Microcatchment Techniques For Efficient Utilization Of Stored Rain Water In Gullied Lands

Leveling of gullied/eroded lands for arable cropping is a traditional practice in rainfed areas of the Pothowar. During the process of leveling, top fertile soil layer is buried down and successful cropping is not possible for many years. This study was started to manage these gullied/eroded lands by growing different fruit plants without leveling by bulldozer and utilizing stored rainwater and perennial streams. A catchment at Dhamal near Fateh Jang was selected, having an area of 1.4 ha with 5.7% slope gradient. This experiment was initiated in March 2002 with forty plants of fruit species including Grape Fruit, China Lemon, Sweet Lime, Blood red, Phalsa and Olive. Micro-catchment techniques i.e., Negarims and Semi-circle were applied to twenty plants each, for supplementary irrigation during critical and drought period from a running stream adjacent to the catchment. Results revealed that Grape Fruit, China Lemon, Sweet Lime, Blood red, Phalsa and Olive fruits yield were increased up to 26%, 10%, 24%, 18%, 11% and 4%, respectively by negarims over semi-circles. Water was uplifted by a pump and water productivity was calculated to compare the efficiency of negarims and semi-circles under applied supplementary irrigation. Water productivity of Grape Fruit, China Lemon, Sweet Lime, Blood red and Phalsa were enhanced up to 13%, 13%, 18%, 18% and 10% by negarims compared with semi-circles while in olive, semi-circles increased water productivity up to 19% . It was also noticed that these practices enhanced the nutrient use efficiency by conserving the soil and water. Increment in the annual income of the farmer through this strategy has encouraged the local community to adopt this practice and it became the success story in the area.