Meet Biplab Ketan Paul, Who Converted 40,000 Acres Of Arid Land Into Productive Farms

[JANASENA]

 

Bipab Ketan Paul is fondly remembered by the farmers of Gujarat for his lasting contribution that would change their lives for the better. Paul implemented a unique system that would solve multiple problems of farmers that they face in the drought-hit regions of Gujarat. It includes lack of availability of water for multiple crops due to scanty rainfall, saline underground water and lack of water conservation to aide irrigation.

Paul’s invention called as Bhungroo conserves rainwater of 10 days underground by diverting the rainwater through pipes. The rain saved in 10 days later serves for irrigation for 7 months. The water stored underground not only helps in water conservation and irrigation but also reduces the salinity of underground water which is a characteristic feature of drought-hit regions.

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The conserved water now helps farmers in many ways:
1. Better crops and more crops for farmers, they are able to plant 3 crops a year now thanks to Bhungroo.
2. So far 14,000 farmers and 40,000 acres have benefited out of this system of conservation.
3. The method has gained worldwide accolades and acceptance, Mr. Paul has been a recipient of various awards like the Ashoka Globalizer Award for Innovation in 2012 and 2014.
4. Biplab has received accreditations from World Bank, the Commonwealth, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Asian Development Bank.