Irregular water flows and scarcity of water has made a mockery of minor irrigation in Kalahandi district. Due to the failure of minor and lift irrigation, the transplantation is done only in 12 per cent of the total cultivable land and the rest of the land is left to the mercy of monsoon. Nearly three blocks under the M Rampur minor irrigation sub-division in the district are in the grip of a drought.
There are nine projects under M Rampur minor irrigation sub-division such as Chitalpata, Budhi Dalabahali, lamer, Subarnarekha, Talijog, MartulJor, Gadiajor, Katakinal and Mangalajor under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund(RIDF) and Excellent Irrigation Benefit Program(EIBP). These projects were funded by the World Bank in the 2004-05 financial year.
According to departmental executive engineer Kumud Chandra Pradhan, no water is available in the reserves due to less rainfall. “Efforts have been taken to regenerate water including old and new projects in the area. As per the Government orders the regeneration work is yet to be completed. If the work is not completed then we will try our level best to repair water reservoir to use for the farmers in time,” he added.
Even if the Government of India has launched the National Watershed development Project for Rainfed area (NWDPRA) to conserve rain water through watersheds and optimize soil and water resources since 1990, it is yet not beneficial for the districts like Kalahandi. It faces a drought situation every year due to inadequate rainfall. But if the watersheds can be made in a cost effective mode to conduct rainfed farming, the drought problem can be solved, feel many.