Gondia's Sadak Arjuni gets water conservation, climate-smart farming push in 20 villages
A water conservation and climate-adaptive farming project backed by HDFC Bank and the Maharashtra government is being rolled out in 20 villages of Sadak Arjuni taluka in Gondia district.
The HDFC Bank Parivartan-Vidarbha Water Stewardship Project (VWSP) is being implemented in 20 villages of Sadak Arjuni taluka in Gondia district. The project, launched on the initiative of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, focuses on water conservation, climate-adaptive farming, strengthening village-level institutions and developing sustainable livelihoods. The Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) has been working on the project since May 2026.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project was signed recently. The initiative covers 535 villages across 9 blocks in 7 districts of Vidarbha. Of these, 185 villages will be covered under HDFC Bank Parivartan, while different activities will be carried out in 350 villages through PoCRA. The project aims to accelerate development across Vidarbha through conservation of natural resources, climate-adaptive farming, water conservation and sustainable rural development. Speaking at the MoU signing, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the initiative would certainly help change the picture of Vidarbha.
Under the project, Village Development Committees (VDCs) have been formed in all 20 villages of Sadak Arjuni taluka to encourage community participation in planning and local-level decision-making. During the kharif season, farmers are being trained in climate-adaptive farming methods, modern technology and sustainable agriculture through farmer schools, agricultural demonstrations and exposure visits. A process is under way to select beneficiaries for sustainable livelihood schemes such as goat rearing and backyard poultry farming for needy and underprivileged families, with priority being given to landless families, widows, women-headed households and small farmers.
Under PoCRA Phase 2, 32 villages are being added to the initiative in coordination with the government. Village-level "Parivartan Sahayogis" will be appointed to inform farmers about various government schemes, help them access benefits, and coordinate with the relevant departments. From December 2026, works such as pond renovation, deepening and widening of nullahs, cement nullah dams, new ponds and other watershed development activities will be taken up in a phased manner. These works will help increase water storage, promote groundwater recharge, boost agricultural yields and strengthen the villages' ability to cope with climate change. The project is being overseen by WOTR director Prakash Keskar, regional manager Sharad Bhangade and Sadak Arjuni project manager Rahul Panchbhai.
