SAMUHA Kanakanala Watershed Development Project is operational in Tavergera Hobli of Kushtagi Taluk, Koppal district. This project is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Swiss Government and involves 24 villages that come under the catchment area. The first phase of the project was initiated by the Govt. of Karnataka and implemented by the Dry-land Development Committee, and is now complete. The second phase of this project began only in March 2002 although the initial plan was to commence work in April 2002. The govt. of Karnataka decided against participating in the second phase of the project. The Swiss Development Cooperation/Inter Cooperation however decided to continue with the second phase of the project, in association with NGOs, whilst incorporating certain amendments. The project duration was extended up to 2005. It was decided that the Village Development Society would be the implementing authority at the village level.

New techniques and concepts have been introduced by SDC through a thrust on increased local participation, less capital-intensive conservation practices to enhance production and income generation while addressing issues of gender and equity.

The uniqueness of this project is in its efforts to integrate the society in all dimensions.

For community monitoring to take place efficiently and in a sustainable manner, the standard of living of the people play an important role. With this in mind, along with watershed development, livelihood programmes and programmes to increase crop yield have been reckoned with.

Sustainable Agriculture is an important area of intervention under agricultural production. The thrust is to create awareness amongst people taking into consideration their economic, social and environmental conditions and introducing techniques that are locally applicable.

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