Watershed development projects are being initiated with the financial assistance of NABARD and the Western Ghats Development Project with the objective of rejuvenating the soil of Wayanad. The Brahmagiri Development Society has been the implementing agency for watershed projects in Wayanad district since 1999.
As part of the Western Ghats Development Project, several watershed projects have already been completed in Sulthan Bathery Municipality and Kottathara, Thirunelli , Vellamunda, Panamaram and Mullankolli panchayats with NABARD assistance. Currently, Brahmagiri watershed in Thirunelli panchayath and Cheruvallam watershed in Vellamunda panchayath are being implemented as part of NABARD’s KFW Soil project. In total 250 hectares of agricultural land will be benefitted from these schemes. NABARD provides Rs 54 lakh as plan outlay for each wetland project.
The farmers are also implementing schemes like manure production, mulching, azolla cultivation, well recharging, conventional paddy cultivation, bee keeping, fish farming, organic farming, drip irrigation, biogas production and fruit tree cultivation. The projects are implemented by the respective Village Watershed Committees along with Brahmagiri. Every month Brahmagiri and Village Watershed Committee representatives meet and submit activity report to NABARD. Financial assistance will be transferred to the farmers when the projects are completed. Collective efforts are being made to revive the agricultural heritage of Wayanad by overcoming climate change.