TURA: Around 220 families in Kharkutta region of North Garo Hills have benefitted from newly distributed water treadle pumps which can be used for farming as well as homes.
A total of 110 pumps, one each for every two household, was provided at a cost of Rs 7 lakh through the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under the Integrated Tribal Development Project.
Prior to the handing over of the pumps, a two-day training on the installation and use of the treadle pumps was organised by BAKDIL NGO at Wa’ge A’si village of Karkutta block. Beneficiaries from different villages attended the training and learned how to operate the treadle pump and its maintenance.
Trainer Vikash Kumar Jha, Founder and CEO, RuKart Technologies in Mumbai, gave a demonstration on the use of the treadle pump.
He also taught the villagers how to maintain the treadle pump and how to make it useful in day to day living. The treadle pump needs repair, which can be done with available tools.
He also promised the farmers that if they can keep the treadle pumps in good condition for 3 to 6 months, he will provide them remuneration.
K Sovita Devi, DDM NABARD, East and North Garo Hills, who attended the training programme, encouraged the villagers to fully utilise the pump for the benefit of their homes and fields. She also advised the farmers to give adequate care in order to keep the pump functioning.
Under the Tribal Development Fund (TDF), funded by NABARD, farmers can provide sufficient amount of water supply to their crops with the help of the treadle pump.
“The treadle pump will be of great use for us and with the help of this, we will be able to irrigate our crops and vegetables with sufficient quantity of water,” mentioned the villagers, who participated in the training programme.
