Farmers urge early release of water

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Salem: Members of the Cavuery Delta Farmers Protection Association (CDFPA), which is one of the largest bodies of farmers from the delta region, claim that unless the state government takes a decision to release Mettur water within a week, it might be too late for the kuruvai crops causing losses for thousands of farmers.
“We are already lagging behind in planting kuruvai crop as there was absolutely no water in the dam during the beginning of June when the sowing season starts. Now, there is water but if we delay in starting the crop any more, we might not be able to harvest them as it would October–November when the next rains begin,” said Swamimalai Vimalnathan, Thanjavur district secretary of CDFPA.
He pointed out that most farmers were confused about whether to go for kuruvai crops this year as the monsoon seemed to be a little delayed.
“Even minor vagaries in the monsoon timings affect the prospects of farmers in a big way. Hence, we urge the state government to immediately organise a meeting with farmers in our region and pay heed to our demand or release water immediately. Else, all the rain will go waste,” Vimalnathan said.
Members of the association also pointed out that while the state government had advised farmers with pumpsets to go ahead with planting kuruvai crop (which amounts to about 1 lakh acres), only 60 per cent of them could actually do so due to depleting groundwater levels.
“To recharge groundwater, at least 10,000 cusecs of water should be releaed immediately and the government should take necessary action to ensure that farmers’ interests are protected this year at least,” another CDFPA member said.