Lack of irrigation facilities effects paddy crop in Pulwama village
Paddy at ripening stage, no huge requirement of water at this stage: Official
Pulwama: In absence of irrigation facilities, the paddy crop in Lelhara area of Kakapora hamlet in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district is getting affected, locals said.
They said that huge land patches with paddy crop have got affected due to shortage of irrigation water in the area.
They said that despite located on the bank of river Jhelum, the existing irrigation facility isn’t working due to the low level of water in the river.
Ghulam Mohammad, a local resident said that since last two months the area has been facing shortage of irrigation water due to which major chunk of land with paddy is getting affected.
He said that the existing pump isn’t functioning and it seems that the farmers have to bear with less crop output this year.
Meanwhile, the locals said that they were unable to irrigate their paddy crop even during the sowing stage as well due to which the per kanal yield can get reduced drastically.
They said that despite bringing it into the notice of concerned authorities no steps were taken much ahead of the time.
The locals demanded that the government must take cognizance and take immediate steps so that farmers won’t suffer anymore.
Meanwhile, an official of the flood control department while acknowledging that existing facility isn’t working due to low water level in Jhelum said that fresh proposal has been submitted to provide irritation facilities to the area.
Interestingly, an official of the agriculture department said that irrigating paddy fields during primary stage was essential but during ripening stage, there isn’t much requirement of water.
Jahangeer Ganaie
