In an arid landscape where keeping a single tree alive often demands abundant water and continuous care, a visionary farmer from Rajasthan has demonstrated that science and patience can turn barren soil green. Sundaram Verma, a resident of Danta Ramgarh in Sikar district and a recipient of the Padma Shri honour, transformed conventional agriculture by formulating a dryland technique that establishes a healthy sapling with just one single litre of water. Rather than depending on frequent artificial irrigation, his method locks existing soil moisture in place, allowing young plants to build self-sustaining root systems. Through this breakthrough approach, more than two lakh trees now thrive across once-parched tracts.
His achievements stand as an inspiring lesson for youth who view public service roles as the only measure of career stability. After completing his BSc degree in 1972, Verma was selected three times for the post of a government science teacher. Despite the strong security that such a position offered in that era, he chose not to join on any of the three occasions. Instead, he made farmland his workshop, embarking on rigorous agricultural trials designed to yield maximum foliage with the bare minimum consumption of water. He was convinced that the arid regions of Rajasthan required a homegrown ecological answer rather than conventional farming practices.
Targeting Scarcity as the Heart of the Problem
During the early phase of his work, the acute shortage of irrigation water formed the single greatest hurdle to afforestation across Rajasthan's arid and semi-arid terrain. Verma treated this acute constraint as the foundation of his experiments. He closely studied regional environmental conditions, the behavior of natural monsoon moisture inside soil strata, and the survival requirements of native flora. Recognizing that frequent watering was practically unfeasible in desert zones, he sought a method that would utilize the ground's natural moisture bank rather than surface supplies, ensuring the sapling would survive without regular watering.
The Arrival of the One-Litre Sapling Model in 1995
Following years of practical observation, Sundaram Verma formalized his one-litre technique in 1995. The central premise of this innovation is that a sapling requires external water only once during its initial plantation, taking precisely one litre. After that single application, the plant relies entirely on moisture trapped in the soil from seasonal rainfall. The goal was to eliminate recurring irrigation cycles and force the young plant to seek sub-surface moisture independently. He implemented this methodology across the Shekhawati belt and other regions of Rajasthan. More than 100 locations across Sikar, Jaipur, Nagaur, Didwana, and Jhunjhunu districts saw successful plantations under this system. In numerous instances, the saplings never required a second dose of water and grew steadily into mature trees, turning this experiment into his signature innovation.
More Than Two Lakh Trees Across Barren Stretches
The scale of this method's success is visible in the vast number of surviving trees. According to Sundaram Verma, over two lakh saplings have been established using this unique dryland framework. A significant share of these plantations took place in regions plagued by deep groundwater tables and scarce canal irrigation, where standard sapling care would have failed. Over time, these trees brought rich greenery to barren, low-fertility parcels. Verma maintains that in low-rainfall provinces like Rajasthan, afforestation cannot be measured merely by counting planted saplings; true success depends on conserving the moisture surrounding each plant. By tying plantation directly to scientific moisture management, he ensured that every raindrop is conserved in the subsoil.
Capturing Every Drop of Monsoon Rain
Verma's methodology extends well beyond digging holes; it operates as a comprehensive on-farm water management structure. To prevent rainwater from running off and evaporating, mulch or plastic sheeting is laid out along long corridors flanking the tree rows. This keeps precipitation from dispersing across bare earth and channels it into the immediate root zones. While rows carrying fruit-bearing plants remain open, the adjacent terrain is engineered to direct moisture straight toward the trees. Any surplus rain is directed into an on-farm pond constructed within the field boundary. The stored water can later be redistributed via drip irrigation setups when specific crops or plants need supplemental nourishment, creating a tight loop of soil and water conservation.
Soil Preparation Precedes Plantation
The success of the single-litre water method is largely determined before the sapling even touches the soil. Sundaram Verma emphasizes that thorough weed eradication is non-negotiable. Unwanted vegetation competes aggressively with young saplings for scarce soil water and nutrients. If weeds are left unchecked, the effectiveness of the dry-planting technique drops sharply. To capture and preserve subsoil moisture, fields must undergo deep ploughing twice: immediately following the first monsoon shower and again right after the season's final rain. This practice disrupts weed growth and locks rainwater deep underground. Saplings are then placed inside narrow pits measuring approximately one and a half feet deep and four inches wide. Keeping the perimeter free of weeds after planting remains vital to long-term survival.
Conserving Native Species and 20 Lakh Litres of Rainwater
Alongside his water-saving techniques, Sundaram Verma has dedicated considerable energy to promoting native plant varieties suited to harsh local climates. He worked consistently on preserving and developing indigenous species capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and prolonged dry spells. Rainwater harvesting serves as another pillar of his farming setup. On his own land, he established infrastructure capable of capturing approximately 20 lakh litres of rainwater. He asserts that the true solution to regional drought lies not in digging deeper borewells, but in halting every falling raindrop on the field and utilizing it through disciplined scientific methods.
Global Acclaim and the Padma Shri Honor
Verma's contributions to sustainable dryland farming have earned widespread recognition in India and abroad. In 1997, he was honoured in Canada with the Agro-Biodiversity Bio Award for his pioneer work. Later, the Government of India recognized his exceptional lifelong dedication to eco-friendly agriculture and afforestation by conferring upon him the prestigious Padma Shri. Today, his journey remains a compelling testament to how scientific curiosity and commitment to one's roots can overcome even the most formidable ecological challenges.
