Reaching every farmer in the 16 villages of Thamballapalle Mandal in the Chittoor district was not a difficult task for T. Pareshamma, but convincing them to avoid water-intensive crops was it. Thanks to their persistent commitment since 2015, the farmers have converted, which has led to a noticeable increase in the millet acreage.
Thamballapalle is located on the northwest corner of the Chittoor district, bordering Anantapur, and is known as the constituency most at risk of drought. The parched throats have been looking for support for decades, but to no avail. The sharp drop in the water table over the past two decades was a cause for concern, but the situation remained grim. As a Community Resource Person for the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), a Gujarat-based volunteer organization, she touched almost everyone in the mandal and motivated them to take water-saving measures.
The Madanapalle Belt is known for rampant tomato cultivation, despite the high water consumption and price fluctuations that often leave farmers in the lurch. Ms. Pareshamma urged farmers to conserve groundwater by switching to simpler alternatives such as millet.
In the past two years, farmers have grown large parts of millet. “Foxtail millet, codo millet, small millet, green millet, ragi, sorghum, pearl millet are now grown in large quantities in the mandal, which has significantly reduced water consumption,” said Ms. Pareshammama The Hindu. As a logical extension, the morning cup of tea was replaced by a porridge made from millet powder. “Several women have admitted having been relieved of knee pain. I’m happy to be behind it, ”she adds.
The woman is now focused on improving the green on the hills and silting streams and tank beds to ensure water seepage. It also encourages farmers to build dams, dig trenches, and plant trees in communal areas. Their efforts have been caressed by none other than representatives from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the National Water Mission, New Delhi, who heard their voices at a recent virtual conference.
Pareshamma is one of the water masters who have been selected for an award in recognition of their services to the preservation of ecology.