This ISPWDK Project is located at Kodli in Chincholi Taluk, the most backward Taluk in the district, and is a replication of the PIDOW model. The same concept is carried out in four districts of north Karnataka, with the Dry Land Development Board (DLDB), partnering NGOs and the local community.

MYRADA has covered an area of around 6000 ha in 15 villages under Phase 1. During Phase 2, the main focus has been the promotion of Dry Land Agriculture, Horticulture and Community Forestry with the DLDB providing technical support.

MYRADA's focus has been on building institutions such as Self Help Groups (SHGs), Watershed Implementation Committees (WIC), Watershed Management Committees (WMC) etc. Regular trainings are held on various subjects such as leadership, communication, conflict resolution, savings, credit and sustainable agriculture. Besides these trainings, exposure trips are arranged to research institutes, the university and other MYRADA projects.

As entry point activities, certain community-based programmes like drinking water and sanitation, health awareness camps, construction of community halls, promotion of kitchen gardens, etc. are carried out. Group income activities are also supported.

MYRADA has organised 64 SHGs and 6 WMCs. Of the 64 SHGs, 23 have been linked to the Krishna Gramin Bank.

Phase 1 of the project came to an end in March 1999. Phase 2 was planned and areas marked to carry out activities beyond March 1999. As the Government did not respond in time, SDC/IC decided to support partner NGOs to consolidate Phase 2 and prepare the communities for Phase 2 activities.

In Phase 2, the VDS - a registered body - implements watershed activities and is also responsible for handling and monitoring funds. MYRADA will provide technical support. The WICs help to ensure transparency and total participation from the community. This encourages the farmers to contribute and to address their priorities.

Action Research
MYRADA has initiated its rainwater-harvesting structures under MYRADA's Five Water Strategy. There was a demonstration on the construction of roof water harvesting and surface water harvesting. This has picked up well as there is acute water shortage in the area.

Demonstration plots of jowar and Bengal gram were taken up on 15 acres. MYRADA supported the programme with required inputs such as seeds and fertilisers and also trained the farmers in dry land farming methods. AME (Agriculture, Man and Ecology), a Dutch NGO, is involved in training the staff and farmers. A field day was also organised and invitations sent to all farmers in the neighbouring villages. The results are being assessed.

As an entry point, MYRADA has promoted 30 women's SHGs in the border villages (Andhra Pradesh) of Shadipur, Chincholi Taluk. This programme is supported by the Zilla Panchayat of Gulbarga and will adopt the watershed management strategy developed by MYRADA.