Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Apr 14: As the crucial paddy season approaches, the farmers in Kakapora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are grappling with uncertainty and frustration due to the non-functional lift irrigation facilities, which have delayed the sowing of paddy seed.
The residents of the Kakapora said that they prepared their land to plant paddy seed after assurances from the authorities but nothing has been done as of now.
They said despite repeated pleas to the authorities, no tangible steps have been taken to operationalize the irrigation systems, leaving people of at least six villages to lurch at large.
The delay has sparked concern among farmers, who fear that their seed may get wasted as they have kept in water for the last several days already and it is ready for sowing, they said.
“We depend on lift irrigation to water our fields. Without it, we can’t even think of beginning the plantation,” said Ghulam Rasool, a local farmer. “Every day of delay is adding to our misery and we hope the government will act swiftly.”
Farmers in Kakapora, where paddy farming is a primary livelihood, allege that officials had assured the activation of the lift irrigation scheme very before. However, on-ground reality paints a different picture as machines remain idle and water channels run dry.
They said that there is some issue between a contractor and the authorities but farmers have been made the scapegoats.
Locals also expressed concern over the lack of accountability and coordination among departments. “It seems no one is seriously monitoring the situation. The machinery is in place, yet no effort is being made to make it operational,” said another resident, Fayaz Ahmad.
The residents have appealed to the MLA concerned, DC Pulwama and irrigation department to take up the activation process and ensure that lift irrigation facilities are made functional without any further delay.
Meanwhile, an official assured that scheme will be made functional tomorrow so that farmers won’t have to wait further.
