RESOURCEFUL villagers in Badi, about 40 km from Jodhpur, resorted to a traditional Indian water-harvesting technique to overcome extreme water shortage. They constructed a small embankment (khadin) to collect rainwater.

Building a khadin begins with locating a natural depression. The depression acts like a basin into which rainwater channels run. During the monsoon, water collects at the embankment and seeps slowly into the ground, raising the water table. The khadin, a 4.2 m x 120 m wall, is built with local stone and masonry by the villagers who also designed it.

Badi, one of the driest regions in the district, has never been able to grow crops except during the rains, but agriculture there has received a boost from the rise in the water table. Says Maga Singh Thori, a Badi villager, "Earlier, I could barely get enough water in my well to grow jeera. Now I can grow not only wheat, but also mirch (red chillies)."

Another villager, Chotu Singh, says the water supply is so good now he has replaced the 12.5-hp motor in his tubewell with a 30-hp motor and can work it for 90 minutes before the water runs out, compared with just one hour before.