A River Lift Irrigation initiative led by Ambuja Foundation has transformed farming livelihoods for more than 5,700 farmers across 23 villages in Farakka, Murshidabad district, West Bengal.

The foundation, working with partners, installed 25 River Lift Irrigation systems covering nearly 747 hectares of farmland, addressing chronic water scarcity that had confined local agriculture to a single crop cycle, the Foundation said in a statement.

The River Lift Irrigation systems draw water from a nearby river, lift it to higher elevations and distribute it through an underground pipeline network, minimizing land loss and reducing maintenance costs compared with conventional irrigation infrastructure, according to the foundation.

To sustain the project, Ambuja Foundation established Water User Groups in all 23 villages to manage operations, finances and maintenance, while engaging local pump operators to keep the systems running. The community-led model generates enough revenue to cover operational costs and wages, while building surplus funds for future upkeep, the foundation said.

The River Lift Irrigation project has lifted cropping intensity in the region from 100% to 250%, while irrigation efficiency has improved by nearly 30%, the foundation said. Farmers who previously grew a single paddy crop are now cultivating Rabi crops such as mustard, wheat and maize, alongside vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, potato and tomato, enabling two to three harvests a year.

The economic impact has been significant. Average annual income per acre in the project area has risen to between 80,000 rupees and 150,000 rupees, from 25,000-30,000 rupees before the systems were installed, marking more than a twofold increase, the foundation said. Agricultural land values in the area have also climbed by nearly 20%, strengthening household assets.

“Ambuja Foundation is committed to bring a meaningful change in rural India. Therefore, we supported rural communities in Farakka with River Lift Irrigation systems which allow families to secure sustainable livelihoods within their own villages,” said Chandrakant Kumbhani, CEO of Ambuja Foundation.

“We look forward to collaborating on more projects under our sustainable agriculture program to strengthen and support rural communities on their journey toward economic resilience.”

The initiative forms part of Ambuja Foundation’s broader sustainable agriculture program aimed at improving rural incomes and water resource management across India.