The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Farm ponds help enrich groundwater

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Farm ponds help enrich groundwater

Staff Reporter

Five such ponds were formed in Bhavani agricultural division

ERODE: The rainfed agricultural lands in Bhavani division witnessed a novel scenario with farm ponds coming up as major water harvesting structures.

“The Agricultural Department Field staff were asked to make the farmers aware of the benefits of farm ponds," said the Assistant Director of Agriculture R. Kandasamy on Monday. He said the farm ponds not only helped recharge groundwater, but also provided water cattle in rural parts.

The dryland farmers could also resort to vegetable cultivation by utilizing the water available in the farm ponds. Regarding the formation of the ponds, the Kandasamy said that on receiving the applications from the small and marginal farmers, the agriculture department would arrange for the formation of the farm ponds by digging the soil in the farmer’s patta land. A big pond will cost Rs. 4,650 and a small one will cost Rs 2750.

Mr. Kandasamy said that five such ponds were formed in Bhavani agricultural division during this year.

They are still ready to make as many ponds as possible, for which the farmers should approach the officials and present them an application. He said that the ground water level has improved due to the formation of such ponds.

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