In Gujarat’s cotton regions, extreme weather and water scarcity threaten farming livelihoods. Locally designed Holiyas are underground rainwater systems that recharge groundwater, reduce salinity, and provide year-round water - empowering farmers with a sustainable, low-cost solution.
THE PROBLEM
In Gujarat’s cotton regions, water-logging, flooding, soil erosion, and salinity severely impact farmers’ livelihoods and ecological stability. These challenges cause water scarcity during dry months and excess water during monsoons. Rooted in colonial-era structural inequalities, local farmers face
limited access to sustainable water management and technology. This water poverty deepens social and economic vulnerabilities. Addressing this requires locally driven, partnership-based solutions that empower farmers to sustainably manage water resources and break these historical patterns of inequality.
THE IMPACT
In Numbers
rainwater harvesting structures implemented
liters of water stored annually
farms are socially and ecologically water resilient
WHAT WE DO
Our Solution
- focus group discussions,
- the construction of Holiya structures,
- and trainings on sustainable water management for farmers
these rainwater harvesting systems offer farmers and low-maintenance and eco-friendly pathway to sustainability. One Holiya structure drains 5-10 acres and stores a total of 200,000 – 400,000 liters of water. Additionally farmers are trained in sustainable agriculture.