Exploring options to save water in supply chain of nutritous food powder
Student name: Ms Himanshi Gupta
Guide: Dr Prateek Sharma
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Anshuman
Abstract: The study was conducted in the supply chain of raw materials for a nutritional food powder. Villages of Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab from where the raw material was procured were investigated, to find real life water related issues faced by them. The focal point of the dissertation was to identify the hotspot villages, and explore options therein to reduce water consumption in the supply chain. The surveys were conducted and complete water management profile covering domestic, cattle and agriculture based water usage was extracted. All the villages surveyed in Haryana and Punjab exercised flood irrigation (100%) while Rajasthan largely practiced sprinkler irrigation. Rajasthan also practiced rain fed farming. Majority of the villages were in the low rainfall zone which left no source but ground water as their ultimate source for all uses. This exerted more pressure on the existing groundwater reserves. Water sample testing showed presence of contamination in each sample. Fluoride and hardness were ruling among the quality issues. The major studies on groundwater depletion were justified as the respondents faced the continual decline of water table. Sanitary and hygiene condition was also compromised. None of the households practiced water treatment before consumption despite facing significant health problems because of the same. Majority of the villages used open defecation which was another major sanitation issue. Nine out of sixteen villages were notified by CGWB as over exploited zones with restrictions on ground water extraction. Analysing this insight with the secondary data completed the story with even better picture. Hence accounting for these entire issue hotspot villages was identified. The ones in most need of attention. Suitable interventions for the identified hot spot villages were recommended.
Keywords- hot spot villages, irrigation, supply chain, water practices, and intervention
