Women Development Trust

Ecology

Anantapur District is in the arid agro-ecological zone with a normal rainfall of 540 mm. Being located in the rain shadow region, the district doesn’t fully benefit from either of the monsoons. Rainfall is not only erratic but is also unevenly distributed causing a negative effect on crop productivity. It is estimated that 63 per cent of the total geographical area of the district is covered by sandy loam followed by 14 per cent under rock land and 19 per cent under clay. Larger areas in the district have coarse soil-surface texture which is poor in water and nutrient retention and is highly prone for wind and water erosion. Mostly rainfed farming is prevailing since there are no perennial rivers providing canal irrigation. The vegetative area of the district is about 10.5 percent against the required 34 percent. Recurring droughts and decline in pasture lands have led to dwindling livestock population.

• 265 water bodies such as check-dams and percolation tanks, have been constructed or renovated so far, out of which 15 were built during the year 2011. It is estimated about 0.223 million cusecs of water is stored through various water bodies built by the organization.
• Farmers availed 18,66,384 different species of fruit saplings such as Mango, Sapota, Ber, Custard Apple, Allaneredu and Amla covering an extent of 11,665 hectares of land in Anantapur district up to the end of 2011.
• As part of conserving underground water resources and ensuring its optimum and scientific utilization, WDT promoted ‘Modern Micro Irrigation Systems’ namely drip and sprinklers. As many as 3,271.6 hectares of land were covered under drip irrigation benefiting 2,344 farmers spread across 248 villages. Similarly 2218 sprinkler irrigation sets were distributed covering an extent of 2218 hectares in 63 Villages up to the end of 2011.
• One of the initiatives of the organization is introduction of solar irrigation for tapping underground water resources. A total of 122 solar units were installed and commissioned covering an extent of 513.05 hectares of land belonging to 224 farmers in 83 Villages up to the end of 2011.
• As many as 966 biogas units were setup in collaboration with NEDCAP as part of promoting non-conventional energy resources.
• Women accessed 1,299 improved varieties of Milch Cattle (Cross-bred Jersey Cows/Graded Murrah Buffaloes) as part of asset creation and sustainable income to families under ecological interventions.