Bhawanipatna: Fed up with severe crop loss, farmers have loosened cattle in their fields at various villages here in Kalahandi district. With no standing crops, the farmlands look more like drought-hit cracked land patches.
Moreover, the lower portion of Indravati canal has dried up adding to the woes of the farmers.
Officials of Indravati Canal had agreed to provide water for Rabi cultivation this year. Believing the officials, farmers from Sandhikulihari, Kankeri, Tidiguda, Kanagaon and Luhagaon villages had taken up paddy cultivation this year.
As per reports, paddy was cultivated in around 2,500 hectare land this Rabi season. However, the crops started to die due to inadequate water supply to the villages. Despite repeated pleas to the officials concerned, the farmers failed to get the required amount of water for their crops.
A total of 4 cusecs water was required for proper cultivation. However, that much water could not be supplied and this led to crop loss
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JUNIOR ENGINEER, WATER SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
Earlier farmers – Venkat Naik, Vivek Naik, Keshari Satnami, Rashikaraj Kharsel and many other farmers had submitted a written memorandum to the water and irrigation department and Dharmagarh sub-Collector for supply of water. However, no steps were taken to provide water to the farmlands, bringing huge loss to the farmers after the crops dried up.
With no options left, farmers have left cattle to graze in their fields.
BUREAUCRATIC APATHY
- Paddy was cultivated in around 2,500 hectare land this Rabi season in the district
- Sans water supply, the crops dried up
- Many farmers had submitted a written memorandum to the water and irrigation department and Dharmagarh sub-Collector for supply of water
- The pleas fell in deaf ears
- With no options left, farmers have left cattle to graze in their field
When contacted water supply department junior engineer said, “Around 2,224 hectare of land was cultivated in the area. This required a total of 4 cusecs water for proper cultivation. However, that much water could not be supplied. This led to crop loss.”
Expressing resentment farmers demanded the administration to provide necessary compensation for the losses they suffered and provide seeds for Kharif season.