In the harsh, arid landscape of Rajasthan’s Sikar district, Sundaram Verma, a Padma Shri‑honoured farmer, has demonstrated a remarkable achievement in water‑wise agriculture and desert afforestation. Over more than 30 years, Verma has successfully grown over 60,000 trees using just one litre of water per sapling, offering a powerful example of sustainable environmental stewardship and climate resilient farming. Verma’s innovative approach — often called 1 litre water method — works by trapping monsoon rainwater deep underground through strategic deep ploughing. This trapped moisture serves as a natural reservoir that young tree roots can access as they grow, eliminating the need for ongoing irrigation.
“What began as a simple observation during monsoon ploughing has grown into a practice that not only conserves precious water but also brings greenery to otherwise barren lands,” Verma explains. His technique has saved millions of litres of water and helped trees thrive in some of India’s driest regions.
In addition to planting trees, Verma has preserved over 700 native seed varieties, supporting biodiversity and offering farmers resilient crop options adapted to low‑water conditions. His work has inspired farmers across Rajasthan and other states to adopt similar water‑conserving practices, contributing to climate action and sustainable farming efforts nationwide.
Recognised nationally for his contributions, Verma was awarded the Padma Shri — one of India’s highest civilian honours — for his pioneering efforts in dryland agroforestry and sustainability. Verma’s story shows that in a water‑scarce country like India, wisdom and innovation in resource management can yield lasting environmental impact — proving that it’s not just water we need more of, but smarter ways to use what we have.
