In Maragondanaguni micro watershed of Kenganapalya sub watershed, bunding activities were very slow in the beginning. However, an idea was given to the area group members to form a team within the AG and start bunding work.

Accordingly, five members of the Yakkadakattehalla AG came forward and executed bunding work in the field of 15 farmers. Motivated by this AG, other AG members also came forward to take up the bunding work. In this way, bunding worth Rs. 443857.00 was completed. This activity has generated labour for 40 members since 40 days. The labours included 9 landless families, 15 marginal farmers and 16 small farmers. As a result of this intervention by the area group the members have earned a quantifiable amount and they have utilized this amount in the following way.

• Three members have purchased cows
• Ten members have purchased household furniture.
• One member had purchased a pair of bullocks.
• Few members have cleared of moneylenders loan.
• One member purchased cycle.

Now, the above AG members are taking up bunding works in other micro watersheds.

Impact of bunding: Sidadaragalluhalla sub watershed

About 90-meter trench cum bunding work was completed in the coconut garden of Shri Kariyanna S/o Ramanaik, Marinayakanahalli-1 MWS, in survey number 103.

The work was completed on 01.08.2005. The landscape is undulating and there are about 25 coconut plants. According to the beneficiary, the performance and growth of the trees was improved after the bunding work. The size of the fruits increased and number of fruits also increased after bunding. He also planted Sapota on the bunds. A four-meter boulder check was also constructed in this land. Shri Kariyanna is the vice president of the EC. Similarly there were reports about the improved performance in Tamarind trees after completion of bunding activity.

Good Practices

Kenganapalya sub watershed-Yelerampura MWS- III phase

EC meetings are being conducted regularly. Meetings are not conducted without quorum and the attendance in the meeting is good. In the EC, record keeping, book maintenance and updation of all the records are carried out regularly by the book writer and treasurer. Payments will not be made without completing the CMR. There were instances of the few EC members pressuring the treasurer to make payment without CMR. But, Shri Shiuvakumaraiah, treasurer strictly following the guidelines of the Sujala and making the payments only after CMR and passing the resolution in the EC meeting. Shivakumaraiah also participates actively during the door-to-door visits and EC meetings and motivates others for improvement of the progress. He can be a model treasurer.

AGs involvement in work implementation

In Chikkadoddawadi MWS, the progress was poor. Interactions were held with the EC members regarding this issue during the LNGO visits. The farmers said that there is scarcity of labour in their villages. Alternative strategy of AG members coming together and completing the work was given to the AGs in the MWS. !7 members of Halekere AG took the responsibility of implementing the works of their AG and completed field bunding work and saved Rs. 5000.00 as a common fund to AG after getting their labour. The strategy is also adopted by Maragondanaguni MWS and Jakkenahalli MWS.

The ECs have took a decision that 60% bunding work has to be completed before starting the DLT works. This has booted the bunding work in all the MWS. During the review meeting, the FNGO and AO took a good decision that all the DLT works are to be implemented through AGs and the concerned AG should enter into an agreement that it should maintain the structure in future also.

Jayamangali sub watershed-II phase, Madhugiri taluka

This EC has adopted the practice of inspecting the major works such as check dam, RRS, EB, and MPT etc before making the payment.

All the EC members including the president used to visit the place to see the quality of implementation. On 18.4.2006, all the members along with the agriculture assistant, Shri Arjun Naik, have visited the CD work under construction in survey number-9 and made some suggestions. The LNGO shared this during the audio conference on 24.4.2006. The ADWDO suggested all the FNGOs to adopt the same practice in their sub watersheds.

IGA- at Jayamangali Halla SWS (KIDS- FNGO)-II phase

Vadasalamma SHG, Nanjapur (Hanumanthapura MWS): Revolving fund under EDP activity was given to 16 out of 17 members. Six members have purchased goats; six members used the fund for business (Banana, vegetable selling) and four members have purchased cows. The fund was given to members at Rs.2% service charges per month. The members are repaying only interest and not the loan amount. Orientation was given to SHG members to repay the loan amount also, at least monthly.

Vinayaka SHG, Kodagadala (Egihalli MWS) - There are twelve members in this SHG. Revolving fund was given to 11 members in the month of Sep-05. Eight members purchased goats, one member started piggery activity. One member purchased buffalo and one member started petty shop. Buffalo purchased by Jayamma has died. However, she is paying back the loan. The fund was given to members at Rs.1.5% service charges per month. Loan recovery is under progress at Rs.200/month. All the goats have given birth to two kids each. All the IGA activities are going on well.

Narendra Foundation, Gummaghatta- III phase

In Bodarahalli micro watershed of Gummaghatta sub watershed, the WA and FG have started a small library in the EC office since three months. Few books and magazines pertaining to agriculture and general issues have been displayed in a shelf. The initiative was appreciated and suggested to display the books prominently so that other visitors and farmers can have a look at the library and make use of it and replication in other micro watersheds also.

Kindhearts, S.Halla

The field guides and WAs should bring the contribution receipts and payment vouchers while coming to the weekly review meeting without fail.Their MWS progress will not be taken if they do not bring these documents. This is to ensure that the progress reported and the progress in the field should be the same and to avoid giving advance progress by the field staff. The information gets entered in the system every week and one can have the correct progress and financial status of each MWS at any point of time.

We would like to thank German Agro Action for very kindly sharing the case studies for the portal.