Farmers facing the dual challenge of monsoon waterlogging and dry-season irrigation shortages can utilize the Bhungroo irrigation system. This innovation allows growers to capture surplus rainfall that would otherwise flood fields and store it safely underground, creating a seasonal water bank for later use.
How the Bhungroo Irrigation System Works
The system is designed as a practical solution to water scarcity. It operates through a simple, localized process:
- Collection: A cemented pit is constructed to catch excess surface water during heavy rains.
- Filtration and Injection: Collected water is filtered and directed into a pipe drilled up to 100 metres deep.
- Storage: The water is pushed into suitable underground aquifer layers, where it remains until needed.
- Extraction: During the dry months, farmers can pump this stored water back to the surface for irrigation.
By keeping water underground, the system significantly reduces evaporation losses and protects standing crops from waterlogging. In saline-affected areas, this process can also help reduce groundwater salinity, potentially increasing land productivity.
Custom Design Based on Local Conditions
There is no one-size-fits-all design for this technology. Because soil types, slopes, and underground aquifer conditions vary from farm to farm, each unit must be custom-engineered. Local knowledge from farmers is critical to identifying the correct location and implementation strategy for each system.
Empowering Women Farmers
A key model for implementation involves groups of five women farmers. Under this arrangement, the system may be installed on one member's land, but the stored water is shared among the group. This collaborative approach has enabled many women to increase their annual harvests to two or three times a year, enhancing both food security and household income. Organizations like Naireeta Services have been instrumental in placing women at the center of these management groups to ensure equitable access to irrigation.
Impact and Recognition
Since the first version was developed in 2004, the technology has expanded beyond Gujarat to other Indian states and countries including Bangladesh, Ghana, and Vietnam. The system has earned international recognition, including a UN Momentum for Change award and the World Bank India Development Marketplace award, for its ability to help farmers adapt to unpredictable rainfall patterns.
