Farmers in Jhapusabari Pt. III village in Dhubri district of Assam faced dual problems of flooding and water scarcity. Their fields were rainfed but with no infrastructure to regulate the flow of rainwater, their crops would first be flooded with water, and then suffer from water scarcity as the rainwater would drain out quickly. Both these situations were damaging to the crops, hence reducing productivity and consequently incomes.
This case study reflects the manner in which an RCC check dam, constructed under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), effectively resolved the problem by regulating rain water and retaining optimum water level for crop growth. The study also documents the consequent increase in incomes and crop diversification by farmers.