Water is more than a resource – it’s the lifeline of rural India. For thousands of small and marginal farmers, the presence (or absence) of water can determine whether a crop thrives or fails, whether a family prospers or struggles. At the Centre for Collective Development (CCD), we’ve learned that true rural transformation begins with water security.
The Problem: Declining Water Access in Rural Communities
In many parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, farmers face two recurring challenges — drying water sources and reduced soil fertility. Years of silt build-up in ponds and lakes have lowered their storage capacity, while erratic rainfall has made it even harder to sustain crops through the growing season. This crisis pushes farmers towards higher fertiliser use and expensive borewell drilling, often trapping them in debt.
CCD’s Water Rejuvenation Model
Our approach is simple yet transformative:
- Desilt Waterbodies to restore their original capacity
- Apply Removed Silt to Farmland to improve soil health and reduce fertiliser needs
- Create Community Ownership so the maintenance is farmer-led, not dependent on outside agencies
By working through cooperatives, CCD ensures that water projects are planned, implemented, and maintained by the very communities that benefit from them.
The Impact So Far (March 2021 – Present)
- ₹7.6 Crores invested in water rejuvenation projects
- 3.8 million CuM of silt removed – restoring 3.8 billion litres of water storage capacity
- 952 acres of waterbodies desilted and restored
- 19,050 acres of farmland treated with nutrient-rich silt
- 4,000 farmers engaged, 80% of them women
- 138 gram panchayats directly impacted
This isn’t just about numbers – every restored pond means more crop cycles, reduced input costs, and renewed hope for a community.
Farmer Stories: From Scarcity to Security
In Warangal, Telangana, one cooperative saw their local tank fill to the brim for the first time in over a decade after CCD’s rejuvenation work. Farmers who once relied on borewells are now irrigating two crop cycles from stored rainwater, cutting irrigation costs by nearly half.
Why This Model Works
The success of CCD’s water rejuvenation lies in its cooperative-first approach. Projects are funded by a mix of farmer contributions and sustainable partnerships, ensuring no dependency on short-term aid. The result is a self-sustaining water management system that keeps delivering benefits year after year.
The Bigger Picture: Water as a Catalyst for Rural Prosperity
With water security comes a ripple effect better yields, reduced migration to cities, improved incomes, and stronger rural economies. By turning water into wealth, CCD is helping thousands of farmers not just survive but thrive.