VALPOI
The prolonged dry spell, with no significant rainfall for nearly two and a half months, has begun affecting agricultural activities in Sattari taluka. Declining soil moisture and drying fields have put newly established horticultural plantations at risk, prompting farmers to urge the Water Resources Department to ensure immediate irrigation and activate all non-operational lift irrigation schemes.
Although the taluka received rainfall for a day during this period, it was insufficient to improve soil moisture or replenish local water bodies. Farmers fear that several newly planted saplings could dry up if water is not supplied within the next eight days.
This year, farmers have undertaken extensive plantations of cashew, banana, mango, black pepper and arecanut. Regular watering is essential during the initial growth stage, but the prolonged dry spell has left many plantations without adequate moisture. Farmers fear substantial losses if the saplings do not receive timely irrigation.
Several check dams across Sattari store water during the monsoon, while lift irrigation schemes have been established to pump the stored water to agricultural plantations. The Water Resources Department has begun installing shutters at check dams to facilitate water storage.
However, farmers say storing water will serve little purpose unless it is supplied to fields. They have therefore urged the department to make all lift irrigation schemes operational and ensure that available water reaches plantations facing shortages. The department supplied irrigation water to plantations in December last year. However, rainfall had continued until relatively late, keeping soil moisture levels adequate.
This year, water scarcity has set in much earlier. Farmers have urged the department not to follow last year’s schedule but to arrange supplies based on the prevailing conditions.
Those with drip and sprinkler systems have begun watering their plantations using available resources. However, several farmers, particularly in hilly and remote areas, depend entirely on government-operated lift irrigation schemes and cannot afford alternative arrangements.
Farmers have urged the department to assess water levels in check dams, undertake necessary repairs and activate non-operational schemes without delay. They have also sought priority for areas facing severe shortages and a proper distribution schedule to ensure equitable supply.
Agriculture supports numerous families in Sattari, and damage to newly established plantations could affect their income for years. Farmers have appealed for immediate intervention, warning that further delays could result in the loss of saplings and their investment, labour and hard work.
