Integrated land and water planning reverses migration of tribal communities in the Ganga Basin

By Ramesh Singh, Kaushal K Garg, K H Anantha, A Venkataradha, Matthew McCartney, Arun S, Shishuvendra Kumar, and Mangi Lal Jat

In Poora Birdha village, located in the Bundelkhand region of Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh, tribal farmers faced severe challenges due to acute water scarcity and recurrent droughts. Groundwater levels had declined and most hand-dug wells were dry. These environmental stresses triggered widespread migration, with many farmers abandoning their land and moving to nearby towns and cities in search of work. This exodus left the village desolate and agricultural lands fallow. However, in 2019, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), partnered with the Government of Uttar Pradesh under a national agricultural development program, the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), to rejuvenate the landscape.

Rejuvenating the landscape: a holistic approach

To address the water crisis and restore agricultural productivity, ICRISAT employed a comprehensive approach that combined land resource inventory and hydrological assessments. Working across the landscape, the team employed a combination of on-site and off-site natural resource management practices to improve water availability and soil health. One of the more impactful measures introduced was the construction of large-scale field bunding and masonry field drainage structures to manage excess runoff, enhance groundwater recharge and reduce soil erosion. A water-budget approach helped design sustainable and diversified cropping systems tailored to the available water resources. These efforts resulted in a significant improvement in water availability. Water levels in shallow dug wells rose by 5 to 8 meters compared to the previous levels.

Promoting diversified livelihoods and economic revival

As a part of the project, ICRISAT also conducted participatory demonstrations for farmers, focusing on alternative livelihoods such as fodder and vegetable cultivation. Agroforestry models including fruit trees were introduced, enabling farmers to diversify their sources of income and improve overall soil health. These changes transformed around 250 acres of previously fallow land into productive fields, generating an estimated net return of USD 100,000 annually for the region, significantly boosting the local economy.

The economic revival had broader social impacts. As farming became more profitable, families could afford to send their children to school, and farmers started constructing pacca (permanent) houses, improving their living standards. Additionally, many farmers purchased milch animals (i.e. cows and buffaloes), further enhancing their livelihoods through dairy production.

Integrating conservation and climate resilience with NEXUS Gains

The project’s success highlights the importance of integrating landscape-based conservation technologies with field-scale climate-resilient interventions. To further this effort, the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains partnered with ICRISAT to incorporate advanced climate resilience strategies into the project. NEXUS Gains facilitated continuous monitoring of hydrological processes through state-of-the-art instrumentation, allowing for real-time data on water availability and usage, thereby enhancing adaptive management.

The story of reverse migration: a farmer’s transformation

The case of Chhotelal Saharia from Poora Birdha village stands as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of landscape rejuvenation and integrated conservation efforts. In 2018, Chhotelal, like many others in the village, was forced to migrate due to the dire water shortage that made farming impossible. Working as a laborer in nearby towns, he earned a meager USD 250 annually.

However, after the landscape rejuvenation project was implemented, his life began to change. The construction of a traditional haveli system (a rainwater harvesting structure) near his field helped replenish his dug well, significantly improving water availability. Encouraged by the changes, Chhotelal returned to his farm and resumed agricultural activities.

In the Rabi season (i.e. after the monsoon), he cultivated wheat on 3 acres of land, yielding 45 quintals. He sold 35 quintals at USD 28 per quintal, earning a net income of USD 963. During the kharif (monsoon) season, he planted groundnut on 3.5 acres, producing 25 quintals, from which he earned USD 1,000. Additionally, Chhotelal diversified his income by selling Mahua fruits (worth USD 250) and engaging in brick-making (earning USD 1,875).

Furthermore, Chhotelal adopted fruit and timber-based agroforestry on his farm, cultivating teak, guava, mango, acacia, bamboo, and lemon. He also implemented live fencing around his farm boundary to protect crops and improve land productivity. These interventions not only revived his agricultural activities but also strengthened his economic resilience. With his improved financial situation, Chhotelal  was able to invest in his family’s future, proudly seeing both his daughter and son get married.

This economic diversification, enabled by improved water availability and agricultural practices, allowed Chhotelal to rebuild his life, turning his story into one of successful reverse migration.

The power of integrated solutions

The success of the landscape rejuvenation project in Poora Birdha village is a shining example of how integrated approaches create sustainable, climate-resilient solutions. By implementing integrated water and natural resource management practices, local farmers have been able to rejuvenate their agricultural lands, reverse migration, and improve their livelihoods.

Dr Ramesh Singh is Principal Scientist (Landscape Resource Conservation) and Cluster Leader – ICRISAT Development Center; Dr Kaushal K Garg is Principal Scientist (hydrology) – ICRISAT Development Center; Dr K H Anantha is Principal Scientist (NRM) – ICRISAT Development Center; Dr A Venkataradha is Senior Scientist (Vadose Zone Hydrologist) – ICRISAT Development Center; Matthew McCartney is Research Group Leader, International Water Management Institute; Arun S is Senior Scientific Officer – ICRISAT Development Center; Shishuvendra Kumar is Scientific Officer – ICRISAT Development Center; Dr Mangi Lal Jat is Global Research Program Director, Resilient Farm and Food Systems, ICRISAT.

Hydrological process monitoring through state-of-the-art instrumentation was carried out under the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains, which is grateful for the support of CGIAR Trust Fund contributors: www.cgiar.org/funders

Header image: Hand-dug well with recovered water level in the Bundelkhand region, Uttar Pradesh, India. Photo by Ashok Shukla.