SG/OFI/SEVAI Thottiyapatty and Dasilnaikanoor watershed projects promote pot irrigation method.

Pot filled with water with a rope fixed  pot for pot irrigation

SG/OFI/SEVAI Water Project being implemented

Pots for drip irrigation

in Thottiyapatty and Dasilnaikanoor watershed projects wants to conserve water but still want to make sure that the trees are not under-watering. Watershed Development aims to conserve water and soil in an area where rain flows downhill to a central river or stream. This run-off, if not managed properly, takes with it much needed top soil and water. Clay pot irrigation saves around 50% of water without depriving the plants. This pot irrigation is an adaptation of an ancient method of irrigation It uses the porous nature of clay pots and a small hole in the pot connecting ground and pot to allow osmotic pressure to suck the water into the soil where it is needed. People use beautiful fired pots called “Mann Paanai” with a narrow neck buried in the soil.SEVAI project workers bury the prepared clay pot almost up to its neck in the soil but not too deep so that soil falls into the pot and fill it with water and Plant seedlings 18 inches around the base of the pot. Water slowly seeps out through the clay wall of the pot, directly irrigating the soil around the pot. As the roots grow they will wrap themselves

Dug pot irrigation

around the pot. Theplants take up almost all the water, and because the water source is now in the ground, evaporation is very negligible. This project keeps the pot filled up with water provides a steady source of irrigation when r plants need it. The buried clay pot method of growing plants is one of the most efficient traditional systems of irrigation known and is well suited for small farmers. Buried clay pot irrigation uses buried, unglazed, porous clay pots filled with water to provide controlled irrigation to plants. A simple, automated drip-irrigation system of pot irrigation, which applies water slowly and directly to roots, frees from hand-watering and helps eliminate harmful fluctuations in soil moisture. Plants respond by growing full and lush. This pot irrigation in dry land area injunctions quickly and easily create a customized irrigation system for plants, saving time on watering chores and keeping plants hydrated and healthy. To conserve water and maintain soil health and fertility is n important feature of food production. Since water is a vital part of agriculture, managing it properly is a must. Soil erosion depletes the top soil which contains microorganisms needed for healthy crops and leads to land degradation. Pot irrigation eliminates such a soil erosion and keep the plants growing with minimal water for food and fruit production. Land and water management, agriculture development, a forestation, livestock management, fodder development and livelihood support form the core of this program.-Govin