Domchanda (Nizamabad): In view of severe drought conditions, the farmers on the banks of river Godavari have adopted the centuries old open well system. By spending lakhs of rupees, farmers are digging the open wells to save standing crops like paddy, turmeric and jowar.
For the first time in last three decades, the river Godavari dried up in downstream areas Sriramsagar project in Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karimnagar districts.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle Bejjenki Mallaiah, a farmer of Domchanda village in Morthad mandal on Monday said that farmers were forced to dig open wells on the banks of river Godavari to get water and save the standing crops. “A JCB machine is engaged at '2,200 per hour to dig the well and additionally pipelines will be set up in the agriculture fields,” Only 10 per cent new borewells succeeded in the villages and farmers fell into deep financial crisis, he said.
Meanwhile, the farmers of Balkonda, Velpur, Morthad and Kammar-pally mandals in Nizamabad district and neighbouring Adilabad, Karimnagar district have also opted to dig open wells. Prior to non-availability of power supply and submersible motors, farmers in Telangana districts depended on open wells. With the help of bullocks, they irrigated the agriculture fields through traditional “mota bavi” system.
Presently, the farmers are reeling under drought conditions and unable to provide water supply to withering crops. Commercial crops like turmeric and paddy are the lifeline for farmers and they are trying to save it. Narra Linga Reddy, a kirana shop vendor in Domchanda village said that there are no alternate steps to save the people from drought conditions. “My wife Rajavva is a job cardholder in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, but she is unable to get regular wages,” he lamented.
Small and marginal farmers are going for labour work under NREGS for their livelihood. Most farmers are complaining that they are not getting remunerative wages and delay in payments. To prevent migration of people from drought hit areas, NREGS is only alternative to provide employment at their doorstep, but in vain.
The farmers are demanding input subsidy and financial aid to rescue them from the clutches of drought.
Elected representatives or officials have not approached farmers on drought relief measures. Hundreds of families have been suffering with lack of employment and food, but have not received any sort of help from the administration.
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