Banarpal: The government has launched hundreds of programmes for farmers to improve their condition and to protect crops.
But many farmers find themselves in trouble as the programmes are not being implemented properly. The condition of the farmers in Bauligarh area of Banarpal block is a case in point.
Most of the lift irrigation (LI) points installed here have become defunct, and this has partially paralysed farming operations.
Agriculture happens to be the primary occupation of 70 per cent of the population of Bauligarh. The crops cultivated here are paddy, pulses, vegetables and oilseeds.
The authorities installed four LI points on the Lingara Canal nearly 20 years back. They were meant to irrigate around 100 hectares. The four LI points had pumps.
The unused pumps are now attracting thieves, and the irregular supply of electricity has added to the woes of farmers.
Most of the pumps have already been stolen. As summer is approaching farmers are worried about not having irrigation facilities. The connecting pipelines of the LI points are also getting damaged.
Some farmers have managed to irrigate their fields on their own. But that is not enough and yields have dropped. Some of the fields are lying uncultivated here.
Farmers Jimuta Sahoo, Sushant Samal, Pilu Bhukta and Maisa Samal have appealed to the authorities to repair the pumps immediately, and for a permanent solution to their irrigation problems.
PNN
