Average monthly income of rural households marks 57.6% spike: NABARD
According to NABARD’s latest All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS), the annual average nominal GDP growth during the same period was 9%.
NABARD on Wednesday announced to launch a major Water Campaign during the current year, covering around 1,00,000 villages in vulnerable/water stressed areas and more specifically where the ground water is over exploited.
NABARD Manager and Public Relations Officer Manavpreet Singh said the decision comes on the heels of a similar campaign undertaken last year which covered some 40,000 villages and received encouraging response at the field level.
“Since NABARD has been implementing a large number of watershed development projects in various states and the rural communities in these areas would sensitised on important local key technologies for efficient conservation and management of water resources,” he said.
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Manavpreet said the campaign would essentially focus on creating awareness among the rural community about the methods of water conservation, preservation and its efficient utilisation at various levels. The use of modern technologies like micro irrigation (more crop per drop), traditional water management practices, adopting improved package of agronomic practices, etc would also be shared with them.
He said as a part of the campaign, area specific contents covering different water management practices applicable to local conditions for various agro climatic regions, with emphasis on community participation, is being developed.
“Besides this, NABARD proposes to identify Village Volunteers (Jal Doots) for a localized and more effective approach. These volunteers will increase awareness about various methods of rain water harvesting, efficient water use, recharging groundwater and integrated farming systems besides facilitating creation of water conservation structures and adoption of water efficient practices/technologies,” he said.
He said such initiatives would be linked with ongoing schemes of the government. Involvement of bank branches, government departments, extension agencies and other stakeholders during the campaign process is expected to give impetus to this initiative.
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