When we talk about transforming education, we tend to focus on curriculum and teaching methods. But the spaces in which students learn—classrooms, art rooms, and playgrounds—play an equally pivotal role. Schools with strong infrastructure improvement not only foster academic growth, but also nurture emotional well-being, safety, and a sense of belonging.

A well-designed learning environment can reduce absenteeism, increase school enrolment, especially among girls, and empower youth to engage fully with their education. Efforts to build better learning spaces are central to any school transformation program aiming for holistic development in education.

What Is the State of School Infrastructure in Rural India?

Before exploring stories of change, let’s look at rural schools in India:

These facts show that while broad infrastructural improvement is underway, gaps remain—especially in digital literacy, play areas, and rural regions where resources are more constrained.

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Why Environment Shapes Learning

How does improved infrastructure translate into better educational outcomes?

Some insights:

“How does good school infrastructure help rural education and digital literacy?” The answer lies in both the hard infrastructure and the softer aspects of environment.

The Transformation of Doddashivara High School, Kolar District

Here’s a real-life example of what happens when a school transformation program is implemented well:

Before the change

Doddashivara Government High School in Malur Taluk of Kolar District, Karnataka, served about 190 students (105 girls, 85 boys) with 12 teachers. Many of them came from underprivileged backgrounds with limited alternatives for education. But the school infrastructure was seriously deficient:

These deficits posed major educational challenges: attendance dropped, students felt unsafe or uncomfortable, and the learning environment was uninspiring.

Transformation under the Rural School Transformation Project

S M Sehgal Foundation, with support from First American (India) Private Limited, stepped in with a holistic plan:

Impact & Voices

“Earlier we used to struggle without proper toilets, but now I feel comfortable and safe in school. We have a clean place to sit and eat, and even our walls teach us through colorful paintings that arise our curiosity to learn and explore.” – Abhishek M, Grade 8

“We had broken toilets, no proper handwashing station. . . . Today, students come to school with a smile . . . The new infrastructure has boosted student attendance, improved hygiene, and increased parents’ trust . . . ”- Mrs. Mamatha, headmaster

The result of this school transformation is not just physical; it is emotional and behavioral. Improved enrolment is expected; more parents are trusting the institution; academic performance will rise in coming years given the safer, more engaging learning space.

Key Elements of an Effective Learning Environment

From national data and the Doddashivara example, effective school infrastructure improvement measures typically include:

The Power of Partnerships: NGOs, Corporates, and Communities

Transforming schools requires collaboration. Some ways these partnerships make a difference:

The Rural School Transformation Project of SM Sehgal Foundation and First American (India) is an example of a project that integrates these partnership strengths to achieve holistic change.

Measurable Impact: What the Numbers Say

These changes contribute to higher school admissions and enrolments and improved learning outcomes, especially in rural education settings where deficits were previously pronounced.

Lessons from Doddashivara: Building Sustainable Change

From the Doddashivara transformation and national data, some lessons emerge:

These lessons help in scaling similar models across rural schools, making transforming schools not just a slogan but a practical roadmap for transforming the lives of schoolchildren.

Building a Future Where Every Child Thrives

Transforming education is far more than updating curriculum or hiring teachers. School infrastructure improvement plays a foundational role in empowering youth, supporting rural education, and tackling educational challenges that hinder academic progress.

The story of Doddashivara High School under the Rural School Transformation Project shows that when underprivileged students gain access to clean toilets, safe classrooms, digital tools, and inspiring spaces, everything changes for the better. Increased school admissions, rising attendance, and smiling students are the signs of true transformation.

In the end, transforming schools into better learning spaces is not only about buildings—it is about providing every child with dignity, safety, opportunity, and hope. Through such holistic development in education, a nation builds its future.

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Transforming Schools into Better Learning Spaces for Students appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have emerged as a strong support system for India’s small and marginal farmers. By coming together under one umbrella, farmers get access to collective bargaining power, better markets, and modern practices. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, India aims to create 10,000 new FPOs by 2027 to empower rural communities and improve farmers’ income security. This highlights the government’s focus on farmer-led institutions as a pathway to sustainable growth.

An FPO is essentially a collective of farmers registered under the Companies Act. It allows farmers to pool resources, share risks, and market their produce at better prices. Through this system, small-scale farmers, often left behind in the open market, gain a stronger voice. FPOs also play a key role in providing inputs, training, and access to financial support.

Many people often confuse FPOs with Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). While both serve farmer interests, the difference lies in their legal structure. An FPC is a registered company formed under the Companies Act, whereas an FPO can be registered under different legal forms, including cooperatives or societies. In short, every FPC is an FPO, but not every FPO is an FPC.

Why FPOs Matter in Indian Agriculture?

Smallholders struggle with fragmented landholdings and buyer exploitation. FPOs unite them under a common banner – collectively negotiating prices, securing supplies, and accessing credit. Research notes that FPOs aim “to solve the problems encountered by small and marginal farmers, especially access to capital, technical improvements, and inputs and markets.” (Source: Nature ). States like Maharashtra and Bihar have seen surging FPO growth thanks to these advantages (Source: JSRR ).

What are the Common Challenges Faced by FPOs

The reality is not rosy. Common challenges include:

Strengthening Governance

Strong governance breeds trust and efficiency. Clear member roles, regular audits, and annual strategy reviews help. Village-level farmers interest groups can feed into these structures, amplifying transparency. Training leadership teams in accounting, decision-making, and stakeholder communication is essential. This not only strengthens FPO operations but helps build the farmer producer company into a trusted entity.

Power of Federations

Individually, FPOs are small. Federations bring scale. Grouping multiple FPOs into federated structures improves access to capital, opens new markets, and enables bulk branding. Federations consolidate produce, reduce marketing costs, and attract larger buyers, amplifying FPO business and its viability.

Embracing Digitization

Digital tools can be a game-changer. Web platforms – like ONDC – allow FPOs to sell value-added goods directly. For instance, nearly 5,000 FPOs have listed their products via ONDC with promising sales from commodities like millet, honey, and GI-tagged turmeric. Digitization also helps in performance tracking, transparency, and capacity building. Boosting digital literacy among members is crucial to modernize FPO systems.

Women-Led FPOs: A Transformative Force

Women-led FPOs are gaining recognition. In Karnataka, for instance, 336 FPOs are functional, many fully run by women. That includes the Mahila FPOs with strong regional membership. Women leadership spurs inclusive growth, particularly in rural markets and decision-making (Source: The Times of India). Boosting women participation magnifies benefits to households, communities, and wider agrarian systems.

Sustainable Growth Pathways

To ensure long-term viability, FPOs must embrace sustainable practices: climate-resilient farming, organic produce, crop diversification, and value addition. Branding with GI tags, like turmeric and mango, adds value. For example, FPOs in Odisha exported mangoes directly to Europe, bypassing intermediarieshttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/50-quintals-of-balangir-mangoes-exported-to-europe/articleshow/121554301.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com. UP’s public–private initiative supports FPOs with cold storage, grading infrastructure – all vital for sustainable growth (Source: The Times of India).

Policy & Institutional Support

India’s government has launched schemes like the Formation of 10,000 FPOs, led by SFAC, NABARD, and SFAC, assembling nearly 8.3 lakh small farmers into over 800 FPOs by 2019. Institutional bodies such as SFAC support capacity building and professionalization. UP recently created an FPO cell under a state-level unit to deliver tailored business training to FPOs (Source: The Times of India).

Sustainable Growth in Action (Summary Table)

Case study: Vrishabhavati Agriculture Farmer Producer Company

The story of Vrishabhavati Agriculture Farmer Producer Company in Karnataka illustrates both the challenges and the transformation possible with the right support.

Initial Struggles

The FPO, formed with 300 members and a corpus of ₹3,00,000, struggled to mobilise farmers due to poor awareness of FPO operations and sustainable farming practices. Farmers associated membership only with the ₹1,000 share contribution, expecting seasonal inputs in return, while still depending on traditional cultivation methods.

Interventions and transformation

In 2021, the S M Sehgal Foundation, with CSR support from the Walmart Foundation, began working with the FPO under the Bolstering Farmer Producer Organizations project. Regular training, demonstrations, and exposure visits introduced farmers to scientific agricultural practices. For example:

Building Sustainable Business

The FPO overcame the challenge of lacking a business plan by setting up multiple income streams:

With a turnover of ₹35 lakhs in the last financial year, the FPO’s operations now serve as a model of resilience.

Increasing Women’s Participation

Through apiculture, goatery, sheep rearing, agarbatti-making, and polyhouse farming of capsicum, women farmers were empowered with skills and income opportunities. For example, capsicum grown in a polyhouse worth ₹32 lakhs is expected to generate ₹25-30 lakhs in business.

Key Lessons from the Case

Over to You

To truly strengthen farmer producer organisations, we must align governance, federations, digitization, women leadership, and sustainable practices. Backed by policy support and institutional ecosystems, FPOs can drive inclusive growth, empower small farmers, and ensure food security. Strengthening the FPO, for real.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Strategies to Strengthen FPOs: Governance, Federations, Digitization, and Sustainable Growth appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Irrigation in agriculture has always been a backbone of India’s food security. From tubewell irrigation to canal systems, farmers are provided with the water they need to grow crops throughout the year. Yet, rising energy costs, depleting groundwater, and unpredictable rainfall have pushed rural communities to rethink how irrigation can be made more efficient and sustainable.

This is where solar-powered irrigation systems are changing the story. By combining clean energy with efficient irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler systems, farmers can achieve higher productivity while conserving water. Unlike diesel pumps, solar irrigation pumps provide a cost-effective, reliable, and eco-friendly solution that empowers small-scale farmers to reduce risks and secure their livelihoods.

The importance of water-use efficiency in irrigation has never been greater. India’s agriculture consumes nearly 80% of the country’s freshwater resources, making water conservation projects critical for long-term sustainability. Through solar irrigation projects supported by various organizations, government schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana, and CSR-led water conservation initiatives, farmers are beginning to recognize the advantages of solar irrigation systems as more than a technology—as lifelines for survival.

Later in this blog, we will explore how real farmers, like Ramanand from Haryana, have successfully shifted from dependence on rainfall to solar irrigation, proving how this innovation is transforming rural India.

Why irrigation is important in agriculture?

Irrigation in agriculture plays a central role in ensuring food security, providing farmers with a consistent water supply and helping crops grow even when rainfall is delayed or insufficient. Without reliable irrigation, farmers face lower yields, crop losses, and reduced income, particularly in drought-prone areas.

Timely irrigation is also vital for enhancing water-use efficiency in irrigation, ensuring every drop supports plant growth and is not wasted. For example, well-managed irrigation can help conserve groundwater while improving soil health. Different crops require different amounts of water at specific growth stages, which makes access to controlled irrigation even more important.

Traditional methods like tubewell irrigation have long supported Indian farmers, but growing water stress demands a shift to more efficient irrigation methods. By combining technology with smart practices, farmers adopt water-saving irrigation techniques that not only improve yields but also contribute to sustainable farming. In this sense, irrigation is not just about water—it’s about resilience, productivity, and long-term agricultural sustainability.

Types of irrigation methods and their efficiency

When discussing the many types of irrigation, farmers generally rely on four main approaches: surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, and tubewell irrigation. Each has unique benefits and limitations, especially when viewed from a lens of efficiency in irrigation.

Adopting efficient irrigation methods improves crop productivity and water-storage efficiency in irrigation. For instance, drip and sprinkler systems may initially demand investment, but they pay off through reduced input costs, better crop quality, and long-term water conservation.

The rise of solar-powered irrigation systems

Over the past decade, solar irrigation systems have emerged as a game-changer for farmers. Unlike diesel or electric pumps, they run on renewable energy, offering a cleaner, cost-effective, and sustainable solution. This shift is part of India’s broader efforts to make agriculture irrigation more resilient against climate change and groundwater stress.

The key advantage lies in energy independence. Farmers using solar irrigation pumps no longer worry about fluctuating fuel prices or irregular power supply. Once installed, operational costs are minimal, which translates into higher savings. Government initiatives like the Atal Bhujal Yojana have further boosted adoption by providing subsidies, making the technology more accessible to smallholders.

In practice, solar irrigation also improves water-use efficiency in irrigation. Farmers can irrigate their fields on time without overextraction of water, as solar-powered systems are often paired with water-saving irrigation techniques such as drip or sprinkler methods. This combination enhances water-storage efficiency in irrigation while protecting groundwater resources.

Beyond economics, the benefits of solar irrigation include reduced carbon emissions, better crop yield stability, and improved livelihoods. Increasingly, solar irrigation projects across rural India are showcasing how modern technology aligns with traditional farming to create sustainable growth.

Benefits of solar irrigation for farmers

The benefits of solar irrigation go far beyond reducing energy bills for small and marginal farmers, providing stability in uncertain conditions. With solar irrigation pumps, farmers can irrigate fields at the right time, preventing crop stress and boosting yields. This timeliness directly impacts productivity, especially in water-sensitive crops like vegetables, pulses, and oilseeds.

Another major advantage is financial relief. Diesel-powered pumps often consume a large share of farming expenses. By switching to the advantages of solar irrigation system, farmers cut down on fuel costs and reduce dependence on credit. These savings can be reinvested in seeds, fertilizers, or expanding farmland.

Solar irrigation also enhances efficiency in irrigation. When combined with efficient irrigation methods such as drip or sprinkler systems, it minimizes water losses, increases water use efficiency in irrigation, and ensures every drop is optimized. This aligns well with ongoing water conservation projects in India, which emphasize water-saving irrigation techniques to safeguard groundwater.

The social impact is equally strong. With reliable irrigation, farmers experience fewer crop failures, less migration pressure, and improved household income. Schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana make these systems more accessible, turning eco-friendly technology into a tool of empowerment.

For many, like Ramanand in Haryana, solar irrigation represents more than technology as a path to sustainable farming, dignity, and resilience.

Farmer success story : Ramanand from Haryana

Stories from the ground show how solar irrigation systems transform lives. One such example is Ramanand, a farmer from Nigana Kalan village in Tosham block, Bhiwani district, Haryana. Managing 4 acres of uneven, sandy land, he cultivated mustard, millet, and guar. Yet with no reliable irrigation in agriculture and erratic rainfall, his crops often failed, causing financial stress.

In March 2024, a water conservation project by S M Sehgal Foundation, with support from IndusInd Bank, introduced two 7.5 HP solar irrigation pumps in his village. Ramanand actively joined training sessions and agricultural trials, where he learned about water-saving irrigation techniques and government schemes such as the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which offers subsidies for farmers to adopt solar pumps.

By August 2024, Ramanand installed his own pump. The change was immediate. Timely irrigation saved his crops from damage, improved yields, and reduced dependency on costly diesel-based systems. Not only did his financial losses decrease, his confidence in farming also grew.

His story illustrates the wider benefits of solar irrigation—from cutting costs to promoting sustainability. For farmers like him, adopting clean energy solutions is not just about saving water or power; it is about securing livelihoods, building resilience, and ensuring farming remains viable for future generations.

What is the role of government schemes and policies?

The adoption of solar irrigation systems in India is closely tied to the push from government-led programs and supportive policies. These initiatives reduce farmers’ upfront costs and encourage a long-term shift toward sustainable rural development.

A major example is the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY), a World Bank–assisted scheme launched by the Government of India that focuses on improving groundwater management in water-stressed areas while promoting efficient irrigation methods. Under ABY, farmers access subsidies for solar irrigation pumps, which help cut diesel use and ensure timely watering of crops. This subsidy model makes the technology more accessible to small-scale farmers who often struggle with capital investments.

Beyond ABY, schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) have also played a crucial role. The program supports farmers in installing grid-connected solar pumps and enables them to sell excess power back to the grid. This dual benefit improves water-use efficiency in irrigation as well as rural income security.

Together these policies show how institutional support can make advanced technology affordable. For farmers like Ramanand in Haryana, awareness of such schemes meant a smooth transition from rainfall dependency to solar-powered irrigation. When government programs, community-led initiatives, and farmer participation align, the result is a more resilient and profitable agriculture sector.

What is the future of solar-powered agriculture in India

The future of agriculture irrigation in India is moving steadily toward renewable energy solutions. With climate change intensifying and groundwater levels declining, the demand for water-saving irrigation techniques will only rise. Solar-powered systems present themselves as a natural fit for this transition because they address two challenges at once: rising energy costs and dwindling water resources.

Experts predict that the adoption of solar irrigation pumps will grow faster in regions where rainfall is inconsistent and tubewell irrigation has become unsustainable. For farmers, this technology means lower expenses, predictable crop cycles, and a move away from diesel dependence. Additionally, improvements in water-storage efficiency in irrigation and the use of smart controllers can further reduce wastage.

Another key trend is the rise of women-led FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) and local cooperatives that are increasingly experimenting with solar solutions. Their involvement ensures broader adoption and also strengthens community-based organizations that are driving sustainable change.

As India works toward the sustainable development goals, solar irrigation will play a defining role. By combining government support, private investment, and farmer participation, the future will likely see millions of small-scale farmers adopting solar technology to make agriculture more resilient, eco-friendly, and profitable.

Over to you

The transformation of irrigation in agriculture is no longer a distant dream. With innovations like the solar irrigation system, farmers across India are finding ways to cut costs, conserve water, and increase yields. These solutions are not just technical upgrades but lifelines for small and marginal farmers who rely on timely irrigation for survival.

The advantages of a solar irrigation project go beyond economics. They promote environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and improve water-use efficiency in irrigation. When combined with efficient irrigation methods and supportive policies like Atal Bhujal Yojana, the pathway to sustainable farming becomes stronger and more achievable.

The story of Ramanand from Nigana Kalan village in Haryana stands as a living example. With support from S M Sehgal Foundation, IndusInd Bank, and government schemes, he moved from struggling with crop losses to reaping steady yields using a solar irrigation pump. His journey highlights the potential of water conservation projects to empower farmers with tools that are eco-friendly and profitable.

If more such initiatives scale across villages, India can truly transform its agriculture into one that is resilient, resource-efficient, and future-ready—where every farmer has access to sustainable water-saving irrigation techniques.

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Transforming Agriculture Irrigation: Why More Farmers are Choosing Solar-Powered Irrigation Solutions appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

India is deeply water-stressed. Reports from NITI Aayog have already called it one of the most water-insecure countries in the world. Groundwater tables continue to fall, while rainfall patterns grow less reliable each year.

Walk into any village in semi-arid Haryana during peak summer, and you will see the strain of water shortage everywhere. Hand pumps often run dry, women walk long distances carrying pitchers, and farmers wait anxiously for the next spell of rain. The problem of water insecurity is not abstract here – it decides daily routines, crop yields, and even health. For many it also decides the marriage of daughter, higher education and pay back of the loan.

Amidst this crisis, communities and local projects have been showing that solutions lie not only in technology but in community participation, where people come together to own the problem and work for change.

Why community engagement matters?

When a water security project begins in a village, the first step is rarely digging or building. It starts with conversations. Villagers are invited to sit together and discuss memories of how their ponds once held water, or how wells once recharged quickly after rain. These exchanges help in understanding the community, their challenges and start of building a connect. Without this connect, most projects risk becoming temporary fixes.

A Village Development Committee (VDC) often plays a central role. By including both men and women, elders, and youth, the VDC ensures diverse voices guide decisions. The committee helps track expenses, supervises work, and spreads awareness about why maintenance is everyone’s duty. This way, the entire village feels invested.

What is the role of rainwater harvesting?

Across rural India, what rainwater harvesting means is not only storing rainwater but also ensuring that the soil and underground aquifers benefit from it. Every drop that runs away during the monsoon is a wasted opportunity. By building check dams, renovating ponds, and creating recharge pits, rainwater is stored and diverted into the ground. This improves the soil moisture and increases groundwater availability for the time we need it.

Pond rejuvenation and pond renovation are especially effective because they combine both visible and invisible benefits. On the surface, ponds hold water for daily use, livestock, and irrigation. Below the surface, they allow seepage that recharges wells and borewells. The community sees the pond fill up, and over time, they also notice their handpumps lasting longer into the dry season.

A journey of transformation: Bajina pond

The village of Bajina in Tosham block, Bhiwani district, Haryana, once had a pond that villagers barely noticed anymore. Over the years, silt had reduced its depth, and the water holding capacity was almost gone. During rains, instead of collecting, water overflowed into the streets, flooding homes and causing discomfort.

In early 2024, a water security project supported by IndusInd Bank and implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation decided to restore this traditional water body. The first step was dialogue. After understanding the challenges and opportunities, The project team worked with the panchayat and community to form a Village Development Committee of 15 members. This body took ownership, supervised every stage, and motivated villagers to contribute labour and ideas to make it better for village.

The desilting began slowly, and the sight of mud being lifted from the pond drew children and elders alike to watch. Soon, an embankment was built, allowing the pond to retain water more effectively and avoiding the flooding of streets. Around its edges, 100 saplings were planted, giving shade and strengthening the soil structure.

Today, Bajina’s pond is unrecognisable. Measuring 95 x 95 metres, it now stores nearly 90 lakh litres of water. Families fetch water, cattle drink freely, and most importantly, the groundwater below gets replenished. In the evenings, villagers even stroll around the pond, enjoying the fresh environment. As one elder put it, “We never thought this pond would breathe again, but now it’s the pride of our village.”

The pond ignored for long is now a focal center of the village.

Farming solutions: Ravinder Dahiya’s sprinklers

Water insecurity affects agriculture most sharply. Farmers depend on borewells and pumps, but with declining water tables, their costs of cultivation rise. Traditional sprinklers also waste water, as large nozzles spread it unevenly and consume huge volumes.

Ravinder Dahiya, a farmer from Nigana Khurd village in Tosham block, faced these same issues. With just two acres and a personal borewell, he used large sprinklers that consumed 1,600 litres an hour yet covered only a small patch. Moving them across his field was tiring and inefficient.

When the water conservation project introduced mini-sprinklers, Ravinder decided to try them. With a modest contribution from him and support from the project, he installed a system with one main nozzle and 63 sub-nozzles. The result surprised him. The new system watered 300 square metres with the same amount of water that earlier covered only 150 square metres. His pearl millet yields also improved, and he saved time and labor of shifting the equipment.

For Ravinder, this was not just about convenience. It showed how community participation in adopting new technology could change farming practices. His success story soon encouraged others in his village to try similar systems.

Solar solutions: Krishna’s spray pump

In Alampur village, also in Tosham block, Krishna faced a different problem. Owning five acres of land, he cultivated wheat, millet, and mustard. Spraying pesticides was a regular requirement, but the manual sprayers he rented were both costly and inefficient. Often, spraying one acre would take a whole day, and crop protection remained incomplete.

Why these stories matter?

From Bajina’s pond to Ravinder’s sprinklers to Krishna’s solar sprayer, a clear pattern emerges: projects succeed only when villagers are active participants and come forward to adopt the new technology. Community engagement ensures that once the external project teams leave, the village continues to care for and expand the work.

The importance of environmental responsibility becomes real when people see the results – cleaner water, healthier crops, greener surroundings. Whether it is storing rainwater in rejuvenated ponds or experimenting with water-efficient tools, the real power lies in communities treating these resources as their own.

A way forward

India’s water insecurity cannot be solved by infrastructure alone. Pond renovation, underground water recharge, and modern irrigation all play their part, but without people’s involvement and judicious use of resources, the results are short-lived. Sustainable water security means blending traditional wisdom with modern tools, adopting the water efficient agri practices and strengthening the hands of those who depend on water the most.

Future projects must continue to invest in community participation, create local committees, and ensure that benefits are equitably shared. After all, water is not just a resource – it is the foundation of life, health, economy and dignity in rural areas.

As seen in Haryana, when communities take charge, even a neglected pond or a small farm can become an example of resilience. And resilience, in times of changing climate, is the most valuable resource of all.

About the Author

Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation

Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.

The post Tackling Water Insecurity with Effective Water Management Through Community Engagement appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

As per the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Report 2022-23, agriculture had the highest estimated percentage distribution of female workers, i.e., 64.3%, with 76.2 % in rural areas and 11.7% in urban areas. This data underscores the central role that women play in India’s agricultural landscape.

The two main Sustainable Development Goals, SDG1 and SDG2, build on a base of reducing poverty and achieving zero hunger and directly impact the role of women in the rural economy.

Women And The Rural Economy

Women in rural India are important to the progress of the rural economy. They play multiple roles as farmers, wage earners, and entrepreneurs. Women also care for the well-being of their family members and are responsible for providing food and care to the children and the elderly.

Poor rural households are often responsible for unpaid work such as collecting wood and water.

Empowering rural women through productive employment and ensuring gender equality contributes to inclusive economic growth. That is the backbone of achieving poverty reduction and food security.

The Vital Role of Women to Indian Agriculture

Agricultural development is the most important and primary source of income for almost 70% of India’s households. With the majority of India living in rural regions, the importance of agriculture cannot be undermined. Approximately 60% of the Indian population works in agriculture and contributes about 18% to India’s GDP. Almost 80% of women are engaged in and depend on agricultural development in rural India.

Thus, women contribute to agriculture in many ways that include:

Rural women are also engaged in allied fields including livestock rearing, horticulture, post-harvesting operations, agro/social forestry, fishing, etc.

Most labor-intensive manual operations in agriculture, such as cattle management, fodder collection, milking, threshing, winnowing, etc., are performed by women.

The community management role played by rural women helps ensure the dissemination of information and extension at the community level.

Agents Of Change: Empowering Women At The Grassroots Level

S M Sehgal Foundation, a rural development NGO in India, has been working since 1999 to improve the quality of life in rural communities. S M Sehgal Foundation’s main program areas include Water Management, Agricultural Development, Local Participation and Sustainability, Transform Lives one school at a time, and Outreach for Development.

Women’s Leadership

The Local Participation and Sustainability Program enables women to participate in village-level institutions and public life. The program provides women with a platform to come together, voice their concerns about community and development issues, and work collectively to address problems that affect their families and their community. Capacity-building sessions teach leadership and communication skills that build their confidence to improve last-mile delivery of government programs, take leadership roles to address development issues, and participate in gram sabha. The program further builds the capacities of women elected representatives (WERs) to collectively tackle the problems of the village and organize women in Women Farmer Clubs.

Power in Empowerment

Swapna, president of Women Farmers Club Mohamadshapur, mobilizes members to participate in project activities and adopt the learnings. Swapna is the president of the Women Farmers Club Mohamadshapur, Siddipet district, Telangana, and has two acres of land that is shared with her brother in law, i.e. each of them uses it every alternate year. In 2020, Swapna grew cotton, paddy, green chilli, and tomato.

She has received training in integrated nutrient management (INM) and integrated pest management (IPM), preparation of the organic pesticide solution Jeevamritam, mulching, bio leaf extracts as organic fertilizer, waste decomposer as an organic fertilizer and for disease control, and she visited the Centre of Excellence on Vegetables and Flowers, Hyderabad, and Ankapur, Nizamabad district.

As the president of WFC, she enthusiastically executes her role of mentoring and motivating WFC members to utilize modern methods of farming, while also being an example by practicing the newly acquired knowledge from the project in her own farm.

Conclusion

The challenge of ending poverty can only be achieved with the end of gender-based discrimination. Gender inequality deprives women of basic rights and opportunities for well-being. This in turn makes and keeps women poor.

The Indian government in its vision has realised the gap and is striving toward poverty alleviation through training programs, financial inclusion, strengthening of social services, and creating awareness of women’s rights. Ensuring women’s access to basic services, land control, property inheritance, and financial inclusion is the way forward to achieving the lofty goals of SDG1 and the reduction in poverty.

The way forward is to provide women with equal access to avenues for growth through social protection. The key to achieving SDG1 lies in realising women’s rights. Ensuring women’s access to basic services, land control, property inheritance, and financial inclusion is the way forward to achieving the lofty goals of SDG1 and the reduction in poverty.

The post Contribution Of Women In Agricultural Development appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

The agriculture sector forms almost about 18 percent of India’s GDP despite employing almost 65 percent of the total workforce. Even with significant improvement in food grain production, there are several challenges to tackle as the government aims to increase agricultural production as a share of GDP.

Over a while agricultural development practices have been perceived to exploit natural resources faster than they could be renewed. Exponential growth in the human population has resulted in demand for food and shelter, which the “natural” carrying capacity of the land is under pressure to provide.

It is reasonable to assume that human population growth will continue and place greater demands on the agriculture ecosystem of India. Thus, technology has and will continue to play a major role in agriculture and sustainable development going forward.

The role of modern technology is significant in agricultural development, and with the advent of digital technology, the scope has widened. Innovation is leading to an evolution in agricultural practices, reducing losses and increasing efficiency.

Importance Of Modern Technology In Agriculture In India

Technology in agriculture affects many areas of agriculture, such as fertilizers, pesticides, seed technology, etc. Biotechnology and genetic engineering have resulted in pest resistance and increased crop yields. Mechanization has led to:

Raju Kumar Chaudhry, a progressive farmer from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, adopted a subsidized potato planter through the Gram Utthan project in 2017. The machine helps him save about ₹3,500 per acre in labor costs while boosting yields by up to 66 quintals/acre, and he now motivates fellow farmers to adopt it.

In 1960, during the Green Revolution, India managed to achieve self-sufficiency in foodgrain production by leveraging modern methods of agriculture like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, higher quality seeds, and proper irrigation.

The introduction of tractors was followed by new tillage and harvesting equipment, irrigation methods, and air seeding technology, all leading to improved quality of the food and fiber.

Farmers can leverage scientific data and technology to enhance crop yields and keep themselves abreast of cutting-edge methods of farming.

So, let’s understand how these emerging technologies are changing the way farmers used to work and how these changes are impacting agriculture.

Emerging Technologies In Agriculture In India

One of the most significant advancements in agriculture is improved productivity; it’s crucial that moving forward and capacity building is important. From mechanised tools like tractors like harvesters to data driven solutions, modern technology has a role to play for the advancement in agriculture, such as:

However, AI finds slow acceptance in a country like India, where marginal farming, fragmented landholdings, and other reasons act as impediments. But there is no doubt that AI and other modern technologies can bring precision to large-scale farming and lead to an exponential rise in productivity.

Impact of Modern Technology on Agriculture

Technologies can enable the transition of modern agriculture in the field. While some technologies have transformed the way we operate, there is a need for spreading technological advancements in agriculture, like artificial intelligence and machine vision.

The use of modern technology in agriculture can enable millions of farmers to benefit from the acquisition of real-time farm information.

Farmers can have ready availability of weather information and disaster warnings and also have instant access to farm data.

Mandi Automation solution would digitalise the traditional retail channel and help farmers connect their produce to intermediaries and institutional buyers.

Having a range of technologies enables the transition of modern agriculture in the field. There are many promising trends and pilot projects in modern technology in agriculture.

For example: Village level entrepreneurs use of analysis of soils and drainage, crop health monitoring, yield prediction, and pesticide and fertiliser spot spraying.

S M Sehgal Foundation Promoting Technology In Indian Agriculture

The Agriculture Development program at S M Sehgal Foundation promotes sustainable livelihoods by building the capacities of farmers, including women producers, with improved agricultural practices and new technologies that increase crop yields, conserve water, and improve soil fertility.

The team works with small-holder farmers in rain-fed and irrigated areas to facilitate the adoption of improved and advanced agricultural practices that include soil health management, crop production management, input-use efficiency, small farm mechanization, water-efficient irrigation techniques, horticultural development, livestock management, use of information and communication technology (ICT) in agriculture.

Helping farmers to achieve food security in India requires uplifting and enhancing a lot of the farming community by increasing their income.

Intervention in agriculture through modern technology and mechanization has the potential to address hunger and malnutrition as well as challenges such as poverty, water and energy use, climate change, and others.

Farm Mechanization

S M Sehgal Foundation in partnership with GE has implemented the Gram Utkarsh project in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to help farmers make agriculture more rewarding. Some of the areas this scheme has been able to help with in terms of farm mechanization:

Chalitar Bhagat is a progressive farmer of Nariar village of Motipur block, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. He has been associated with this project since 2017. Chalitar says, “Getting timely agricultural labor is a major problem in agriculture. It increases the cost of production and so the profits decrease. Hence mechanization in agriculture is beneficial for farmers.”

In 2018, the project team provided a subsidized zero tillage machine to Chalitar and trained him on its operation. Now he uses the machine in his field and is an entrepreneur by renting his service to neighboring villages such as Pakhnaha Shivram, Akuraha, Prasad, Puraina, Bhilaipur, Birpur, and others. After using the machine for more than three years, Chalitar says that it has revolutionized his farming and life. The Agriculture Development program at S M Sehgal Foundation promotes new modern technology in agricultural development in India.

Csr Project With Sm Sehgal Foundation- Laser Land Leveling

As part of its commitment to sustainable agriculture and farmer empowerment S M Sehgal Foundation with support from CSR partners, has been involved in introducing modern technologies to modern farming technologies to rural communities. For example:

The use of modern technology in land leveling has helped Ayyaz in reducing the time and cost of irrigation. A CSR-supported project implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation educated him about the multiple benefits of laser land leveling, and he decided to try this practice on one acre of his two-acre land.

Out of the total cost of renting, which is INR 2,250 for laser leveling one acre of his farm, he received the support of INR 800 from the project, as he was a first-time implementer, and it would be a demonstration for other farmers.

After implementing laser land leveling, Ayyaz shares that this practice reduced the cost and time of irrigation by about half. Earlier it used to take him 10–11 hours to irrigate his one-acre wheat field once, which cost him INR 90 per hour, and he had to undertake five such irrigations, which cost him a total of INR 4,500.

After laser leveling, it took him only six hours to irrigate the field, which resulted in saving INR 1,800. This technique also improved crop productivity due to the even distribution of water and fertilizers in the field.

Conclusion

The world population is slated to grow to about 9 billion by 2050. The challenge is to find ways and means to produce enough to feed it.

The challenge of reducing acreage under agriculture and food wastage in production and distribution is having a major impact on the world. The increasing role of technology in agriculture to address these issues is the only way forward to a food-secure future.

The increasing role of technology in agriculture to address these issues is the only way forward to a food-secure future. Together we can build a food-secure future for India by leveraging the role of science and technology in agriculture. Read more to partner with SMS Foundation today.

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India’s villages are not just homes to millions; rural villages are also the foundation of the nation’s growth. Yet, challenges such as poor infrastructure, low literacy, and limited health facilities continue to hold back rural life. Addressing the needs for village development requires a holistic approach that builds on local leadership, community ownership, and sustainable practices.

The story of Khursi village in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, illustrates how transformation is possible when communities take charge themselves with a little help. Backed by the HDFC Bank Parivartan Project in collaboration with S M Sehgal Foundation, Khursi demonstrates what true village development looks like.

What is Village Development?

Village development is the process of improving living standards in rural areas through better education, healthcare, agriculture, and livelihoods. This goes beyond infrastructure to empower people to make decisions about their own future. A village development officer (VDO) plays a formal role in implementing government programs, but local participation makes the real difference.

Khursi’s example highlights this. When a village development committee (VDC) was formed, residents began to plan their priorities: clean drinking water, improved farming, and women’s education. A blend of official support and community-led action shows how transformation becomes sustainable.

What are the Goals of Sustainable Development in Villages

The goals of sustainable development in villages include:

Khursi worked on each of these goals in a collective effort. For example, women took the lead in promoting kitchen gardens and nutrition games and activities that promote better family diets.

A Community-led Development Model

Community-led development means villagers identify problems, design solutions, and implement change. This model builds ownership, ensuring progress does not fade when outside support ends.

In Khursi, villagers decided together on their priorities. They demanded hand pumps for safe water, pushed for soil health training, and initiated a campaign against early marriage. The idea of participatory development was not new, but it came alive here because everyone had a voice.

Such community-based organizations ensure accountability. Unlike top-down approaches, local people are encouraged to see themselves not as beneficiaries but as changemakers.

Participatory Development and Empowerment of Women

One of the strongest lessons from Khursi is about the role of women. When women are empowered, entire communities change. Their involvement in village development committees shifted how decisions were made in her village.

These participatory methods align with the global push for women in leadership. In methods such as farmer field schools, women participated and helped bridge knowledge gaps. Women became trainers and motivators, demonstrating why women’s participation is critical for achieving rural development.

Agriculture and Traditional Practices in Transformation

Agriculture is the backbone of village life. Development cannot be imagined without strengthening farming. At Khursi, farmers returned to the valuable traditional agricultural practices, such as composting and crop rotation, and combined them with modern agriculture tools and techniques to produce better yields.

Through farmer field schools, they learned about soil testing, pest management, and water-saving irrigation. Practical sessions, such as using a board game about water to explain distribution and conservation, made learning easier. Farmers could see how blending old and new knowledge creates resilience against climate change. Such initiatives represent sustainable agriculture development, ensuring both productivity and environmental care.

Lessons from Capacity Development and Local Leadership

True village development depends on building skills, not just improved infrastructure. Capacity development had been a major step in Khursi. But training sessions in bookkeeping, sanitation, and nutrition turned local residents into problem-solvers.

Local leadership flourished. When men saw women confidently addressing meetings, their own perceptions shifted. Villagers began to respect decisions taken collectively. Community-based organizations anchored this momentum to ensure accountability and transparency.

The emergence of leaders from within—farmers, teachers, and women—proved that development is not imported, but nurtured.

Case study: Khursi’s transformation

Khursi’s journey is about people.

Consider Rukhsana, a mother of three. Earlier, she had little say in village matters. But as part of the Village Development Committee, she learned about clean water and sanitation. She became a motivator for other women, introducing nutrition games for adults in self-help groups to discuss balanced diets.

Farmers like Nafees also benefited. At farmer field schools, he learned to use agriculture tools for crop planning. He now grows vegetables using less water, and his income has doubled.

The children were not left behind either. Using education games and management puzzle games in school made learning interactive. Teachers noticed that attendance rose as students found joy in classrooms.

Each story painted a bigger picture: when villagers lead, change lasts.

What are the Major Challenges in Rural Development?

Rural development is vital for balanced growth, yet rural villages across India continue to face deep-rooted challenges that slow their progress. These challenges are not only about poverty but also about access, awareness, and opportunities. Some major issues include:

The Way Forward

The future of sustainable rural development lies in community-led models. Lessons from Khursi illustrate that when people unite, even small steps create large impact. Strengthening farmer field schools, building stronger women’s networks, and promoting participatory development helps to scale successes.

Technology plays a helpful role. Mobile-based advisory services, digital learning platforms, and even innovative crop games make knowledge sharing more effective. With youth involvement, villages move faster toward achieving sustainable goals.

The Bottom Line

Village development is the empowerment of people to create their future with dignity and sustainability. This empowerment is not just about better roads and buildings, but about building confidence, skills, and unity.

The story of Khursi proves that villages can become self-reliant when communities lead. From women in leadership to farmer field schools, every step built greater strength. The lesson is clear: with local leadership, participatory planning, and sustained effort, rural India can create their own transformations.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Village Development Lessons from a Community-Led Transformation appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Picture a village buzzing with energy where every adult has a say in building their community’s future. Gram sabha presents the village community with the opportunity of local participation in various matters of local importance. But does it have the ability to change the destiny of India and transform it? The article tries to draw upon the questions of gram sabha’s potential and whether it is living up to it.

Is the gram sabha living up to its potential?

Gram sabha is the village’s ultimate democratic stage, where every adult voter (18 and above) in a village or group of villages under a gram panchayat gets a voice. No elections are needed, and if you’re a registered voter, you will get to participate in the process.

The gram sabha consists of this vibrant and diverse crowd, making it the heartbeat of local self-participation. But is it living up to its hype? How does gram sabha work? It empowers communities to tackle local issues, approve development plans, hold leaders accountable, and make need-based plans for the village.

Gram sabha vs gram panchayat: breaking it down

Both bodies are the result of the bifurcation of local administration, mentioned in Article 243(b), 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. Gram sabha is a decision-making body that helps adult voters to brainstorm ideas to tackle problems and work for development. The gram panchayat is the elected body responsible for turning those ideas into reality.

Here is a simple breakdown of gram sabha vs gram panchayat:

Your Voice, Your Village: The Power of Gram Sabha

Gram Swaraj, as an idea of the self-reliant village, is a unique concept of rural reconstruction proposed by Mahatma Gandhi much before India’s independence that he developed over time.

To envision the power of Gram Swaraj, the gram sabha becomes the instrument to realize the power of people. The change that it brings to the whole community, if the people decide that collectively they can affect their local conditions. Gram sabha becomes the voice of the marginalized section of society, like women and “backward” classes, and breathes life into the vision of gram swaraj.

From prioritizing schools to auditing funds, the gram sabha has the potential to transform villages through community participation, but it needs active voices to shine.

Why gram sabha meetings spark change in society

What is the role of gram sabha in village administration? It’s the backbone of local self-participation, empowering villagers to shape their future.

The potential of gram sabha is immense; from being the harbinger of transparency as well as the voice of the community, it is also the point of contact for rural community participation.

Gram Sabha in Action: A Real Story from India

Organizations such as S M Sehgal Foundation help educate at the grassroots level about the awareness of various government stakeholders in rural development.

One such example, “Community Connect: Catalyzing Women Leaders for Collective Action at the Local Level” in Maharashtra and Bihar. The program trains 25 women per month in each village, focusing on building leadership skills, confidence, and knowledge of local participation systems like gram sabha.

The program also facilitates exposure visits to other villages, spreading awareness and inspiring replication. By fostering collective action, the initiative empowers women to challenge systemic barriers and lead sustainable community development, with plans to expand its reach to more villages.

From all these stories, we can see that, if utilized with proper channels, gram sabha can be a game changer that empowers and improves the living conditions of local people who don’t otherwise have the resources to move to big cities and prefer to stay close to their roots

Organization and community participation, and taking an active voice in local matters, create a quiet change that will benefit coming generations.

About the Author

Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation

Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.

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In rural India, awareness is nurtured through connection, communication, and context. Participatory rural games designed to educate while entertain are emerging as powerful tools to spread awareness and build capacities. These tools transform traditional board games into hands-on learning tools, addressing topics such as agriculture, health, nutrition, and community leadership.

These games are part of a broader movement in community-led development that values voice, inclusion, and adaptability. Engaging IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials helps bring complex issues to life, one dice roll at a time.

What is IEC Material and Why Does It Matter?

IEC stands for Information, Education, and Communication tools used to raise awareness, promote behavioral change, and build skills in rural communities. Printed leaflets, street plays, and now interactive games continue to evolve to match changing attention spans and technology habits.

Why games work better:

In a fast-paced, media-saturated world, participatory rural games stand out for their ability to engage and educate at once.

2. How to use Participative Games in rural India

2.1 What Types of Games Are Used?

The games are usually modeled on traditional board games (Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Memory Match), and tailored for specific educational themes. Each action within the game aligns with a real-life concept, such as an agricultural practice or a nutritional fact.

Popular themes:

Participatory games for educational purposes are often backed by training facilitators and paired with storytelling for maximum impact.

2.2 Where Do These Games Fit in Broader Learning Ecosystems?

Education games are not replacements for schoolbooks, but they serve as learning tools in many venues.

Used alongside IEC materials, such as pamphlets, videos, and charts, a layered learning approach is effective. Plus, they are easily replicable and scalable.

2.3 Top-performing themes That Work Best in Participatory Rural Games:

Some subjects lend themselves particularly well to game-based learning.

These games simplify complex systems and help people practice decision-making in safe environments.

2.4 Why Are Games So Effective?

The secret lies in game mechanics. When rules are clear, rewards are instant, and play is social, engagement is the result.

The mechanics:

The combination of visuals, movement, laughter, and storytelling ensures that people understand better, remember more, and feel empowered.

3. Why Participatory Games Are Transformative in Rural India

3.1 What Changes in Rural Communities?

Participatory games address information gaps as well a long-standing taboos and silence. When education becomes a shared experience through games, the transformation runs deep.

The power of participatory education is not just about what is taught, but what is retained and acted upon.

3.2 How Does This Support Community-Led Development?

Games are more than learning aids; they are tools of empowerment that align perfectly with the principles of community-led development especially participation, adaptability, and inclusiveness.

Why the community must lead:

Information, Education, and Communication is about dialogue, creativity, and accountability, which are all naturally promoted in the games.

From Passive to Participatory: Shifting the Learning Paradigm

In traditional IEC models, people listen. In participatory game models, people play, speak, question, and reflect. That is the shift we need.

These smart IEC tools also offer a chance to integrate digital gamification in the future, using AR or app-based board games for the same rural audiences.

By blending board games, IEC material, and community insight, this model offers a scalable solution to grassroots education and behavior change.

Traditional IEC tools such as posters or leaflets often fail to meaningfully engage rural populations. When adapted around local culture and needs, participatory board games and education games serve as trust-building, skill-enhancing tools.

Benefits:

Management puzzle games that teach crop planning, and gardening board games that illustrate nutrition cycles, serve as engaging formats to help local people connect learnings with daily life.

Real Voices, Real Impact

Comments from those whose lives changed through these games:

Looking Ahead: How Can NGOs, Panchayats, and CSR Use This?

Every rural development stakeholder from NGOs to local panchayats can adopt this model with minimal investment. Many organisations are already collaborating to create sustainable, gamified IEC material based on region-specific needs.

How to implement:

These games not only educate, but also unite. They foster group thinking, leadership, and a shared sense of progress.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Games

Participatory rural games are not child’s play. They are purpose-driven tools to spark curiosity, bridge information gaps, and bring about real social change.

Whether it is a water board game in a drought-hit village or a nutrition game for adults in an anganwadi, each game session becomes a gateway to transformation. As India embraces smarter rural development strategies, such low-cost, high-impact innovations will play a central role.

Vikas Jha
Principal Lead, Local Participation and Sustainability

Vikas Jha, Principal Lead, Local Participation and Sustainability at S M Sehgal Foundation has 20 years of professional experience in the development sector, especially in the areas related to strategy development, CSR project management, public policy analysis, capacity building (project team, community leaders & local institutions at grassroots) & social inclusion.

The post Beyond Games: Educating Rural India via Participatory Tools appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

What happens when a school turns into a pond every monsoon?

That used to be everyday life for Government Senior Secondary School in Kherla village, Haryana. Each monsoon, the grounds filled with water. Morning prayers stopped. Sports were cancelled. Students avoided the flooded toilets. Learning came to a standstill.

But in 2021, things changed.

With help from S M Sehgal Foundation and a CSR-supported project, the school now has a recharge well. This single intervention transformed the campus. What once remained waterlogged for weeks now drains in just two days. In addition, the recharge well sends more than 1.5 million liters of rainwater back into the ground each year.

How does water management impact rural development?

Water affects everything: farming, health, education, and daily life. Over 80 percent of India’s water is used in agriculture. Without water, rural life struggles. With it, all life thrives.

Why water management matters?

What are the biggest water-related challenges in rural India?

Even with numerous schemes in place, rural India faces a water deficit caused by a mix of natural and man-made factors:

What are the key activities in rural water management?

To make water management work in agriculture and rural development, communities must adopt a range of strategies:

These core principles of integrated water management programs are designed for rural India.

What does smart water use look like in agriculture?

Farmers do not need more water; they need to use it smarter.

These tools reduce agricultural water use while growing more food. They make farms climate-ready and more profitable.

Why must the community lead water management efforts?

Real change begins when people lead.

Water affects each household differently. Locals know which well dries up first, or which area floods fastest. When communities manage their own water, the solutions stick due to their ownership, care, and long-term maintenance.

Women especially play a key role. They manage water daily. When they lead, the impact multiplies.

How can collaboration improve rural water systems?

The most successful water management projects are those where CSR, government, and NGOs work together.

In Kherla, this three-way partnership solved waterlogging as well as public health, groundwater depletion, and school dropout challenges.

What long-term benefits can rural India expect?

When rural communities actively manage water resources, the ripple effects last for generations. Improved water access management increases farmers’ potential which means he can grow more than one crop a year, increasing their income and reducing reliance on seasonal migration. Clean, available water also improves public health by reducing waterborne diseases and improving hygiene.

Children, especially girls, attend school more regularly when they do not have to walk miles for water. Women gain time for income-generating activities and community participation. Recharge wells, check dams, and watershed conservation protect against drought, floods, and soil erosion, making villages climate-resilient.

Over time, farming becomes more profitable, youth find reasons to stay, and migration slows. Stronger local economies emerge, powered by better yields, healthier families, and empowered communities. Water becomes not just a resource, but a foundation for lasting rural development.

A 2023 World Bank report noted that better water management systems in India could raise the country’s GDP by up to 6 percent. That scale of transformation is possible!

What exactly changed in Kherla?

Kherla village, Haryana, transformed through just one smart move, a recharge well.

So, is water the key to rural success?

Without a doubt, yes.

Water influences every aspect of rural development—from agriculture to education, from health to employment. And yet, water remains under-prioritized in policy, planning, and action. The Kherla example proves that small-scale, sustainable water management systems can solve large-scale problems if communities are at the heart of it.

Let us embed water management into every rural development program, not as an add-on, but as the foundation. Let us fund smart water management systems, promote watershed harvesting, and empower villagers to take the lead.

Because when rural India controls its water, it shapes its future.

Lalit Mohan Sharma
Principal Scientist, Water Research and Training

Lalit Mohan Sharma is the Principal Scientist, Water Management, at S M Sehgal Foundation, with over 20 years of experience in water and soil conservation. He has developed innovative solutions, such as the JalKalp Biosand Filter and MatiKalp ceramic filter, for providing safe drinking water, and presented a freshwater model at the UN Solution Summit 2015.

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