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To reverse the trend and offer hope to the women in Rajasthan, scientists and a local development group has been working to provide science-backed research to improve traditional water storage technology. Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT
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On her 40 bighas (6.5 ha) of land Manibai grows pearl millet, cluster bean, green gram, moth bean, sesame and watermelons. “Pearl millet is only for self-consumption while the pulses are sold if there is any surplus left over,” she says. Photo: Prashant P
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Lack of water combined with poor soils also makes it difficult to get any returns from agriculture. Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT
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Due to climate change, lack of water is an issue that blights the daily life of women in Rajasthan. The region faces a water scarcity 9 to 11 months a year and frequent droughts. “Hum sab pani ke dukhi hain (water is a major problem for all of us),” says
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Off a dusty track that stretches into the remote vastness of the western Indian state of Rajasthan stands a little thatched-roof and mud walled dwelling – Manibai’s home. Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT
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Rameshwari Devi has been instrumental in encouraging other women in her village to be part of the project. Dhirasar village, Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT
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A taanka (traditional water harvesting system) has a catchment area to collect rain water and store it underground. But they had fallen into disuse. Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT
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To improve nutrition and supplement livelihoods, fruit trees have been provided to RameshwariDevi and other women. “These trees will not only provide nutrition but if there is a good harvest we can also sell in the market,” she says. Photo: Prashant Panji
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She grows bajra (pearl millet), moth beans, til (sesame), and moong (pulses) but cannot produce enough to sell in the market. Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT
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“If it rains then there is fodder for the animals. Else they will die. One maund (40 kg) of fodder costs ₹400 (USD 6.6) which is very expensive,” says Rameshwari Devi. Photo: Amit Chakravarty, ICRISAT
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Rameshwari Devi gets up at 4 am to fetch brackish water from a source 3-4 kms away. Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT
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The Thar desert covers 60% of the state of Rajasthan, India. Food, fodder and water are perennially in short supply. Women trek miles to fetch water which may not even be fresh water, but brackish instead. Photo: Amit Chakravarty, ICRISAT
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Women leader - Rameshwari Devi, Rajasthan, India. Strategies that took women’s needs into account and worked directly with the women made big impacts. Photo: Prashant Panjiar/ ICRISAT