Naina residents face irrigation crisis as lift irrigation scheme remains defunct, say locals
Paddy fields drying up ahead of transplantation season
Pulwama: Residents and farmers of Naina village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are facing severe hardship as the local lift irrigation scheme has remained non-functional for several days, leaving vast stretches of agricultural land without water at a crucial stage of the farming season.
With the paddy transplantation period just 10 to 12 days away, farmers say the prolonged disruption in irrigation has created anxiety among cultivators who depend entirely on the scheme for watering their fields. The situation has become increasingly alarming as several fields that had already been prepared and irrigated are now drying up due to the absence of a regular water supply.
Local farmers said that paddy cultivation is the backbone of the area’s economy and any delay in irrigation at this stage could adversely affect crop production and the livelihoods of hundreds of farming families.
“We are approaching the most important phase of the paddy season. The transplantation of saplings is due within the next few days, but there is no water available in the fields. If the irrigation scheme is not restored immediately, farmers will suffer huge losses,” said a local cultivator.
Another farmer expressed concern over the drying agricultural land, stating, “The fields that we had already irrigated have started drying up. We invested money and labour in preparing the land, but without water everything is at risk. The authorities must intervene before the situation worsens.”
Residents alleged that the lift irrigation scheme has remained defunct for several days, severely affecting farming activities across the village. They said the problem is compounded by erratic electricity supply, which hampers the functioning of irrigation infrastructure even when repairs are carried out.
“We need a round-the-clock power supply for the irrigation system. Agriculture cannot wait. Every passing day is causing damage to our crops and increasing the burden on farmers,” said another resident.
Locals said agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for a large section of the population in the area, and any disruption in irrigation directly impacts household incomes and food production.
The residents have appealed to senior officials of the Irrigation and Agriculture departments, as well as the district administration, to take urgent measures for restoring the lift irrigation scheme and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to the irrigation installations.
“We request the higher authorities to personally look into the matter and resolve the issue on priority. Paddy transplantation season is around the corner, and farmers cannot afford further delays,” said a group of residents.
The villagers have sought immediate intervention from the concerned departments, warning that continued inaction could lead to substantial agricultural losses and affect the upcoming paddy cultivation season in the area.
