Kolkata, Feb 26 – Women from self-help groups (SHGs) in West Bengal’s Pathar Pratima block, located in the Sundarbans delta, are pioneering an innovative approach to farming by harvesting rainwater to combat the salinity of groundwater.
Situated where the Hooghly River meets the Bay of Bengal, the region faces high soil salinity due to its proximity to the sea. With the support of the global non-governmental organization (NGO) Water for People, these women are transforming their farmlands by adopting climate-resilient agricultural techniques.
Reviving Farmland with Rainwater Storage
Shefali Bera, a resident of Kishore Nagar village and an SHG member, shared that approximately 127.9 hectares of land in the area have been affected by saline water. However, with guidance from the NGO, farmers are now converting single-crop land into multi-crop land by constructing new ponds to store rainwater."With the newly dug ponds, we are storing fresh rainwater, which will gradually push out salinity from the soil through adjacent channels. In two years, we expect to cultivate multiple vegetable crops, paddy, and even engage in pisciculture," a representative from the NGO explained.
Innovative Farming Techniques Boost Income
One of the successful initiatives in the region is the Ridge and Furrow technique, a climate-resilient model designed to enhance water retention, maintain soil moisture, and support sustainable agriculture. This method has already benefited several farming families, increasing their yield and profitability.Kabita Maity of Shibganj village is a testament to this success. Once earning as little as ₹5,000-7,000 annually due to soil salinity, she reported profits of ₹53,781 in 2023, ₹65,797 in 2024, and ₹8,350 in just January this year. The NGO had provided her with ₹1.55 lakh three years ago, enabling her to invest in rainwater harvesting and diversify her crop production.
Similarly, another farmer, Subrata Bera, has constructed a pond measuring 55 feet by 45 feet for rainwater harvesting at a total cost of ₹85,000. The NGO covered 80% of the expense, while he bore the remaining 20%. "Continuous rainfall for 11-12 hours is needed to flush out soil salinity to permissible levels. Right now, it's still too high," he noted.
The Five-Square Model: A Holistic Approach to Farming
The NGO is also implementing the Five-Square Model, an integrated farming approach involving rainwater harvesting, land shaping, and improved crop practices. Under this model, each pond is ideally 55x55 feet, designed to reduce salinity, prevent waterlogging, and enhance productivity."Our goal is to combine rainwater harvesting with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) cultivation on higher ground and vegetable farming alongside fish farming for additional income," an NGO representative stated.
Empowering Women and Strengthening Rural Livelihoods
Water for People’s CEO, Mark Duye, visited Pathar Pratima and highlighted the organization’s efforts in empowering women-led SHGs. "These women are resilient and well-aware of their rights. We want to equip them with the skills and confidence to take equal ownership of these projects with government support," he said.The NGO is actively working across five blocks—Pathar Pratima, Gosaba, Namkhana, Kakdwip, and Sagar—to implement water resource management initiatives and support local government bodies. Additionally, it is providing technical assistance to the West Bengal State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Public Health Engineering Department, and rural sanitation projects in South 24 Parganas and Birbhum districts.
As these community-driven efforts gain momentum, they promise to reshape the agricultural landscape of the Sundarbans delta, ensuring sustainability and resilience against climate-induced challenges.
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