At a time when depleting groundwater level and shortage of rain are taking a toll on cultivation, forcing many farmers to have a rethink on farming, a farmer at Perumukha at Badidaka in Kasaragod is gaining attention by developing a rainwater harvesting system on his farmland.
Ishwara Bhat, 63, who left his engineering job to become a farmer over three decades ago, has converted a part of his 16-acre farmland into a reservoir. It helps him meet his water requirements for agriculture throughout the year. He converted over 70 cents into a reservoir that holds over 80 lakh litres of rainwater.
Bhat says the reservoir, 160 ft long, 70 ft wide, and 30 ft deep, was constructed at an estimate of ₹11 lakh. Tarpaulin is used to ensure that water is collected properly and there is no seepage.
