No water in canals, drought likely

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BERHAMPUR: There seems to be no end to the woes of the farmers in Ganjam district. While untimely rains spoiled crops last year, lack of irrigation water signals an imminent drought in the region.The farmers completed transplantation when it rained last month. The crop now badly requires water, but there is no water in the canals to irrigate the land. While the farmers are faced with a difficult situation, the elected representatives and government officials are busy in preparation for the panchayat polls, alleged Simanchal Nahak of Rushikulya Rayat Mahasabha.  Nahak said over a lakh farmers are yet to receive compensation for the last year’s crop loss. He alleged that the Government identified only eight blocks for damage to crops neglecting other areas that suffered similar fate. Despite lack of government help, the farmers decided to cultivate their lands hoping for a good harvest, he said, adding that inadequate rainfall had already rendered 50 per cent of cultivable land barren.According to agriculture office sources, around 79,000 hectare in the district was brought under paddy crop, which is 44 per cent of the target. Inadequate rainfall had already affected transplantation in 20 blocks. Meanwhile, Ganjam Collector Kishen Kumar has directed irrigation officials to immediately release water in the canals.