Farmers Movement Archive

Dry canals delay cotton cultivation in Malwa dists

Cotton farmers in the Malwa region are perturbed as the cotton cultivation has been delayed due to acute shortage of water. Sirhind canal and Kotla branch canal have been running dry for over a month now. These two canals supply water for irrigation to majority of Malwa districts. Agriculture experts say the period between April 15 and May 15 is the most conducive to start cotton sowing for better yield.With canals running dry and electricity supply to submersible pumps remaining suspended to prevent fire to wheat crop and stubble on fields, there is barely any alternative left for the cotton growers to irrigate their fields. Farmers have threatened if the canal water supply was not restored, they would launch agitation against the state government.“It has been almost a month since water was released in the canal. I am left with no alternative but to wait for either restoration of the canal water or power supply to sow cotton on my five-acre field. It is disappointing to see the crucial period to sow cotton going by. The administration should make adequate provision to ensure farmers get water for irrigation through alternative sources,” said Sukhpal Singh, a cotton farmer from Kot Shamir village in Bathinda.Sarup Singh Sidhu, general secretary, BKU (Lakhowal), said: “The government wants farmers to diversify, but it doesn’t want to extend any help. Scores of cotton farmers in the Malwa region are suffering from the government’s indifference. The longer the delay, the more impact it will have on cotton production.” — TNS

The Tribune

2021-04-30

Bathinda