Agrarian crisis: Farmers in dire straits across Telangana

Withering crops, dried-up streams force farmers in several districts to hit the streets

Hyderabad: The shortage of water has been troubling farmers much before the onset of summer, with fears rising over what the situation would be if summer actually sets in. In many districts, farmers have already taken to the streets demanding water for their standing crops.

Scarcity conditions in Warangal

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In Parvathagiri mandal of Warangal district, farmers on the outskirts of Ravuru village are facing acute scarcity conditions. The Akeru stream has dried up, leaving paddy crops withering. Despite their appeals to authorities, no action has been taken. Former Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao visited the area, inspected the check dam and withering paddy fields, and assured the farmers of his support.

He spoke to Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy over phone and apprised him of the situation, seeking release of water to save the crops. He spoke to Irrigation Chief Engineer concerned as well and requested him for steps to save standing crops.

Hardships ahead of summer in Rangareddy

Several pockets in Rangareddy district are experiencing drought-like conditions, with farmers facing hardships as summer begins. Paddy crops planted on around 50,000 to 60,000 acres are drying up due to a lack of irrigation support. Farmers in different mandals, including Yacharam, Monigowralli and Daddipalli are worried as their crops are withering. They have invested heavily in farming, hoping for government financial support, but are now in distress with no means to repay their debts.

Water woes in Jangaon

In Jangaon district, the Devadula project has stopped pumping water, affecting seven reservoirs. The water levels have dropped considerably and farmers relying on these reservoirs are facing crop failures. The delay in supply of Godavari waters has added to the crisis, with local MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, who visited the dried-up fields, criticising the government and demanding immediate action to provide irrigation support.

Karimnagar farmers protest, still wait for water

Farmers from Karimnagar rural mandal have already demanded the State government to protect their standing crops by supplying water into the Sri Ram Sagar canal from Narayanpur reservoir.

Farmers from Mokdumpur, Nallguntapalli, Mandulapalli, Chegurthi and Erukulla had even submitted a representation to the District Collector last month. They had sowed crops in 1000 acres, they said, adding that the entire crop was likely to wither as wells and borewells located on the bank of the rivulet were completely dried up. They had also brought the issue to the notice of union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Thungathurthy farmers on protest mode

Farmers from the Thungathurthy constituency in Suryapet district staged a demonstration on the Suryapet-Dantalapalli main road in Nuthankal mandal last month, protesting against the failure of the Irrigation department to ensure irrigation support to the Rabi crops in the SRSP Stage II ayacut. The farmers said their standing crops were withering.

Water crisis drives Suryapet farmer to suicide attempt

A young farmer shockingly attempted suicide as his crops were left dried up due to a severe water crisis in Kudakuda village of Suryapet district last month. Vemulakonda Lakshmaiah made an attempt to end his life consuming pesticide in the midst of his withering crop, anguished over the lack of timely water supply from the SRSP canal, a situation he attributed to the current Congress government’s failure.