On 13 September, 2023, Dr Adarsh Singh, IAS, Commissioner of Jhansi Division, led a delegation of department officers to witness the ongoing work under the ICRISAT- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana(RKVY) – Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP) Project in Bhadokhar village in Jhansi district.
Dr Ramesh Singh, Principal Scientist and Cluster Lead, ICRISAT Development Center, provided insights into the project’s origins and the science-driven approach to rejuvenate 40 villages encompassing approximately 28,000 hectares in Tahrauli.
Dr Ramesh Singh highlighted that over 90% of the 6,000 open wells had dried up due to depleted aquifers. However, these wells were rapidly recharged through water harvesting in the haveli system. The villagers noted that the water, once salty in taste, had transformed into a sweet and potable source following this critical intervention.
During the visit, the Commissioner of Jhansi also had the opportunity to meet with the ICRISAT field team and engage with the local farmers. He commended ICRISAT’s dedication to using innovative techniques to revitalize the larger landscape, ultimately benefiting villagers and the agricultural community.
