SBI Raita Bandhu Project boosts water conservation

Gadag: SBI Foundation constructed 380 farm ponds in Gadag district under the ‘SBI Raita Bandhu Project', strengthening water conservation and agricultural development. Desilting of 22 village ponds was completed, benefiting small and marginal farmers. Both works happened in the last three years.Swapan Dhar, managing director and CEO, SBI Foundation, said that the SBI Foundation strives towards the holistic development of rural areas, and its ‘Raitha Bandhu' initiative in Gadag district, in partnership with SRDS, stands as a testament to its commitment to farmers' welfare. The unique initiative is envisioned to empower farmers by carrying out watershed development in the drought-prone district and impacted thousands of farmers in the region by improving access to irrigation facilities. "The work highlights the need for collaborative initiatives," he added.Sharanappagouda Marigoudar, a farmer in Pethalur village, said that the major benefit of village pond development, taken up by SBI Foundation, is soil conservation. "Since the silt was removed, farmers can apply nutrient-rich soil to their agricultural fields. This practice improved soil fertility, reduced soil erosion, and helped farmers save approximately 30–40% on chemical fertiliser costs, thereby increasing farm incomes," he shared.Pramodgouda Patil, a farmer in Hallikeri, said that village pond rejuvenation contributed to livestock welfare by ensuring year-round availability of drinking water for animals. "Moreover, the presence of water in village ponds reduced the movement of wild animals such as deer and peacocks into human settlements, thereby minimising human–wildlife conflict," he noted.Chidanand Korishettar, a resident of Bidaralki, said that an excavator was provided as support in Mundaragi taluk exclusively for the construction of farm ponds. "The facility enables farmers to construct farm ponds free of cost, thereby expanding access to water conservation infrastructure and enhancing agricultural resilience," he asserted.Sikandar Meeranaik, CEO, Sankalpa Rural Development Society, which is the implementation agency of ‘Raita Bandhu', said that apart from SBI Foundation's works, 30 additional farm ponds were constructed through other CSR-supported projects, and desilting works were carried out at community lakes in 13 villages. "Through these combined efforts, we implemented desilting of ponds in a total of 35 villages and supported the construction of 410 farm ponds across Gadag district. As a result, more than 55,000 people, including farmers and rural households, benefited directly and indirectly from these interventions. Villages such as Pethalur, Venkatapur, Haitapur, Eklaspur, and Hallikeri in the Mundargi block are heavily dependent on ponds for drinking water. Hence, water conservation initiatives, including pond development, desilting, and rejuvenation, are of critical importance in this region. Further strengthening these efforts, under the SBI Raita Bandhu Project of SBI Foundation," he explained.