India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the apex body for the pulses and grains industry in India, has launched a major water resource revival project in drought-hit villages of the Marathwada region in Maharashtra.
Marathwada is a key pulse producing region in the country.
The project involves widening and deepening of the riverbeds and nallahs in these villages to ensure that rain water is captured in the riverbed for it to percolate into the surrounding soil. This will not only improve the water table in the soil but will also replenish the water in the wells and bore wells of the villages, making enough drinking water available to villagers.
The last two years have seen inordinate rise in pulse prices in India due to continued drought conditions in many pulse growing regions of the country.
The project which was inaugurated by Rao saheb Patil Danve, Member of Parliament is being executed in 6 villages of Bhokardan Taluka in Jalna District viz., Bhokardan, Shipora Bazaar, Pimpalgaon Renukai, Kolhapur, Kolegaon & Malegaon and Paradh. In Phulambri Taluka of Aurangabad District, the project is being executed in 3 villages viz., Wanegaon, Daregaon Dari and Manmodi.
Mr. Bimal Kothari, Vice Chairman – IPGA speaking about the project said, “Marathwada is one of the leading pulse producing region in India and is facing its third consecutive year of drought leading to severe depletion in the water table affecting the overall production of pulses. As the apex body for the pulses trade, we believe that it is our duty and responsibility to step in and help the farmers to the best possible extent in this difficult situation.”
