Indian agriculture is mainly dependent on water for irrigation. Farmers in India rely primarily on rainfall and groundwater for irrigation and growing crops. However, inefficient agricultural practices and continuous groundwater extraction are depleting water resources rapidly. One of the biggest problems is that 78% of rainfall runs off into the oceans or on the surface rather than recharging the groundwater.  

Additionally, 44.45% of India’s 141.4 million hectares of cultivable land is used for cultivating water-intensive crops such as rice, sugarcane, cotton, and wheat. The water scarcity crisis is a global problem that will escalate in the future owing to increasing urbanization and industrialization and farmers face the biggest loss.

ACC, the cement and building material company that belongs to the Adani Group took a significant initiative in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra. The farmers of Gowari village, near ACC Chanda, had been facing severe water shortages for farming due to unreliable rainfall and an arid environment. 

Getting water daily for irrigation and other farming activities was a real struggle for farmers. They were getting water only 4 hours a day from the borewell which reduced cultivation and affected income and future. So, ACC came forward through its CSR drive and built a Cement Nala Bund (CNB) to improve water retention and increase the groundwater table.

Initiative

ACC Limited, being a part of Adani Cement, is one of the leading producers of ready-mix concrete and cement in India. The company has channel partners nationwide to serve its customers. ACC prioritizes sustainability above all strategies and is the first Indian company that has signed the Net Zero Pledge with Science-Based Targets. 

ACC and Adani Foundation strongly believe in community support and engagement and engage in various CSR activities in fields such as education, skill development, sustainable livelihood, and community infrastructure.

The Adani Foundation realized the plight of water shortage for the farmers in Yavatmal district and decided to take the initiative to resolve the issue. The company united with Dilasa Janvikas Pratishthan to start a project to build CNB or Cement Nala Bund in Gowari village. 

The main aim of the initiative was to improve water holding and increase groundwater levels to fulfill irrigation requirements. The step taken by ACC Limited towards water conservation and availability is a joint effort of several volunteers who understood the need of CNB and worked towards its completion.

Efforts

Gowari village along with nearby villages in Yavatmal district has been facing various challenges in cropping due to scant or uneven rainfall and limited sources of irrigation. The efforts implemented by ACC Cement in collaboration with Dilasa Janvikas Pratishthan to build 'Naa Bunds' in the Yavatmal district were quite significant. 

Water is the most significant lifeblood of our agricultural economy and ACC played a crucial role in sustainable water management in the area. ACC has prioritized water conservation as one of the main tasks of its CSR, which is to understand the vital need for storing and managing water. 

The project is a result of a series of advanced thinking and community engagements by ACC, its volunteers, and other parties involved in working for the social cause.

The continuous efforts made by ACC and its sincere volunteers have resulted in fruitful consequences. The project was completed in 2023-24 and the built CNB has resulted in a significant transformation. 

The water level in the nearby wells and borewells has risen to 4-6 feet which ensures water availability for irrigation and other purposes for more than 10 months a year. This has increased the agricultural productivity in the region significantly.

Impact

The impact of the project of building ‘Nala Bunds’ in the Yavatmal district can also be seen in nearby villages including Wani, Shindoa, and Chanakha along Gowari villages. Productivity in kharif and rabi crops has now increased to 3-4 quintals per acre with the help of higher water retention, increased groundwater level, and more water availability. 

With the support of ACC and Adani Group, farmers in the region now have access to water for at least 7-8 hours as compared to only 4 hours a day before. This has enabled them to increase their per quintal cultivation area, diversify crops such as growing chillies and rice, and increase yields. 

The farmers now have increased access to improved farm inputs and more livestock assets. Water accessibility has affected the type of crops produced of premium quality. The project has supported the rural economy of the region significantly.

Additionally, farmers in the region have reported an increase of approximately Rs 2 -3 lakh in overall income that has resulted in their economic upliftment. This has enhanced their economic stability and living conditions. Water availability and retention have also ensured the safeguarding of water resources for the present and future generations of the farmers. 

In all, the project of constructing 'Nala Bunds' has affected around 25 hectares of agricultural land owned by 18 farmers from Gowari village. Moreover, the project has supported and contributed to the farmers in other sectors including food processing, crop transportation, and even energy sectors by making their crop produce available easily. The project has not only enhanced the overall standard of livelihood of Gowari village but also raised hope within the community.

Way Ahead

The commitment of ACC and Adani Group towards society and the community at large is evident from the efforts made by them in the CNB project. ACC has also been making sustainable efforts through its CSR activities to get positive and life-changing results for society. 

Apart from water management, the group also focuses on other core areas such as education, health, and food security for the unattended sections of society through CSR initiatives.

In the future, ACC and Adani Foundation have a strong commitment to using water responsibly and conserving it for the present and future generations. They promise to make a meaningful impact on water management through sustainable efforts.