Problem Statements of the Bundelkhand Region

During the course of intervention, Parmarth has analysed the grass root reality of the Bundelkhand on sample basis through action study and observation method. The findings reveals following reality:

Agriculture Economy and Water Scarcity for Irrigation

1. Approx 50% agricultural land is fallow in the rabi season, which imbalanced the village economy and food security of the region
2. Non-availability of irrigation facilities in the region also affects the crop growth and it is assumed that the farmers will be in the looser end in the coming season
3. Cannel system of the Bundelkhand region is also not providing water for irrigation, only one cannel named Paricha Canal is providing water supply for water for 45 days for irrigation facilities in some part of Jhansi and Jalaun districts. This 45 days supply has not met the target of 120 days
4. Water availability in dam only met the water availability for cattle rearing only
5. Nearly 90% canal is dry in the region, which is in verge of scarcity of water
6. Farmers have irrigated their land from ground water sources like tube well, open well, etc., which has further lower down the water table in the region. Data reveal that water table lower down by 2 metre in comparison with previous year
7. It the also anticipated that in the coming summer season, villagers will face water crisis. Villagers will not get the safe drinking water for their basic needs. Presently, the villagers are getting water from private water tanker. And the accessibility of water to poorest and socially excluded group becomes major problems in the region
8. Equitable and proper distribution of water is major concern in the region, as dominant groups have strong control and access over water sources

Food Security and Livelihood

1. Villagers are not getting wage employment especially agricultural wage labour
2. Agricultural related on farm livelihood sources like value addition work of agricultural product, molasses making, rope making work, etc., affected and not meeting the need of the poor community group
3. NREGA is providing wage employment opportunity in the region, but it is not sufficient in the situation like drought and famine
4. Villagers are facing inter and intra food security at families level due to low agricultural productivity
5. Due to fodder and water un-availability, villagers have left their animal, which has affected the livestock rearing activities in the region
6. Non-availability of wage work is further forcing villagers for migration
7. Triple marginalisation of women in the drought / famine condition

Denial of Health and Education Rights

1. Regular drought and scarcity of water increased the vulnerability and risk of infectious diseases among poor and vulnerable community groups
2. It also reduced access to schools and children forced into work
3. Villagers are more prone to diseases/ailments like tuberculosis and anaemia
4. Children are not getting proper nutritional diet, which further creating health problems to villagers especially children, women and elderly person facing health problem. Pregnant and lactating women worse affected
5. School going children are either not attending regular classes or left the school as they are working for livelihood security of the families

Governance Failure

• Government run drought programme/relief packages, but is not being properly implemented and meeting the needs of poor and marginalised groups
• NREGA is not effectively providing wage work opportunities and even it is not sufficient in the drought like situations, NREGA should be applicable for more days in the drought hit areas
• Farmers are getting into trap of indebtedness - nearly 80-85% farmers of Bundelkhand region fall into clutches of either local money lender or bank. Low productivity and loss in farming does not allow farmer to repay their loan in time, which ultimately creates crisis situations for farmer
• Rights and entitlement and social security schemes/programmes is integral to good governances, but eligible people do not enjoying their rights/entitlements in true sense