NELLORE: Farmers’ associations have been appealing to paddy growers not to raise crops by taking advantage of the recent rains while pointing to lack of water in Somasila and Kandaleru dams.
Stressing that it is difficult for the Irrigation Department even to address the needs of 3.21 lakh acres they had allowed to raise during the Irrigation Advisory Board meeting held in November, the Association leaders said that any additional extent would place the farmers in a piquant situation.
They reminded that water is at below dead storage-level in 1,658 minor irrigation tanks as against the total 1,752 tanks. The case is the same with respect to 104 medium and 66 major irrigation (MI) tanks out of 68 MI tanks.
Speaking to this correspondent, Federation of Farmers’ Association’s functionary Kota Reddy said that it is impossible to provide water for any additional extent, with present reserves.
Reacting to a question on the visit of Central team on Thursday to assess the drought situation in the district where all the 46 mandals are declared as drought affected, Kota Reddy expressed doubts over receiving compensation from the Centre.
“The teams came two times during the last three years but there was no benefit to the farmers. They may order for loan reschedule but the farmers will not opt for it because there is no concession in the interest rate if the loans are rescheduled,” Kota Reddy alleged.
He said they have submitted a representation to the team seeking compensation for the affected farmers besides MSP based on local conditions. Mr Kota Reddy said that the situation is grim this time because of water scarcity for the first crop itself, unlike in the previous years.
Meanwhile Agriculture minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy also advised the farmers to refrain from raising crops in more than the sanctioned extent of 3.21 lakh acres.
Taking objection to the suggestion of Opposition leaders to raise crops under the canals, he said farmers will end up in loss, if the crop withers due to lack of water. Appealing to the Opposition leaders to not do politics in irrigation matters, he said he knew how painful it is if the crop damages after investing '25,000 per acre.
