Let water flow till Mar 15, or compensate for loss: Khedut Samaj Gujarat

A day after the State government announced that it would provide water for irrigation till February 15, instead of the previously promised March 15, farmers' organisations have presented an ultimatum: Fulfill your promise or compensate us for the crop loss.

This was communicated to the state government by Khedut Samaj Gujarat, a farmers' organisation, which added that wheat, cumin, and jowar will incur major losses if irrigation facilities are discontinued mid-stream.

It also reiterated the demand for an account of the water used from the Sardar Sarovar Dam during the year. Khedut's general secretary Sagar Rabari holds that the extravagant use of water for the recent election campaign has created a shortage for farmers.

The Samaj said that the ad hoc diktats of the government have put the farmers in an uncertain situation, saying, "The government had earlier asked farmers not to sow summer crops as there wasn't sufficient water in the Sardar Sarovar Dam. However, farmers felt assured that their winter or Rabi crop was not at risk, as water was supposed to be available till March 15." Now the government says water will be available only till February 15, this will impact the winter crop too."

Winter crops are sown based on post-monsoon moisture availability and surety of irrigation facilities. "Wheat will be the biggest loser; cumin and jowar – which is a major source for animal fodder — will also be hit. Farmers still need one or two spells of irrigation or they will incur huge loses," said Rabari.