Different techniques tried in Naigaon village of Gram Gourav Pratishthan, in village Ralegan Shindi and in village Adgaon where watershed development programme was undertaken; can be mentioned as under with their pros and corns.

LAND LEVELING

NAME OF THE TECHNIQUE : For some part of the villages Naigaon, Adgaon and Ralegan Shindi, another method of soil conservation is adopted i.e. leveling of the agricultural land.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE TECHNIQUE: At Naigaon village Pani Panchayat was having an area of 16 hect. experimental plot which was undulating and sloppy out of this, 6 hect is a steep land and remaining area of about 10 hect. was slightly sloppy. Though soil erosion in this area was not much, same action for conservation of insitu soil and water conservation was needed. The village is in the drought prone area. In some area the erosion was of the type of sheet erosion, where a thin layer of top soil was lost during rain. To avoid this phenomena, the area was converted into terraces at different contours.

Terracing or land leveling helps in soil and water conservation. When there is heavy rainfall, due to leveled fields velocity of water is reduced. This ultimately reduces chances of soil erosion. When water starts flowing slowly along the fields infiltration augments ground water table.

WHO WILL ADOPT THIS TECHNIQUE: The people who have undulating land can adopt this technique. Because unless the land is leveled, efficient water application to the crops is not possible.

WHY THIS TECHNIQUE SHOULD BE ADOPTED: Conservation of insitu soil and water can only boost up the production. Irregular, uneven lands can't hold soil moisture and so land leveling is necessary.

HOW TO ADOPT THE TECHNIQUE: Stripping of the mounts and filling the depressions is the main object. Besides terracing the lands with required height of soil and stone bunds at suitable contours are necessary. For marking contours some survey work is necessary and it can be done by trained personnels.

The land between two bunds is leveled with the help of bullocks or by some machines. Upper part of the field is excavated and filled in the depressions. Important part is that a waterway is required to provided to drain out accumulated water. These drains can be provided on excavated side.

RESULTS AFTER ADOPTION OF A TECHNIQUE: The observations are as under: 1. Soil along the sloppy fields is protected from erosion due to flowing water. Thus work of soil conservation is done without much technical knowledge. 2. Huge biomass is generated along the bunds which can be used for cattle as fodder and compost used as a organic manure. 3. As flowing water is obstructed, rate of infiltration is increased. At Adgaon, Ralegan Shindi and Naigaon there is good recharge of groundwater. There is substantial increase in moisture retention in subsoil. 4. Income level from moderately sloppy and eroded land increased. 5. Income generation from the trees in the form of fodder, fruits, fuel, green manure etc.

PROBLEMS IN ADOPTION: It is very difficult to convince people for leveling. People feel that land under embankment goes as a waste. They are not yet aware of the multiple gains from small sacrifices.

In some cases if soil depth is less, inferior quality of soil or even rock gets exposed.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM: If people became aware about increased yield due to increase in water level due to land leveling, they do all work willingly. This solution is adopted in Ralegan Shindi and in Naigaon.

In cases where soil depth is less, leveling is done with small widths, it is more or less similar to contour bunding. This is done at Adgaon.

KEY FACTORS IN SUCCESS: Factors contributing to the success are: 1. Low cost technique. 2. External input to the village is less. Some times it is in the form of a tractor for removing and relaying earth. 3. Participation of villagers in each and every stage of implementation of the programme. 4. Some financial assistance to the villagers from state government and from voluntary agency working there. 5. Huge employment is generated if work done manually. 6. Whole work is done considering village as a unit.