Global and Indian financiers support solar water pumps in climate-threatened tribal areas of Odisha

Flickr: The plan is to enhance groundwater recharge in the community ponds through structural adaptation measures and use of solar pumps for micro-irrigation. Gopi Sutar

India's National Bank for Agriculture and Development (NABARD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have sanctioned US$34.4 million support for a groundwater recharge and solar micro-irrigation project to ensure food security and enhance resilience in vulnerable tribal areas of Odisha.

The overall US$166 million project, being implemented by Odisha's Department of Water Resources, aims to respond to climate change issues such as drought and floods affecting the food security of agriculture dependent vulnerable communities. The remainder of the funding will be supported by the government of Odisha and the World Bank.

The plan is to enhance groundwater recharge in the community ponds through structural adaptation measures and use of solar pumps for micro-irrigation to ensure water security and food security in the areas most under threat. It is expected to improve the water table and water quality for around 5.2 million vulnerable communities in 15 districts of Odisha.

Tags: nabard, gcf, world bank, odisha, water pumps, india