Community-centered interventions as sustainable solutions: Cattle trough ensures efficient water provision at Malegaon Kali village

Cattle rearers in the community had to go vast distances every day to obtain water for their animals, which was a time-consuming and labor-intensive chore. Each year, the farmers find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of crippling and backbreaking drought and then devastating floods. Additionally, insufficient irrigation water supply reduced farmers’ capacity to plant crops widely.

AKAH developed a reliable solution by building a livestock trough at the village’s entrance. This strong reinforced concrete (RCC) trough can be easily filled with water in a variety of ways, avoiding the need to transport the entire herd to distant water sources. Its strategic placement allowed animals easy access while grazing or returning. The prior trough, on the other hand, was prone to damage as livestock rubbed against the walls for comfort. Additionally, AKAH provided drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to the farmers with the objective to improve agricultural practices. This approach had a substantial impact since more water became available for irrigation. Previously, horticulture plants required a considerable percentage of the water, restricting cultivable regions. Farmers gained the capacity to plant new crops with the advent of micro irrigation, increasing agricultural production in the area.

 The construction of the cow trough at the village entrance has given a reliable and accessible water source for animals, removing the need for extensive travel. This has significantly decreased the load on livestock farmers while also improving their overall well-being. At the same time, the introduction of micro-irrigation systems has transformed agricultural practices in Malegaon Kali. Farmers now have enough water for irrigation, allowing them to grow more crops and boost agricultural production. This has improved the village’s economic prospects and food security, while also empowering the agricultural community.

The Malegaon Kali village case offers an example of how community-centered initiatives may result in transformative outcomes. AKAH has enhanced cattle rearers’ livelihoods and encouraged farmers to diversify their agricultural operations by solving the difficulties of cattle water shortages and restricted irrigation.