Local farmer engagement key to water management, says Nagaland University study

India Today

07-07-2025

A new study by Nagaland University has revealed that the long-term success of Aquifer Recharge and Recovery (ASR) projects depends significantly on the involvement of local farming communities. The research has stressed that groundwater management cannot be a purely technical solution but must also be driven by social and institutional engagement.The study, recently published in the journal Societal Impacts, examined the socio-environmental effects of ASR through a pilot project in South Bihar.advertisementIt found that when local farmers were actively engaged and maintained shared ownership of recharge pits, water availability improved, crop diversity increased, and communities gained socio-economic benefits.COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION CRITICAL FOR LONG-TERM RESULTS
Led by Prof Prabhakar Sharma of Nagaland University, the study found that success was not uniform. In Meyar, farmers took active responsibility for maintaining recharge pits and saw clear benefits. In contrast, in Nekpur, where farmers lacked trust in the technology and did not maintain the pits, ASR structures fell into disuse.Prof Sharma stated, 'Unlike many prior studies that mainly focus on the technical feasibility and hydrogeological aspects of ASR, this research distinctly foregrounds the social, institutional and policy dimensions critical for sustainable implementation.'SOUTH BIHAR PILOT DEMONSTRATED SOCIO-ECONOMIC GAINSThe pilot study, supported by a grant from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, found that ASR significantly improved groundwater recharge, made irrigation more reliable, and enabled additional cropping cycles, thereby improving farmer incomes.The average cost of setting up an ASR pit was approximately USD 400, making it a relatively affordable solution. However, due to financial constraints, most farmers preferred external support or public funding to initiate the process.EXPERTS CALL FOR ADAPTIVE POLICY AND INCLUSIVE PLANNINGCo-author Dr Aviram Sharma of the University of Vigo, Spain, emphasised the need for tailor-made strategies: 'Future interventions must incorporate localised adaptation strategies, financial mechanisms for farmer participation, and long-term monitoring of groundwater trends for measuring the impacts of the ASR pits on groundwater aquifers.'
Prof Prabhakar Sharma, Nagaland University, meets with farmers of Meyar Village, Nalanda, Bihar
The study recommends beginning with medium and large farmers who are more invested in agriculture and could serve as early adopters, encouraging others to follow. Sustained results will also depend on peer-led governance, policy incentives, and support from government and NGOs.SCALING ASR FOR RURAL WATER SECURITYASR holds immense potential for Nagaland and other water-scarce North-Eastern states, where erratic rainfall and groundwater shortages are a growing concern.The study underlines that ASR must be embedded within broader, inclusive water policies that address socio-economic disparities and promote community-driven models.advertisementThis collaborative research included experts from India, Japan, and Spain, including researchers from the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Kyoto University. It brings a multidisciplinary lens to sustainable water solutions in rural, climate-impacted regions of India.With climate variability rising, the study reinforces that community-led water conservation may be one of the most viable paths forward for building resilience in Indian agriculture.- Ends