Farmer woes deepen as state blocks Narmada water in canals
Updated: Mar 12th, 2024
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| Gujarat Farmers |
Just when the farmers across the state were recovering from the damages caused by unseasonal rains, they are now set for a bigger challenge as Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd has decided not to provide irrigation water in the canals this summer.
Irrigation water will no longer be provided in the canals that pass through many areas of Saurashtra, including Surendranagar, Botad, and Jasdan.
This decision was taken amidst the estimations of a scorching summer in Gujarat this year.
Farmers have already borne the brunt of the economic loss as unseasonal rains and hailstorms have caused extensive damage to crops including cumin, coriander, and wheat. The state’s extensively grown cash crop, mango, has also been significantly damaged this year.
Inadequate pricing on these crops has also adversely affected the farmers.
While the farmers await any compensation from the authorities, this decision adds to their surmounting woes.
The finances of the farmers who have already purchased expensive seeds, pesticides, and fertilisers for the summer sowing season will be the worst affected.
Questions have been raised over this water cut as the Sardar Sarovar Dam is filled sufficiently.
An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) farmer wing leader from Surendranagar, Raju Kaprada, has written a letter to chief minister Bhupendra Patel regarding the situation and has demanded withdrawal of this decision.
He has also reportedly warned the authorities that the leaders could face the wrath of the farmers in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if their queries are not resolved.
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