Adani Foundation, Ambuja Cements revive Ammagari Pond in Nadikudi, enhancing water security and rural livelihoods

EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS

·         Adani Foundation and Ambuja Cements restore Ammagari Pond in Nadikudi by enhancing its storage capacity through desilting, bund reinforcement, and removal of overgrowth.

·         The intervention recharged 8 borewells and improved irrigation for 12 hectares of farmland, directly benefiting 124 farmers and 1,504 community members.

·         The pond now provides reliable drinking water for over 4,500 livestock and has transformed agriculture with multiple cropping and higher yields.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building materials company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, along with the Adani Foundation has restored the Ammagari Pond in Nadikudi, Andhra Pradesh, to secure long-term water availability and strengthen rural livelihoods. Excavated nearly 50 years ago, the pond had lost its utility due to silt accumulation, bush overgrowth, and weakened bunds, leading to water scarcity for farmers, declining irrigation, and stress on livestock.

Through a focused intervention, the Adani Foundation undertook overgrowth removal, extensive desilting, and bund reinforcement to revive the traditional water resource. These efforts restored the pond’s capacity and improved its ability to harvest rainwater and recharge groundwater. As a result, 23 lakh litres of water now percolate annually into surrounding borewells and wells, ensuring year-round availability for farming and household use.

The restoration has brought tangible improvements to agriculture and community well-being. Around 124 farmers across 12 hectares now irrigate their fields reliably, cultivating cotton, chilli, maize, and other crops with increased yields. Eight borewells have been recharged, reducing dependency on rainfall and costly private water sources. At the same time, 1,504 community members benefit from enhanced water access, while 248 cattle, 2,700 sheep, and 1,600 goats now have reliable drinking water.

The rejuvenation of Ammagari Pond stands as a model for sustainable water resource management. By restoring a traditional water body, Ambuja Cements and the Adani Foundation have not only revived agricultural productivity but also reinforced water security, livestock health, and community resilience for communities around Nadikudi.