The Hindu : Lack of water takes its toll on paddy crop

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Lack of water takes its toll on paddy crop

By S. Sundar

MADURAI, FEB.19. The euphoria over water release for irrigation for farmers and labourers in the tail-end region of the double crop area in the district is short-lived.

Lack of water for the crucial period has taken its toll on the paddy crop cultivated on around 8,000 acres of the normal area of 45,000 acres.

While farmers in the first and second reach areas of the Periyar Main Canal have squeezed through, those having their ayacut in 9th and 10th branch canal of the PMC are only reaping woes, in terms of crop failure, money loss and directionless migration of small land-holders and farm hands.

While many farmers can only allow the withering crop to die a premature death, a few others rue the loss, which they cannot avert, despite spending money for buying water.

"I have shelled out more than Rs.7,000 exclusively for buying water, over and above Rs.5000 spent on the usual agricultural inputs," says a 70-year-old farmer, Muthuambalam of Y. Pudupatti. Hosepipes winding through scores of farms to serve the standing crop at far off locations only speak of the desperation among farmers to save them.

Mr. Muthuambalam said he had coughed up around Rs.2000 towards rent for the hosepipes. All that his efforts could get him was a mere 25 bags of paddy, in lieu of the usual 150 bags he used to get on his four acres.

Even as the crop in hundreds of agricultural fields withered away at Kallandiri, a farmer, Azhagan, was seen putting up a brave battle to save at least a portion of the standing crop, unmindful of the fact that more than 75 per cent of the crop on his 60-cent-field had already died.

The roads that turn into thrashing field for farmers during the harvest season, forcing road-users to slow down their vehicles, are devoid of any such harvest activity. The only agricultural activity that one can see on the metal roads criss-crossing the agricultural fields in the neighbouring villages of Pudu Tamaraipatti, Rajagambeeram, Y. Pudupatti and Kallandiri is loading of haystacks over bullock carts and tractor trailers.

A saving grace for farmers is the exorbitant price they get for the hay. The price has shot up manifold from a mere Rs.250 for one acre, to Rs.1300, depending on the quality and height of the plants.

However, it has caused a serious concern for cattle-growers, especially those having milch animals. The crop loss has triggered a high demand for fodder.

Lack of employment opportunities has also forced farm hands to migrate to the city and neighbouring districts seeking jobs in construction, road-laying and other works. "Hundreds of workers used to come to our village for harvesting work, but unfortunately, our people are now going out," says Muniyammal (60) of Pudu Tamaraipatti.

When contacted, the Joint Director (Agriculture), P. Ramaraju, said 25 per cent of the crop cultivated by the 9th and 10th branch canals was fully damaged while the remaining was partially damaged.

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