When Watershed Management gives Farmers a Home

In Nammiyampettu, the hilly regions of Vellore district, live a little over 23 farming families. These areas are known for scanty rains and a rocky terrain that doesn’t retain water. The only crops that would grow here are millets that provide just enough for the families to get by on. With such a formidable environment as home ground, these families turned nomadic migrant labourers. The Nammiyampettu community heaved a sigh of relief, when Hand in Hand India along with partner organisations, brought in watershed measures. With check dams and storage bunds, harvesting rainwater for the year became easier, multi-cropping of more profitable crops came in. Nammiyampattu became home again to these farmers who gave up their nomadic ways!