The delay in water supply to the fields in Sal through the Tillari irrigation project has left the farmers especially those involved in chilli cultivation in the area in a fix, with most of them fearing crop loss.
It may be recalled that after the monsoon season the authorities had stopped the Tillari water citing repair work. Herald had highlighted the plight of the farmers and the losses they could incur due to the untimely stoppage of Tillari waters. For around two months, the water was stopped and the farmers from Sal, who are dependent on the water, had to undergo hardship. “As there was a delay in water supply, we had no other option but to take up chilli cultivation,” Suryakant Raut, a farmer from Sal said adding, “We cultivated chilli almost a month-and-a half later, as compared to the last year, and this will certainly lead to problems in future.” “Chilli cultivation requires lots of water and as there was no supply, we had to delay the same. This will surely lead to losses as we will not be able to get the crop ready by May if there is a delay in the monsoon,” Raut claims saying, “In case of other crops, there is no problem, as they require less water but this year we are estimating 20 per cent loss in chilli produce.” There are about 200 farmers who cultivate various types of crops in Sal and most feel that chilli crop will be affected this year due to the delay in the Tillari water supply. “We have also cultivated cowpea along with chilli but they may not be affected as they require very less water. Besides the delay in water supply, there are some other problems the farmers are faced with, which would reduce the production. The presence of peacocks in the fields too has posed a serious threat to farming and if one fails to keep a check on them especially during the day, these birds would surely destroy the fields,” said Sawjanya Naik from Sal.
