Gujarat: Farmers to block roads if irrigation water not provided

Farmers of Mahuva, Talaja, Ghogha and Palitana talukas of Bhavnagar district have threatened blocking (chakka-jam) of main roads and other protests if state authorities do not provide them water for irrigation to save standing crops. Farmers claim that enough water is available but the authorities are not supplying water even after taking an advance payment. "Farmers are facing severe drought. There is water in the dam and the payments have been cleared. But there is no water supply. Our crops are destroyed too," said Pratapsinh Gohil, a farmer of Uncha Kotda village of Mahuva taluka.

Farmers had submitted a memorandum to government authorities recently. Shetrunji dam in Palitana taluka supplies irrigation water to farmers of Mahuva, Talaja, Palitana and Ghogha talukas. "Authorities have taken money for three round of irrigation but has so far given only two round of irrigation. We are awaiting the last round," said Gohil. Onion is the major crop in the region. Farmers have also grown crops like bajra and jowar, which can also be used as fodder keeping in mind severe drought this year. Moreover this area has orchards of fruits like mangoes and chikoos. "Both the winter crops and horticulture crops desperately need water or else they will die down. The season for mango is approaching and if farmers do not get good crop, it will be a big financial loss, especially in a year when agriculture was a major challenge," said Sagar Rabari, founder president of Gujarat Khedut Ekta Samiti.

Farmers had requested to release water for irrigation but the request was denied, claimed Rabari. "Authorities say, water is needed to supply potable water during summer. But they also said that Narmada water under SAUNI scheme has been added to Shetrunji dam to meet requirements for potable water. Then there is no reason to withhold water at a time when farmers desperately need it," said Rabari. Farmers have planned to block roads on March 22.