Gadwal: Paddy farmers haul water in tankers to save paddy crops

Farmers in Jogulamba Gadwal district are relying on water tankers to save standing crops amid inadequate irrigation water, falling groundwater levels and irregular power supply. A Neelahalli farmer pays Rs 500 per trip as cotton, tobacco and chilli growers fear similar shortages.

Jogulamba Gadwal: Despite the Jurala project being barely 10 km away, farmers in Dharoor, Gadwal and other mandals of Jogulamba Gadwal district are relying on water tankers to save their paddy crops amid inadequate irrigation water, power cuts and depleting groundwater levels.

In villages such as Neelahalli in Dharoor mandal, farmers who cultivated paddy using borewells are now forced to transport water to their fields in tankers to prevent their standing crops from drying up.

---

Jammanna, a farmer from Neelahalli, is struggling to save his two-acre paddy crop cultivated during the Vanakalam season. The crop has reached the harvesting stage, when it requires an adequate supply of water. However, the falling groundwater level has left his borewell unable to meet the crop’s irrigation needs.

With no other option, Jammanna is transporting water to his field in a 2,000-litre tanker, paying Rs.500 for each trip. Despite the additional expenditure, the water supplied is insufficient to meet the crop’s requirements.

Irregular power supply has further compounded his difficulties. With the crop at a critical stage, Jammanna has appealed to the authorities to intervene and address the irrigation water shortage. He has also urged the government to extend support to farmers struggling to protect their crops.

Farmers have expressed frustration over the situation, pointing out that they are facing an acute shortage of irrigation water despite their fields being located close to the Krishna river and the Guddendoddi reservoir.

The problem is not confined to Dharoor mandal. Farmers in villages such as Madinapalli in Gadwal mandal are also depending on water tankers to irrigate their fields.

Meanwhile, cotton, tobacco and chilli farmers in Alampur constituency fear that they could soon face a similar situation while trying to save their standing crops.