High-impact mega watershed project in Nanded aims to double farmers’ income

Chhatrapti Sambhajinagar: A high-impact mega watershed project is being set up in Nanded with an aim to double farmers' income. Nanded, Kandhar, Kinwat, Loha, Mukhed and Hadgaon talukas of Nanded district are part of the project, which, in total, covers 26 talukas from five districts. Besides Nanded, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia and Yavatmal districts also feature in the project. "The main objective of the project is to strengthen the gram panchayats and support the local bodies in planning, monitoring and implementing watershed development and other works," a release from the state commissioner for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) said. The project, to be implemented over 5 years, envisages providing irrigation facilities to farmers and, in turn, increasing their income. A total of 878 micro-watersheds would be developed in 26 talukas, through which 4.39 lakh hectares of land would be irrigated. The project aims to educate stakeholders about effective planning and implementation at the district level, maintaining soil moisture through soil and water conservation, reducing dependence on rainwater, promoting multi-cropping systems, and creating sustainable and productive structures under the MGNREGS. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Axis Bank Foundation, Bharat Gramin Jeevika Foundation and the state commissioner of MGNREGS under the guidance of the chief minister for executing the project.