Hyderabad-Based NGO Develops Breakthrough in Irrigation Technology

In the heart of India’s semi-arid landscape, a quiet but powerful innovation is reshaping the future of farming. The Centre for Environment Concerns (CEC), a Hyderabad-based NGO, has developed an inclusive irrigation solution that drastically reduces water use while improving soil health – a potential game-changer for smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas.

At the core of this innovation is SWAR – the System of Water for Agriculture Rejuvenation. Designed with and for farmers, especially female farm labourers, SWAR delivers a slow, assured supply of moisture directly to the plant’s root zone. Unlike conventional drip systems, SWAR mimics natural rainfall patterns, encouraging healthy plant growth and microbial activity while requiring just one-fifth of the water typically used in drip irrigation.

Born of Necessity, Built with Wisdom

The need for a water-efficient solution was stark. In many parts of India, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells have devastated harvests, placing enormous stress on farming communities. Traditional irrigation methods – from canal-fed systems to groundwater pumps – have proven both environmentally unsustainable and economically inaccessible to many.

Working closely with rural communities and drawing on three decades of experience, CEC sought to create a technology that was both effective and accessible. Their breakthrough came from blending traditional knowledge with modern engineering.

“We learned from age-old practices like buried clay pots used in sacred groves,” said K.S. Gopal- CEC President. “These pots slowly released moisture into the soil. We modernized the principle, overcoming issues like clogging and inconsistency, and created an efficient system suited to today’s farming needs.”

How SWAR Works

SWAR’s innovation lies in its simplicity and sustainability. Rainwater or water fetched from nearby sources is stored in overhead tanks. Using pedal-powered pumps, water is distributed via a network of large and lateral pipes. At each plant root zone, water is delivered to specially designed buried clay pots, which "sweat" moisture slowly into the surrounding soil based on the soil's suction and the plant's needs.

Each pot, buried around 30 cm deep, is fitted with microtubes and sandbags that regulate the flow, requiring no electricity or advanced machinery. The result is an autonomous, low-cost, low-labour irrigation method that saves not only water but also the effort of women who traditionally carry water long distances during peak summer.

The Results Speak for Themselves

Initial trials have been encouraging. Compared to drip irrigation, water use dropped by 75–87%. Despite using less water, plants under SWAR grew faster and healthier, with stronger stems and larger leaves. Soil retained moisture for over a week, weeds were minimal, and microbial life thrived. In head-to-head trials, crops under SWAR outperformed those using drip systems, even during extreme heat waves.

One farmer commented, “SWAR is like a mother—distributing food carefully to everyone. Drip irrigation is like a man eating most of it and leaving little for the rest.”

CEC has also successfully piloted SWAR in vegetable and flower cultivation, with excellent outcomes in both crop yield and farmer income. In closely planted crops, water use dropped to one-eighth of drip irrigation needs.

Global Recognition and Future Path

In recognition of its impact, SWAR was awarded the Global Champion Innovation Prize for Water and Forestry at the 2015 Paris International Agricultural Show. Yet, challenges remain. India’s irrigation market is dominated by large corporations benefiting from subsidies and policy advantages, while smaller, farmer-driven solutions struggle to gain institutional support. “Government procurement systems are complex, and knowledge is often tightly held by scientists and corporations,” K.S. Gopal, President, CEC explains. “Yet the Prime Minister’s call for ‘More Crop Per Drop’ gives us hope. SWAR aligns perfectly with this vision.”

Toward Sustainable Farming

CEC believes the future of Indian agriculture lies not in large-scale industrial irrigation, but in efficient, farmer-led solutions that harvest and store rainwater, deliver moisture gradually, and support healthy soils. SWAR’s development shows what is possible when innovation emerges from the ground up—guided by traditional wisdom, scientific inquiry, and above all, the lived experience of India’s farmers.

As climate change accelerates and water resources dwindle, SWAR offers more than a new technology—it offers a new way of thinking about farming in drylands: moisture over volume, roots over runoff, and resilience over reliance.

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