Hyderabad-Based NGO Develops Breakthrough Irrigation Technology : Dr. M. Suresh Babu, President, Goutham Buddha Development Society

In the heart of India’s semi-arid landscape, a quiet but powerful innovation is reshaping the future of farming.

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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 onefifth 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 canalfed 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.