Bhubaneswar : Kuguput village under Hadiguda Gram Panchayat in Rayagada district, has long struggled with water scarcity, leaving its farmers dependent on rain-fed agriculture and vulnerable to erratic rainfall. To address this critical issue, Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), in collaboration with the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (BRLF), has implemented “Project Neer,” a sustainable water resource management project that has revitalized the village’s farming ecosystem and boosted economic stability.
Home to 127 households comprising Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and General Category residents, Kuguput has long relied on rain-fed agriculture, predominantly monocropping paddy during the Kharif season. Erratic rainfall and insufficient irrigation left the village grappling with 15–20 per cent crop losses annually. Despite a perennial stream, water resources were underutilized, with earlier attempts to construct a check dam proving inadequate.
Recognizing the urgency of these challenges, UAIL and BRLF conducted a comprehensive survey to identify root causes, including runoff inefficiencies, siltation, and poorly designed storage structures. Under “Project Neer,” innovative solutions such as Loose Boulder Check Dams, Gabion Structures, and the renovation of existing dams were proposed. The project emphasized participatory approaches, involving the local community in planning and implementation through tools like Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
Central to the project was the renovation of the village’s check dam. Guided by the newly formed Kuguput Water User Committee comprising of 10 lead farmers, the renovation efforts included platform construction, stone patching, and catchment expansion over 205 acres. These interventions increased the dam’s storage capacity to approximately 7 lakh litres, enabling irrigation for 50 acres of farmland.
The results have been transformational. Farmers now practice double cropping, with paddy yields increasing by 5 quintals per acre. Additionally, 30 households have adopted vegetable cultivation, earning an extra Rs 15,000 annually.
Emphasizing the impact of the project, Mr Rabi Mishra the Unit Head of UAIL, says, “Project Neer is a testament to our commitment to sustainable development and empowering communities. By enhancing water availability and involving the villagers in the process, we’ve enabled a shift from vulnerability to self-reliance in agriculture. It stands as a beacon of sustainable agricultural practices, underpinned by community-driven water resource management. By addressing water scarcity and fostering crop diversification, the initiative has improved livelihoods and economic resilience in Kuguput village”, adds Mr Mishra.
Villagers, too, shared their joy over the changes. Alok Majhi, a farmer and beneficiary of the project, said, “Earlier, we could barely grow a single crop due to water shortages. Now, with improved irrigation, my family is growing vegetables and earning more than ever before. This project has truly changed our lives.”
As a responsible corporate citizen, Utkal Aluminium International Ltd. is committed towards the socio-economic wellbeing and transforming the lives in the tribal hinterland. All UAIL’s projects are carried out under the aegis of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, chaired by Mrs. Rajashree Birla. Utkal’s engagement extents to 232 villages of 25 Gram Panchayats of Odisha. UAIL enriches the lives of more than 2,01,000 people through its 5 pillars of interventions: education, healthcare, sustainable livelihood, rural infrastructure and addressing the issues of their socio-economic concern in line with UNSDGs.
