Dharmagarh: Paddy farming in Kalahandi district received a boost after the commissioning of the Indravati project in this sub-division. The district even set records in paddy production in the state.
However, this is no longer the case at present due to lack of farsightedness on the part of the dam authorities and poor maintenance of the canals, it was alleged.
Earlier, farmers in the district improved their lot by raising paddy in both kharif and rabi seasons using the water of the reservoir. However, farm activities have been severely hit due to less water in the canal. Though the farmers had set an eye for a bumper crop this season, scarcity of water has thrown a spanner on their plan.
According to reports, Indravati authorities released water into the canals January 1 as per their earlier announcement. Accordingly, hundreds of farmers of Gambhariguda, Merghara, Taranja, Brahmanchhendia, Chilichila and Telipalas completed preliminary works including planting of saplings.
But suddenly, the volume of water started receding towards the third week of the month to the shock of farmers. While the authorities released up to 70 cusec water during first two weeks, it came down to 35 cusec after January 20.
It was learnt that the authorities had reduced the volume of water to save the pulse cultivation in downstream region since they need less water.
Meanwhile, paddy growers are in distress over the decision of the authorities. If such a problem was inevitable, the authorities should have informed them beforehand, the farmers said.
On the other hand, the farmers who raised grains like black gram, green gram and gram claimed their crop was damaged due to release of excessive water in the first two weeks of the month.
At present, the authorities are in a tight spot whether to release further water.
Farmers in rabi season required 60 cusec of water in January, 70 cusec in February and 90 cusec in March for their farming activities.
However, the dam authorities released nearly 40 cusec of water which has caused the problems for farmers, Simanchal Satpathy, assistant engineer of sub-division-4 of Indravati left canal said.
Chief engineer of the project and the state government have been apprised of the ground reality, he added. PNN