Endline Report

Promoting Low-Carbon Agricultural Practices in Uttar Pradesh

Community-based solar-powered irrigation systems

Contents
Executive Summary:.............................................................................................................................2
Key highlights till date:.........................................................................................................................2
Increased adoption of regenerative farming practices:.......................................................................2
Capacity Building:.................................................................................................................................3
Effects/Impact/Outcomes:...................................................................................................................3
Learning:...............................................................................................................................................5
Scalability Plan:.....................................................................................................................................6
Case studies:..........................................................................................................................................7
Community-owned solar-powered irrigation system............................................................................7
Executive Summary:
In the second year of implementation, the focus was on implementing the most promising and
feasible LCA strategies, based on the learning and experience of the first year of the project. The
paddy crop in the kharif season was badly affected due to mid-season drought and unseasonal
rainfall during harvest. Activities during the second half of the year were focused on improving soil
health, imparting training on improved and efficient techniques for rice, such as Direct Seeded Rice
(DSR), System of Rice Intensification (SRI), nursery growing through raised bed method, seed
shorting by salt water method and improved wheat cultivation through line sowing using seed drills
and System of Wheat Intensification (SWI), decentralised bio input preparation and use in field, and
the establishment of two women-led Bio Input Resource Centres (BRC) as a platform for making bio
inputs available for farming households. In collaboration with NCNF, a state chapter of the National
Coalition for Natural Farming (NCNF) was established in Uttar Pradesh, with 21 CSOs working on
sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

Performance against tracker

Indicator Target Actual

# Number of farmers adopting at
least 2 natural farming
interventions
# of farmers adopting clean energy
Biogas for cooking food
to reduce enteric emissions
# Number of Farmers adopting
community based solar-powered
irrigation systems
6,000 farmers 6177 farmers have adopted
at least two LCA practices
170 farmers 170 farmers have successfully
adopted Biogas.
62 group solar irrigation 62 solar irrigation systems
systems successfully established
benefiting 1013 farmers in
1155 acre area

Key highlights till date:

Increased adoption of regenerative farming practices:
1. Training of Lead Farmers by Kelkar brothers (technical partners for farming training on
regenerative farming practices) have been completed on schedule this year and farmers
have been trained on all the modules which consisted of seed treatment, better sowing
practices, composting, pest management, bio input preparation, biochar preparation, etc.
2. Sowing practices were improved in the rabi season through promotion of reduced tillage and
System of Wheat Intensification (SWI). Around 1181 farmers have adopted reduced tillage
practice in 2132 bighas (426.4 acres) of land while SWI has been adopted by 391 farmers this
season in 609 bighas (121.8 acres) of land.
3. As nutrition is an important attribute for household wellbeing, 1500 families were supported
to have a nutrition garden at home. Families which did not have enough space in their home
were supported to grow vegetables in “grow bags”. This initiative has ensured year around
supply of vegetable to the household. Apart from this direct support to the family we have
 conducted village level nutrition campaign in 54 project village for generating awareness
regarding diet diversity at family level.
4. In year 2022, twenty (41) micro irrigation systems were established for better water
management. 30 farmers were also taken on an exposure visit to Jalgaon, Maharashtra on
centre for excellence of Jain Irrigation for better understanding of water management
through method demonstration and hands on practices.
5. Biogas has the potential to replace costly Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) in rural areas and is a
clean energy source. Till March 2023, Sixty (170) bio-gas plants have been installed and are
operational in the project villages. Biogas slurry is also used by farmers in their agricultural
plots. Slurry provides nutrition to the crop, and from some farmers perspective it also keeps
stray animals at bay. At some places, the slurry is used to make “Matka khad” in Farmer
Field School (FFS) which is then used by all the members of Farmer Field School. An
additional 100 beneficiaries have been identified for biogas installation in project villages
with the support of other doner agency to caried low carbon activities ahead.
6. Instead of promoting individual solar pumps, group solar based irrigation is being promoted.
It reduces the irrigation cost, improves water use efficiency, and reduces the carbon
footprint. 62 group solar irrigation systems have been installed and are operational. As on
date, 1013 farmers are associated with solar sinchai committees – solar powered irrigation is
currently covering 1155 acres of farmland.
7. Stray/Wild animals have been a significant problem for farmers in this landscape. To resolve
this problem two solar fence energisers (jhatka machine) have been tried this year covering
20 acres of land. The results have been positive till now and animals are entering cropland.

Capacity Building:
Water management for agriculture- Water management for agriculture- In climate-resilient
agriculture, solar irrigation is playing a vital role and in association with this project is also 2021
promotes solar-based group irrigation in working villages to promote a carbon-free and efficient
source of lift irrigation. During the respective quarter, the project team has intensively focused to
make aware the farmers of solar-based group irrigation, its significance, and about overall
implications on the cost of irrigation. The water management training is executed in a cluster-level
approach.

During the exposure visit to solar irrigation and Biogas, farmers get exposure to in external agency
Jal Gaov, Maharastra. Where they learned water management and effective operation of Solar
irrigation, water uses efficiency and Biogas input.

Financial Management: The farmers have been trained in financial management at the cluster level
by internally. How they will manage and keep their solar effective and user-friendly, keep book
records, reconciliation of income and expenditure, smooth operational, and sustainable

Effects/Impact/Outcomes:
Catering the farmers need and realizing the current issues in which farmers indulge and facing the
problems regarding farming practices, high input cost, availability of required resources, productivity
challenges, better price realization of farm income etc. AKF has promoted 120 farmer field schools in
60 project villages, organised more than 6000 members are part of this platform. The FFS model was
designed for groups of farmers for dissemination of knowledge, exchange of thoughts/ideas,
demonstration of best practices, moreover, to enhance agency among farmers as a collective and
collaborative actions. Regular meetings were ensured with FFS members and a trained
facilitator/Community Resource Person (CRP) is imparting practical seasons with them. To overcome
the input challenges, collective production of bio inputs has been formulated though Bio Input
Resource Centers (BRC’s) from where farmers can purchase environment friendly inputs for crop
production and soil fertility enhancement.

The renewable energy program has established 62 community-based solar-powered irrigation

systems in two blocks covering 1155 acres and benefiting 1013 farmers. Farmers in India currently
depend heavily on grid-connected electricity and diesel pumps engine for irrigating their crops.
Agriculture is the mainstay of Bahraich district. The average landholding size is low. Many small and
marginal farmers rent diesel pumps, and it is costly affaire for them and emit carbon. Community-
owned and manged solar irrigation systems are environmentally friendly and affordable for farmers
collective. It provides them accessible, affordable, and assured timely irrigation for irrigating crops.
Now farmers are turning to grow high-value crops throughout the year, it also increases cropping
intensity and farm income.  

Solar-powered irrigation systems are less labour intensive and reduce water percolation loss due to
buried pipelines. it translates as increased income. Solar irrigation system is eco-friendly as there is
zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. Approximately 120 diesel pumps have been uninstalled in the
project catchment area and received alternate source of irrigation through Solar Group Irrigation
System. Activities implemented under the Unnat Kheti programme are creating value among the
farmers and minimizing the challenges faced by the farmers in intervention area. Adoption of
regenerative agricultural practice has been increased through Unnat kheti programme. The spill
over effect of this programme is going beyond the defined intervention area and farmers from non-
intervention villages are also keen to learn and adopt the programme activities, it expressed the
significant change has been made through the Unnat Kheti programme.

Biogas –
170 biogas have been established in the project villages biogas provides a sustainable way
for individual households with livestock to reduce their dependence on firewood and fossil
fuels. People - especially women and children - save time and money by no longer having to
collect firewood or purchase fuel for cooking or chemical fertilizers for farming. Broader
advantages include reduced deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions and improved
public health as indoor air pollution is a major cause of illness.

Farmers are using bio-slurry on their farms land also benefiting from improved soils. They
also sequester carbon in the soil, another contribution to mitigating climate change. This
activity addresses simultaneously mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Biogas and slurry have important benefits-

Learning:

 Replacing expensive chemical fertilizers, reducing the production cost of small

farmers.
 Improve soil fertility, increase productivity, and reduce vulnerability to droughts and
climate hazards.
 Facilitate growing vegetables nearby the house, improving diets (food nutrition).
 Replaced expensive fossil fuels such as kerosene and LPG, freeing up household
finances, approximately a household saved 10 to 12 thousand.
 Replaced firewood, freeing up time spent to collecting the wood and mitigating the
impact on deforestation.
 Reduce household air pollution.
 Weeding in SRI Plot using Cono Weeder

Sowing using seed drill machine

Scalability Plan:

Since we have established 50 solar schemes in blocks Risia and Chittaura. There is scope for
saturation among these villages. The potential villages identified under the other programs like the
Low Carbon Agriculture program, Flagship program, and Nature-based Solution program. for
scalability. In Bio Biogas similarly will be scaleup up with the Flagship program and Low Carbon
agriculture programme.
Case studies:
Community-owned solar-powered irrigation system
A common eco-friendly solar-powered irrigation system for a group of farmers helps them earn
more while weaning them off polluting diesel pumps or relying on rains. Farmers in India currently
depend heavily on grid-connected electricity and diesel pumps for crop irrigation. Expensive diesel
engines increase farm input costs and contribute to carbon emissions. It was no different for farmers
in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh.

To reduce the cost of irrigation, AKF is supporting the establishment of community-owned solar-

based irrigation systems under the Unnat Kheti programme.

How does a community-owned irrigation system work?

A committee called Sinchai Vikas Samiti is formed in the village. It is basically a user group for a solar
irrigation system and is made up of 15-20 farmers. Each committee has a president, secretary,
treasurer, and a pump operator. The committee also opens a designated group bank account. The
committee forms rules and norms for water user fee and manages the day-to-day functioning of the
system.

Trenching for pipeline, bore well and pump house construction work is then done by the user group
through community contribution. Usage norms include distribution of water as per a member’s
needs, collection of irrigation fee by the operator and depositing the collected amount in the
committee’s bank account. Transparency is maintained by installing water meters to avoid
disputes. There is flexibility in payment – that is a farmer member can delay payments if they are
short of money. In case of consistent non-payment, the farmer does not get water till the
outstanding amount is paid.

Benefits of community-based solar-powered irrigation systems

Community-owned solar irrigation systems are environment friendly and affordable. As they are a
dependable source ensuring access to irrigation, farmers can grow high-value crops throughout the
year.  They are also eco-friendly as there is no carbon dioxide emission. As a result of the installation
of group solar powered irrigation systems in the project area, approximately 120 diesel pumps have
been uninstalled in the project area. Though maintaining equity, uniformity and transparency in the
user groups is a challenge at times, the Sinchai Vikas Samiti promotes active participation of the
farmers, ensuring long-term sustainability of the system. The committee ensures a mutual
responsibility for a common objective. Economic contribution and self-management anchor a sense
of ownership, self-respect, and self-reliance amongst member farmers.
 Group Solar Powered Irrigation System

Impact of the solar-powered irrigation systems

In the Chittaura and Risia administrative blocks of Bahraich district, 62 solar irrigation systems with
flow meters have been installed across 30 villages. These cover 1155 acres of farmland and benefit
1013 farmers.  Water usage is as per crop needs. Farmers pay user fee as per the water meter
reading. User fee is Rs 2 per unit (1,000 cft water), much lower than the cost of irrigation using diesel
pumps. Diesel pumps cost Rs 300-400 bigha per irrigation. Therefore, in a year’s crop season, every
farmer’s irrigation expenditure was Rs 5,000-8,000. After the community-based solar-powered
irrigation systems were installed, the farmers’ annual irrigation expenditure is Rs 800-1,000. Crops
are also irrigated on time, which has increased the yield. As of today, Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 is
deposited in each solar irrigation committee’s account. In all the solar irrigated areas, farmers can
cultivate crops in all the three seasons (rabi, kharif and zaid) on account of the availability of water.

Farmers in this area have started cultivating chilli, okra, brinjal, bitter gourd, bananas, radish,
spinach, cauliflower, and mint, in addition to the traditionally grown wheat, paddy and maize.
Financially also farmers are benefitting from reduced costs through the low irrigation charges and
reduced labour requirements. 

Farmer Testimonial:
Resident of Nibiya Begampur village, Ram Pyari owned five acres of land out of which 3 acres
were barren due to lack of suitable irrigation. But after she joined the regenerative and low-
carbon agriculture programme, she has been able to cultivate the entire land throughout all
seasons. She has also transitioned to natural fertilisers after learning about the bio-resource
input centre and has not purchased any chemical pesticides since. Instead, she has learned
to prepare many different botanical pesticide concoctions.  Ram Pyari saved up to INR
35,000 on chemical pesticides and fertilizers for her entire area.

“I have been able to produce crops like maize, onion and many other vegetables only
after the installation of solar irrigation system"- Ram Pyari didi
 Status of Installation of solar irrigation systems in Chittaura and Risia block
No. of Install
S.N Gram Name of Memb Area in ation
o. Block Panchayat Village Hamlet Group ers Acre status
Chittau
1 ra Phulvariya Gothi Gothi Unnatsheel 23 29.6 Dec-20
Chittau
2 ra Phulvariya Gothi Gothi Haritkranti 28 22.4 Dec-20
Chittau
3 ra Phulvariya Gothi Gothi Khushhali 25 24 Dec-20
Chittau
4 ra Chafaria Chafaria Itiha Pragatisheel 21 20.9 Jun-21
Chittau
5 ra Mallapur Mallapur Mallapur Sheetal 12 15.6 Jun-21
Chittau
6 ra Mallapur Mallapur Mallapur Parivartan 12 14.6 Jun-21
7 Chittau Mallapur Mallapur Mallapur Gangotri 12 13.4 Jun-21
 ra
Balbhaddarp Balbhaddarp
8 Risia ur ur Imam Nagar Adarsh 20 17 Jun-21
Balbhaddarp Balbhaddarp
9 Risia ur ur Faizupurwa Harit Kisan 15 16 Jun-21
Chittau
10 ra Chafaria Chafaria Itiha Hariyali 21 21.6 Dec-21
Chittau
11 ra Chafaria Chafaria Itiha Sarita 19 18 Dec-21
Chittau Shankarpurw Shankarpurw
12 ra Bichhla a a Bairaj 23 22 Dec-21
Chittau Shankarpurw Shankarpurw Amrit
13 ra Bichhla a a varsha 22 18.8 Dec-21
Chittau Suryawali Suryawali
14 ra Raipur purwa purwa Ujjwala 15 20.8 Dec-21
Chittau
15 ra Godni Basayi Godni Basayi Godni Basayi Nirankar 18 15.4 Dec-21
Chittau
16 ra Phulwaria Jagdharbhar Jagdharbhar Varsha 20 20 Dec-21
Chittau
17 ra Mallapur Mallapur Mallapur Narmada 11 20.4 Dec-21
Chittau
18 ra Mallapur Mallapur Mallapur Yamuna 12 18.4 Dec-21
Chittau
19 ra Mallapur Mallapur Mallapur Sadabahar 12 20.2 Dec-21
Chittau Kishanpur Kishanpur
20 ra Mafi Mafi Kishanpur Gangadhar 13 16.4 Dec-21
Chittau Kishanpur Kishanpur
21 ra Mafi Mafi Biviyapur Jaldhara 12 15.6 Dec-21
Parsakharga Parsakharga Parsakharga
22 Risia man man man Adarsh 13 14.8 Dec-21
Parsakharga Parsakharga Baddari
23 Risia man man purwa Gramin 13 15.8 Dec-21
24 Risia Karaunda Karaunda Karaunda Karaunda 18 21 Dec-21
25 Risia Karaunda Karaunda Karaunda Varma 16 20.6 Dec-21
26 Risia Karaunda Karaunda Karaunda Shiv shakti 15 20.2 Dec-21
27 Risia Padri Tara Padri Tara Igharwa Modern 15 19.4 Dec-21
28 Risia Padri Tara Padri Tara Igharwa Igharwa 15 20.6 Dec-21
Bhagat
29 Risia Maharu Maharu Maharu singh 23 22 Dec-21
30 Risia Badgawa Badgawa Bargadia Unnat kheti 17 20.8 Dec-21
31 Risia Bhavni saida Bhavni saida Saida vikas 17 19 Dec-21
Chittau Mar-
32 ra Kurwari Chafaria kidvayipurwa Hariyali -II 21 20.6 22
Chittau Grameen Mar-
33 ra Chafaria Chafaria Bhayapurwa Ajeevika 15 19 22
Chittau Mar-
34 ra Chafaria Chafaria Bhayapurwa Gramodaya 16 19 22
Chittau Suryawali Suryawali Mar-
35 ra Raipur purwa purwa Swabhiman 15 18 22
Unnant
Gawan Mar-
36 Risia Badgawan Bargadiya Bargadiya Kisan Samiti 5 7.6 22
37 Risia Badgawan Bargadiya Bargadiya Verma Kisan 5 8 Mar-
 Samiti 22
Chittau Mar-
38 ra Godni Basayi Godni Basayi Godni Basayi Eklavya 10 6.4 22
Nibiya Nibiya Nibiya 27-
39 Risia Begampur Begampur Begampur Atal 13 13.6 Feb-22
Nibiya Nibiya Nibiya 27-
40 Risia Begampur Begampur Begampur Ujjwal 14 14.6 Feb-22
01-
Khudadadbh Khudadadbh Khudadadbh Mar-
41 Risia ari ari ari Sant Godse 17 19.2 22
01-
Balbhaddarp Mar-
42 Risia ur Nandapurwa Nandapurwa Jal jeevan 15 19 22
Khudadadbh Khudadadbh Khudadadbh
43 Risia ari ari ari Ma Vaishno 15 20.2 Apr-22
Khudadadbh Khudadadbh Khudadadbh Ma Khaga
44 Risia ari ari ari Devi 14 19.6 Apr-22
45 Risia Teliya Teliya Teliya Hind kisan 18 17.4 Apr-22
Balbhaddarp Balbhaddarp
46 Risia ur ur Imam Nagar Unnat kisan 17 16.6 Apr-22
Rimjhim
Chittau sinchayi May-
47 ra Chafaria Chafaria kidvayipurwa vikas samiti 18 17.6 22
Shri Laxmi
Khudadbhari Khudadbhari Khudadbhari Sinchai 15 Mar-
48 Risia Vikas Samiti 20.6 23
Kisan Seva
Mahru Mahru Mahru Sinchai 21 Mar-
49 Risia Vikas Samiti 21.4 23
Pooja
Khudadbhari Khudadbhari Khudadbhari Sinchai 16 Mar-
50 Risia Vikas Samiti 21.6 23
Mahtma
Gandhi
Khudadbhari Khudadbhari Khudadbhari 17
Sinchai Mar-
51 Risia Vikas Samiti 21.8 23
Maan
Jamaluddinjo Jamaluddinjo Jamaluddinjo Bageshwari
15
t t t Sinchai Mar-
52 Risia Vikas Samiti 20.2 23
Samagra
Kisan
Bhadganwa Bhadganwa Bhadganwa 18
Sinchai Mar-
53 Risia Vikas Samiti 20.6 23
Uttam Kisan
Jamaluddinjo Jamaluddinjo Jamaluddinjo
Sinchai 16 Mar-
t t t
54 Risia Vikas Samiti 20 23
Hariyali
Mahru Mahru Mahru Sinchai 19 Mar-
55 Risia Vikas Samiti 21.8 23
Aadi Shakti
Mahru Mahru Mahru Sinchai 20 Mar-
56 Risia Vikas Samiti 21.3 23
Saty Guru
Sinchai Mar-
57 Risia Babhni saida Babhni saida babhni Samiti 16 19.4 23
 Sheetal
Sinchai Mar-
58 Risia Bhaisaha Bhaisaha Sekhapur Vikas Samiti 16 19.2 23
Uttam
Balbhaddarp Balbhaddarp Sinchai Mar-
59 Risia ur ur Imamnagar Vikas Samiti 16 18.8 23
Bismilla
Balbhaddarp Balbhaddarp Sinchai Mar-
60 Risia ur ur Imamnagar Vikas Samiti 17 20 23
Jal Dhara
Balbhaddarp Balbhaddarp Sinchai Mar-
61 Risia ur ur Bankatee Vikas Samiti 18 18.4 23
Chittau Unnat kisan Mar-
62 ra Gulhariya Gulhariya Molbipurwa sichai samiti 17 18 23
Total 1013 1154.8