VALPOI
Agriculture and horticulture in Sattari taluka are facing a serious crisis as the region has experienced an extended dry spell, with no significant rainfall for the past two months.
The lack of rain has reduced soil moisture, causing newly planted saplings to dry up in several areas and raising fears of substantial financial losses among farmers.
Against this backdrop, farmers from Sattari have demanded that the Water Resources Department (WRD) immediately arrange water for agricultural and horticultural purposes, expedite the process of storing water in check dams and activate lift irrigation schemes across the taluka.
Farmers have warned that if irrigation water is not made available within the next eight days, crops and plantations already under stress could suffer extensive damage.
They have urged the WRD to recognise the seriousness of the situation and take immediate remedial measures.
The WRD has undertaken work to install wooden planks in check dams to retain water. However, completing this process and accumulating sufficient water in the reservoirs may take additional time.
Considering the urgency of the situation, farmers have called for these works to be expedited so that the available water can be conserved and utilised for irrigation without unnecessary delays.
They have demanded that the department immediately inspect pumps, electrical connections, pipelines and water distribution systems and complete all necessary repairs in advance.
Apart from immediate intervention, farmers and agricultural stakeholders have demanded a more sustainable approach to managing water resources, particularly in view of the risks associated with irregular rainfall.
