Exploitation of groundwater goes up drastically in Telangana, say geologists

Paddy, maize and wheat growers sinking multiple borewells due to insufficient water supply from local irrigation projects

Mancherial: Private geologists say exploitation of groundwater has significantly gone up in Telangana with farmers of paddy, maize and wheat not getting sufficient water for irrigation from local projects.

Farmers who grow paddy, maize and wheat are sinking multiple borewells to irrigate the crops. They are increasingly depending on the borewells with their crops withering following lack of water supply from local irrigation projects. Due to growing reliance on borewells, the groundwater table has depleted, the geologists say.

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“Earth has become strained with farmers opting to sink not just one, but at least two borewells. This is resulting in unprecedented exploitation of groundwater. However, the ground is not recharged by rain water at the same rate of exploitation,” V Rajkamal Reddy, a senior geologist from Peddapalli town remarked.

The geologists estimate that at least 30 per cent of rainfed crops were withering due to lack of adequate irrigation facility in Telangana. They advise the farmers to go for crop diversification as suggested by the previous BRS government to overcome the challenge.

They observe efficient management of rainwater would recharge the groundwater such as digging rainwater pits and chain tanks.

Considering the rise in number of borewells, farmers are hiring private geologists to detect water in the ground. Farmers disclose that they pay around Rs 6,000 per visit to do the job to a geologist. They also provide transportation facilities and food to the geologists. Some farmers are jointly roping in a geologist to reduce the burden.

Agriculture experts opine that farmers can alternatively grow sesame crop to avoid financial burden caused by sinking borewells. They reasoned that the oil seed crop is raised in 75 days and consumes significantly less quantity of water than paddy. Similarly, the price of sesame is higher than many other grains.

According to agriculture officials, paddy area cultivation had increased from 5.25 million acres in Kharif 2020 to 6.677 million acres in Kharif 2024. In 2023, paddy was raised in 6.59 million acres as against 6.5 million acres in 2022 and 6.21 million acres in 2021.