Caritas India along with the National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) launched the Integrated Watershed Management Scheme (IWMS) in Jharkhand to improve agricultural productivity and increase farmer income of 510 small farm families.

The launch programme began on August 11^th, 2019 with an aim to focus on awareness and sensitization on the use of land and water resources to provide desired inputs and services without adversely affecting the biodiversity. The programme aimed to adopt a common strategy of multi resource management by involving community and relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively to develop a plan with localised solutions that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Honourable Manish Kumar IAS, Gumla (trainee) graced the program as the Chief Guest, along with Mr. Jay Nigam, Deputy General Manager (DGM), NABARD, Jharkhand, Mr. Nishith Kumar, District Development Manager (DDM), NABARD Gumla, Mr. S. K. Sai, Lead District Manager, Gumla, Caritas India & Naya Savera Vikas Kendra representatives. 463 farmers from all five villages also participated in the event.

“Jal hai to Kal hai”; with this slogan, honourable chief guest Manish Kumar IAS, motivated all the farmers to come forward and contribute towards this conservation approach. He extended his gratitude to both NABARD and CARITAS INDIA for taking this national mandate in such remote locations where people are deprived of many entitlements and amenities.

Mr. Jay Nigam, DGM NABARD also shared the purpose of IWMS and how community can take benefit out of it by focusing more on the local contributions and ownership of resources for their future generations.

Caritas India’s efforts in establishing community-managed seed and grain banks in all 10 villages and making smallholders more resilient to climate change over the years was appreciated by the honourable guests while visiting the stalls of traditional farm produces presented alongside the event.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

The IWMS is a built-on program of agrarian prosperity program and farmers producer organisation, consists of five most vulnerable villages (Bajra, Koinardan, Pithartoli, Rokedega & Lotwa) of Palkot, Gumla in Jharkhand. The total area of the micro watershed is almost 2502.97 hectare. The major focus will be on soil and water conservation measures by building capacity of the community to ensure the ownership of resources.

Honorable delegates planted trees at the community centre and initiate the farm bunding work on Shramdan basis at Rokedega village.