Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jalna sponsored by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi and established by Marathwada Sheti Sahayya Mandal, Non-Government Voluntary Organisation initiated extension activities from 1993 in small village Kadwanchi, taluka Jalna and district Jalna. Kadwanchi village, situated in Jalna Taluka 18 km away from Jalna city, having population of 1,954 and 1,191 ha of cultivable land.  The soils are shallow (5 -25 cm) and undulating and rainfall ranges from 220-1000 mm.  Kadwanchi watershed consists of three villages namely Kadwanchi, Waghrul and Nandapur with area 1607.64, 28.40 and 252.03 hectares respectively. Kadwanchi watershed is situated between latitude 19°53´ N and longitude 76°00´ E. Information about Kadwanchi watershed is given in Table No. 1 to 4.

As per the mandate given by ICAR, training of farmers, farm women, rural youth and extension functionaries, conducting Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) on oilseed, pulses and other crops, On Farm Trials (OFT), etc. were also conducted by KVK. Initially, awareness camps and trainings of farmers and rural youth were conducted, for motivation. Self-help groups of women were established to initiate the process of women empowerment. Field visits, kisan melas, mahila melavas were organised to have constant touch with farmers to get specific feedback on problems of the village. During interaction with community it came to realization that water scarcity is the major constraint in getting expected yield of crops, to conserve soil and to maintain soil fertility. Watershed development was the only way to bring out the village from this situation.  This was the appropriate time to introduce watershed concepts amongst the farmers.  Krishi Vigyan Kendra availed this opportunity and changed its way of working. Watershed development was given due importance. The village was taken under the Capacity Building Phase (CBP) supported by GTZ-WOTR and subsequently proposed for Full Implementation Phase (FIP) supported by KfW-NABARD, under Indo-German Watershed Development Programme.

Participatory Project Planning:

Net planning survey and drainage line survey were conducted to identify different land use patterns, land capability classification, number and stages of gullies, grade of drainage, farming practices. Socio-economic survey was undertaken as a benchmark to analyse the impact of watershed management on socio-economic aspects of villagers.  In this survey income, entertainment facilities, migration, health & hygiene, kitchen sanitation, harmony among people, literacy and community-based facilities were taken into account.
Project was phased for five years with ‘ridge to valley’ approach. Total grant utilisation is Rs. 1,22,08,860/-, Rs. 6,466.55 per hectare and Rs. 4626.30 per head.

Soil and water conservation measures were undertaken in participatory and scientific manner to an extent possible considering the needs and views of the villagers. The physical achievements and financial utilisation is mentioned in Table 5 & 6.

Soil conservation treatments were carried out with priority in order to conserve soil, enhance soil moisture, support vegetative growth, check sedimentation, control run-off velocity, strengthen ground water regime, create employment opportunities, etc. Major soil conservation treatments are trenching and bunding with vegetative cover.

To treat the ridges, first all hilly within watershed area are treated with contour continuous trenches (CCT) followed by plantation, grass seed sowing on the soil mount. Water absorption trenches (WAT) were excavated between CCT. CCT & WAT control erosive velocity of water along with an opportunity to infiltrate the water resulting in recharging of ground water. Private wastelands were also treated with contour bunding and contour continuous trenches and dry horticulture. In all 157.71 hectares of area was treated under trenching.

Land under crop cultivation (CC) was treated by proper peripheral and compartmental bunding, plantation, grass seeding on bunds and proper spillway installation to drain out excess run-off to natural drains. Compartmental and peripheral bunds serve the purpose of soil and water conservation equally and are socially acceptable. Agro-forestry, agro-horticulture was adopted alongwith crop cultivation in 1337.13 hectares.