Ecological balance restoration
Holistic development of villages on a watershed basis, restoring ecological balance by conserving and developing degraded land and water — with strong emphasis on community participation.
NWDPRA rainfed watershed development
National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas — a central government scheme delivered by Coodu Trust across the rainfed blocks of Dindigul and Madurai districts, Tamil Nadu.
16
Watersheds established
600
Farmers trained
1,700
User groups formed
2
Districts covered
The project
What this project set out to do
Project mission
National scheme to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in rainfed regions through a comprehensive watershed management approach, aiming for holistic village development on a watershed basis.
The National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) is a national scheme implemented by Coodu Trust between 2002 and 2004, with the trust serving as the key implementing agency alongside national agencies. Activities concentrated in the rainfed areas of Dindigul (Thoppampatty block) and Madurai (North, South and other blocks), covering 16 watersheds — 6 in Dindigul and 10 in Madurai — during the 2002–2003 period.
The programme built a participatory framework from the ground up, forming grassroots institutions — 16 Watershed Associations, 16 Watershed Committees, 1,700 User Groups and 700 Self-Help Groups — so that the farmers and local communities most vulnerable to the challenges of rainfed agriculture could plan and manage their own resources. A technological course on Kharif and Rabi crops in the Thoppampatti block trained 600 farmers in modern crop management techniques.
Exposure visits took 400 participants to Periyakulam Horticulture Farm and 70 participants to Rajasthan to study successful watershed models and modern agricultural practices. Across all its phases, the complete NWDPRA programme covered 20 watersheds in 2 districts of Tamil Nadu.
- Rainfed agriculture
- Community institutions
- Farmer training
- Watershed management
Why this work matters
The challenge on the ground — and our answer
The challenge
Shared land and water with no one to steward it
Without local institutions, degraded land and scarce water in rainfed villages have no community owner — development activities happen to people rather than with them.
Our response
Grassroots institutions in every watershed
16 Watershed Associations and 16 Watershed Committees formed across 16 watersheds, backed by 1,700 User Groups and 700 SHGs — so development was planned and executed with direct community involvement.
The challenge
Farming at the mercy of the rain
Farmers in rainfed blocks were among the most vulnerable to failed seasons, with little access to modern crop management techniques or working examples to learn from.
Our response
Training plus first-hand exposure
600 farmers trained on Kharif and Rabi crops in the Thoppampatti block, while exposure visits took 400 participants to Periyakulam Horticulture Farm and 70 to Rajasthan to see successful watershed models.
At a glance
The essentials
- Scheme
- NWDPRANational Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas — central government scheme
- Period
- 2002–2004National scheme phase, successfully completed
- Coverage
- 2 rainfed districtsDindigul (Thoppampatty block) & Madurai (North, South and other blocks) — 16 watersheds
- Beneficiaries
- Farmers & local communitiesThose most vulnerable to the challenges of rainfed agriculture; 600 farmers trained
- Partners
- National agenciesCoodu Trust served as the key implementing agency
- Part of
- Watershed portfolioComplete NWDPRA programme across all phases covered 20 watersheds in 2 districts of Tamil Nadu
Outcomes
What the project changed
Community ownership of resources
Watershed Associations, Watershed Committees and User Groups empowered local communities to take ownership of their resources — every activity planned and executed with direct community involvement.
Rainfed agriculture development
Comprehensive watershed management across two districts benefited vulnerable farming communities and enhanced agricultural sustainability in rainfed areas.
Get involved
Support rainfed communities
Join us in strengthening watershed institutions and farming skills so that villages dependent on the rain can build lasting agricultural sustainability across Tamil Nadu.