Solar Pump Based Lift Irrigation System for Sustainable Tribal Agriculture
Solar Pump Based Lift Irrigation System for Sustainable Tribal Agriculture
Problem
- The villages in the project area had little to no irrigation facilities
- Farmers were cultivating only rain-dependent crops leading to economic despair
- The cost of electricity for irrigation projects was high
- People were fearful of the possible heavy charges for irrigation facilities
- There was a migration of people to urban areas in search of jobs
Solution
- The energy sources for irrigation facilities were switched from conventional to solar
- Conversion of rainfed agriculture to assured irrigated agriculture was done
- With the help of irrigation facilities, unused backwater from the dam was used
- Drinking water facilities were made available for the tribals
- Tribals were helped by establishing allied economic activities such as dairy, animal husbandry
Outcomes
- The Solar based Lift Irrigation Scheme provided water for irrigation in 37.15 hectares of land in 49 villages and has helped farmers to cultivate Kharif, Rabi and even Jayad crops
- Switch from traditional crops to cash crops helped in generating more revenue, which decreased poverty in the area
- The project ensured the availability of vegetables and nutritious food in the community
- The project helped in overcoming the malnutrition problem in the tribal areas
- Helped in establishing allied agriculture activities like dairy, animal husbandry, food processing etc. leading to income generation
- Empowered the economic status of people in the tribal community
Project Details
Category: Water
Project Title: Solar Pump Based Lift Irrigation System
Department or District: Tribal Area Development Department, Government of Rajasthan & SWACH
State: Rajasthan
Start Date of the Project: 15th July 2015
Website: https://tad.rajasthan.gov.in/
Tribe(s) that the Project Covers: This project targets tribal communities residing in the undulating terrains of southern Rajasthan, specifically in districts such as Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh. These regions have significant populations of Scheduled Tribes reliant on subsistence rain-fed agriculture.
Keywords: Solar Irrigation, Tribal Farming, SWACH, Lift Irrigation, Renewable Energy, Community Governance, Tribal Livelihoods, PESA, Water Access, Sustainable Development, Migration Control, Women Empowerment
Tribal communities in Rajasthan face substantial challenges due to harsh terrain, irregular rainfall, and inadequate access to assured irrigation. With limited access to grid electricity and marginal land holdings, traditional agricultural practices yielded poor returns. To address this, the Tribal Area Development Department, in partnership with SWACH (Sanitation, Water and Community Health Project), launched an innovative, community-managed Solar Pump Based Lift Irrigation System. This intervention leverages solar energy and previously unused dam backwater to convert rain-fed plots into productive, multi-crop farmland.
The Project
This initiative introduces solar-powered pumps to lift water from the backwaters of the Cadana Dam and similar sources, irrigating previously barren or rain-dependent plots. The entire implementation is community-driven, supported by SWACH and monitored by local committees. The model integrates sustainable energy with inclusive governance to facilitate year-round cultivation and improve water access for both agriculture and domestic use.
Problems that it Intends to Solve
Prior to this project, tribal farmers cultivated only Kharif crops with heavy dependence on erratic monsoons. Lack of irrigation facilities led to unutilised land, food insecurity, malnutrition, and seasonal migration for wage labour. Moreover, earlier electrified lift irrigation schemes had failed due to high operational costs and mismanagement.
What was the Need
A solar-based model offered a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to traditional electrified irrigation, especially in remote areas where grid access is unreliable. It was vital not only to enhance agricultural productivity but also to reduce economic vulnerability and enable self-sufficiency among tribal communities.
What Hindered its Introduction
Initial resistance came from communities with past experiences of failed schemes. There were concerns about maintenance costs, unfamiliarity with solar technology, and reluctance among youth to engage in agriculture. Organizationally, SWACH had no prior experience in community-managed solar irrigation and faced local scepticism during the planning phase.
Process Followed for Implementation
The implementation began with community rapport-building and awareness campaigns about solar energy. Committees of local farmers were formed, trained, and made responsible for day-to-day functioning. Sites with sufficient water availability were selected, technical surveys were conducted, and project reports were submitted for approval. Execution was closely supervised by SWACH staff, with third-party inspection ensuring quality and transparency throughout the process.
The Tribal Area Development Department provided funding, technical oversight, and inter-departmental coordination. It facilitated policy integration and ensured alignment with broader livelihood programs.
SWACH served as the technical and social facilitator, overseeing training, committee formation, daily supervision, and conflict resolution. As the development arm of the TAD Department, SWACH played a pivotal role in execution and monitoring.
Farmers participated in site selection, committee formation, and decision-making. Regular meetings fostered ownership, transparency, and a participatory governance structure that enabled long-term sustainability.
Solutions Implemented
Solar pumps were installed to lift water for irrigation across 37.15 hectares of land benefiting 49 households in Devaliya Kasariya. The same water source also serves drinking needs for humans and animals. The intervention has enabled the cultivation of Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid crops—a 300% cropping intensity improvement over pre-project conditions.
Details of the Coverage
Initially piloted in Devaliya Kasariya village, the model expanded to 69 solar-based irrigation schemes across four tribal districts of Rajasthan. Over 3,000 tribal farmers now benefit from these initiatives, covering extensive areas of previously uncultivable or under-utilised land.
- Innovation and Unique Features
- This was the first community-managed solar lift irrigation system in Rajasthan. It introduced sustainable energy for agricultural use in tribal areas, utilised dam backwater that had been previously ignored, and enabled continuous cropping cycles while addressing water scarcity and energy access simultaneously.
- The intervention replaced energy-intensive electrical pumps with solar-powered systems, reducing environmental impact and operational costs. Capacity building focused on training local farmers in operations and governance. The committee-based model respects the tribal tradition of collective decision-making and promotes local leadership.
- Local committees, informed by traditional water-sharing norms and communal land practices, were empowered to lead the project. Decision-making authority on water distribution, maintenance, and crop selection rested with the communities themselves.
- Any adaptations: How the project evolved during implementation
- To address initial resistance, project teams modified training approaches and integrated local languages and visual learning tools. Community exposure visits to successful installations were organized to build confidence. Women’s participation was also encouraged in committee meetings and farm-based activities.
Challenges Faced Before Implementation
Internally, SWACH lacked experience in solar irrigation. Externally, social distrust, migration patterns, and youth disengagement from agriculture posed obstacles. Misinformation and power dynamics in villages further complicated early mobilisation efforts.
Daily supervision, open public consultations, and a strong third-party audit mechanism helped mitigate risks. SWACH field teams conducted door-to-door outreach and facilitated smooth collaboration between Panchayati Raj Institutions and the committees.
Outcomes
Quantitatively, the project transformed 37.15 hectares into fully irrigated farmland supporting three crop cycles annually. The community moved from single-crop (100%) dependency to a diversified 300% cropping intensity. Over 49 tribal households directly benefited in the pilot phase alone, with thousands more reached through scaling efforts across 69 similar schemes.
Qualitatively, the project led to reduced seasonal migration, increased local food availability, improved nutrition, and revived interest in agriculture. Women gained more involvement in food security and water governance. The collective management model fostered harmony and empowered local leadership structures.
SWACH supervised implementation and daily operations. Committees conducted regular reviews, and third-party inspections ensured compliance with technical standards. Governance practices included open meetings, rotational leadership, and community grievance redressal mechanisms.
Beneficiaries
Direct beneficiaries include 49 tribal families in the pilot phase and over 3,000 farmers in scaled-up projects. Indirectly, the entire village community gains from better food security, water access, and environmental sustainability.
Replicability / Scalability / Sustainability
The model’s success in Devaliya Kasariya led to rapid replication in other tribal districts. Its financial sustainability is assured by eliminating recurring power costs and decentralising governance. With government support, the initiative is now a viable model for replication across rural and tribal belts in India where water and energy access remain critical issues.