association
• Five WUA is formed in special Gramsabha.
• Rules and regulation of WUA is passed by
gramsabha
• WUA set the rotation of water as per their
traditional practice.
• Regular training , meetings and exposure for
WUA member
• Separate bank account is maintain and
collection of Rs. 200/acre/year is collection
by WUA

36. For sustainable development
Khopdi and Ashapur DBI work
• Fund leveraged from
MGNREGA for 2
villages

37. For sustainable development
Aundhewadi drinking water project
• Tribal village Population 800.
• Sourcing water from the hills to
village by pipeline 1.5 km.
• Total Expenses Rs. 186000/-
• Getting 365/24 fresh drinking water.
• Land irrigated in kharip -50 acre

38. For sustainable development
Difficulties faced & process followed to overcome
• Problems by local Govt.
Authority ( Talathi, Gramsevak)
• Political interference
• MGNREGA implementation
• Community Mobilization

39. For sustainable development
Leveraging for DBI (Scope)
• There is 295 bandharas( DBI sites ) in Nashik District
and total irrigation potential is 36000 Acre.
• MGNREGA
• NABARD- Rural Infrastructure Development Funds
• Government initiative needed

40. For sustainable development
Suggestions to make the DBI program better
• Integrated approaches
• To initiate community institutions and capacity building
of the people
• Market linkage
• Support for community mobilization

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Yuva Mitra,
Mitrangan campus,
Ghoti Sinnar highway
A/ P- Lonarwadi Tal- Sinnar
Dist- Nashik, Maharashtra.
Ph- 02551-204369
9422942799
yuvamitra@rediffmail.com
www.yuvamitra.org