Majority of farmers in the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district are forced to sit idle during the rabi season for lack of irrigation.

Assured irrigation facilities that can ensure at least three crops in a year to raise economic condition of the tribal farmers has been a distant dream in this part of the State. Lack of irrigation has been affecting the productivity as the farmers have to be satisfied with the Kharif crop cultivated with monsoon rain.

According to official sources, out of the total 3.15 lakh hectares (ha) of cultivable area, the Agriculture Department has targeted 86,000 ha for the current rabi season. The area includes around 2,500 ha for paddy while the rest is for non-paddy and cash crops including wheat, vegetables, pulses and nuts.

Sundargarh Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) Narendra Behera said of 86,000 ha, around 32,000 ha has irrigation coverage. Most of the non-paddy crops do not require regular irrigation and survive on soil moisture, he added.

If Agriculture Department is to be believed, the district has 22 per cent irrigation coverage for kharif crop. But, statistics are misleading. Executive Engineer (EE) to Major and Medium Irrigation Projects Saroj Patnaik said the collective potential of four medium projects at Pitamahal, Kansbahal, Sarafgarh and Talsara is 12,500 ha.

Similarly, EE for Minor Irrigation Jagat Satpathy informed that through 105 minor projects, they cover 17,158 ha during kharif while it comes down to 1,200 ha during rabi season.

EE to Odisha LI Corporation (OLIC) said of 627 LI points, around 120 are dysfunctional and together with 403 deep bore wells, the irrigation is extended to around 9,600 ha.

However, an officer at the Water Resources Department said at many places, the canal systems of Pitamahal, Sarafgarh, Talsara and Kansbahal reservoirs are in miserable condition.

While 60 per cent of minor irrigation projects run on pen and paper, the plight of lift irrigation points is no better.

Nuagaon block leads in horticulture farming. Of total area of 27,000 ha, around 6,100 ha is taken up for Rabi cultivation. Joseph Xaxa, a farmer of Nuagoan, said he had to quit the idea of a second crop for lack of irrigation facilities.

Source - http://www.newindianexpress.com/