Many farmers in rural India, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and neighboring states in central India rely heavily on borewells for both, drinking water purposes as well as agricultural use. These borewells are increasingly threatened by rapidly declining water levels due to decreasing annual rainfall, extreme and unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change, and a growing abstraction for industrial & agricultural usages.

To overcome this challenge, it is essential to ensure a reliable water supply for crops while simultaneously empowering farmers to sustainably manage their land and enhance their overall well-being. WHEELS Global Foundation (WHEELS) is supporting its partner and Urdhvam Environmental Technologies’ innovation called BoreCharger that enables the rejuvenation of borewells at nearly 1/3rd of the cost and in three-times less time, relative to the standard approach of pond-harvesting.

WHEELS partnered with Urdhvam and Grameen Vikas Kendram (GVK) – who brought in local partner Rural Studies and Development Society (RSDS) – to launch the deployment of BoreCharger solution in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana villages, with the goal of determining a scalable and self-sustainable solution for 50M+ farmers that need it. 

In July 2023, 25 BoreCharger units were deployed across villages in Kurnool District and Bethamcherla and Dhone talukas of Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh. The pilot project showed impressive water level increases ranging from 30% to 400%, according to an impact assessment study conducted by WHEELS and Urdhvam.

The project utilizes, BoreCharger,  a well-engineered patented borewell recharge technology from Urdhvam, to maximize groundwater collection, recharge and storage capabilities. BoreCharger smartly harvests rainwater from the topmost part of the earth system and artificially injects it into the deeper aquifers, providing water to the borewells.

This recharge of borewells increases borewell yield, quality and duration of water supply considerably within a short span of time. It integrates multiple technologies to achieve impressive cost and time-saving results – satellite mapping of the terrain to confirm the fit, borewell angiography using an underwater digital camera, custom-built decision-making software to identify “Hydrogeologically appropriate” depth and a robotic tool to make the perforations in the casing pipe of the borewell.

The initiative’s impact on beneficiaries is multifaceted, leading to overall improvements in farmers’ irrigation water availability, food production, agricultural income, quality of life and the sustainability of their livelihoods. As these solutions are increasingly adopted, the expected outcomes include a reduction in farmer suicides and migration to urban areas, signaling enhanced livelihood stability. 

We urge all those with an interest in supporting the large underserved segment of India’s future to join WHEELS’ efforts by visiting www.wheelsglobal.org and getting involved in numerous ways to be part of our journey.

Also, you can Read the article in New India Abroad Edition.

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The author is the Marketing and Communications Manager, WHEELS Global Foundation.