Conservation Agriculture

Every year, the Khajuraho region is seriously threatened by drought. All the available water comes from the monsoon rains (July-September), but often they fail.

The clouds drift over without discharging the precious rain. This might be related to the deforestation. Since the middle ages the region has developed a unique system of dams and check-dams, to gather the water in artificial lakes. Thanks to this system, periods of drought up to five years could be survived. Sadly enough this system has been abandoned in many places, in favour of non-sustainable water harvesting with numerous handpumps.

Conservation agriculture is sustainable agriculture in dry circumstances. Bio-farmer Johan D’hulster has written an inspiring book on this topic: Conservation Agriculture: A Plea for a Plentiful India. (see document)