File picture: Rejuvenated waterbodies and nutrient-rich silt can not only help increase water capacity, but also assist farmers in making the transition to natural farming practices
| Photo Credit:
Akhila Easwaran
Across villages in Bundelkhand, 1,700 farmers are quietly conducting an experiment with national implications. Over the past three years, they have demonstrated how rejuvenated waterbodies, and nutrient-rich silt can not only help increase water capacity but also assist farmers in making the transition to natural farming practices, strengthening farm resilience. Their experience offers important lessons for two of India’s largest rural development priorities: water conservation and sustainable agriculture.Despite receiving nearly 1,000 mm of annual rainfall, Bundelkhand remains among India’s most water-stressed regions. Erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells and the neglect of traditional water structures such as the Chandelkalein and Bundelkalein talabs have reduced the resilience of smallholder farmers, many of whom remain dependent on rainfed agriculture and struggle to take a second crop.NITI Aayog projectA project initiated by NITI Aayog in some of the region’s districts gave these farmers a chance to change that narrative. Through district administrations and local NGOs, farmers were mobilised to transport silt, they describe as “black gold” excavated during machine-led rejuvenation of traditional waterbodies to their own fields. What began as a water conservation effort soon started generating agricultural benefits. Adding the silt allowed farmers to improve soil quality. This was further ameliorated through inputs like Jeevamrut and Beejamrut made and supplied by women-led Bio-Input Resource Centres and local seed banks, which supplied indigenous seeds. Together, these interventions are helping improve productivity and strengthening resilience against erratic rainfall.The work in Bundelkhand offers a template for the entire country. India has more than 24 lakh waterbodies according to the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s census, many of which have suffered years of neglect and periodic siltation. At the same time, Indian agriculture remains heavily dependent on purchased inputs with cost to exchequer predicted at ₹3.5 lakh crore this year alone.Rather than look at these as two separate problems, there is an opportunity to understand their interconnected nature and create solutions that integrate waterbody rejuvenation with soil restoration and natural farming. This would strengthen decentralised water security, ensure the creation of local enterprises, and with the right support, help our farmers transition to climate resilient cultivation practices.2 major missionsIndia operates two major missions with overlapping objectives. Mission Amrit Sarovar, nationally, and specific state schemes like Maharashtra’s flagship Galmukt Dharan, Galyukt Shivar (GDGS) seek to restore and improve water resources across the country. The National Mission on Natural Farming aims to increase adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The experience of these 1,700 farmers suggests they could be far more powerful when designed together.The model is also fiscally relevant. Many states face growing pressure to strengthen rural resilience with limited resources. A model in which farmers voluntarily transport silt because it improves their fields reduces the recurring public cost of desilting. Rural entrepreneurs can help revitalise local economies, while reducing dependence on distant supply chains. A model in which existing ponds are rejuvenated brings the twin benefits of increasing water availability – both surface and under the ground in the aquifers, while supporting sustainable agriculture delivers resilient incomes to farmers without requiring entirely new infrastructure. The asset base already exists; what is needed is convergence and local ownership.The Bundelkhand farmers are teaching us an important lesson: water security and sustainable agriculture should not be designed in separate silos.Mishra is the founder of grassroots organisation Arunoday Sansthan; Maru and Kasturi Rangan work with A.T.E. Chandra Foundation.Published on August 22, 2026
