IMPACT STUDY OF SOLAR BASED LIFT IRRIGATIONIN SOHAGPUR BLOCK (MP)

Abstract

The Study is conducted to see impact of Solar Lift Irrigation System (SLIS) on farmers livelihood and income. the project takes place in a small region Sohagpur block of Shahdol (MP); in Sohagpur block 46 SLIS has been installed which is impacting 30 villages with 250 families with a total of more than 200 acres of cultivated area. Before this intervention farmers usually used the T.C. Connection pump or diesel pump for irrigation, but it was costly and not feasible after this intervention there was a huge change in their life and farming. Some of the beneficiaries changed their cropping patterns and some of them increased their variety of crops. Before this, they depend on rain-fed paddy production only, but they are producing vegetables, wheat, chana, paddy, arhar, etc. SLIS has been distributed here in small groups so everyone can benefit from it, thus an increase in their income and livelihood can be seen there. Some farmers also started brick manufacturing units on their farms as a side business to increase their livelihood and income. As Solar energy is form of renewable energy so it can be future for human in upcoming days and for farmers it is very helpful now, they do not need to suffer from lack of electricity or they don't need take risk in night for irrigation purpose only because of availability of electricity in Night now they can irrigate their farm in day as per their convenience even in summer time they are now able to do farming with different types of crops.