Scanty rainfall is now causing distress among farmers in Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh as they now fear a drought-like situation.
Even though there are about 40 to 45 per cent farmers as well in the district having the facility of bore-well on their fields and undertaking agriculture related activities on their land, they also fear the drought-like situation.
As per official records, the region has recorded around 560.10 mm rainfall till August 31 this year which is slightly low compared to the previous year’s rainfall of 757.20 mm. The acreage of Kharif crop in the region is around 18801 and about 40 per cent of land is being irrigated through water from river, drains, reservoir, ponds and well. Due to scanty rainfall, irrigation capacity of available resources sharply declined in the region resulting in adverse impact to the farming work.
Sikasar dam which acts as major source of water for around 167 villages in Gariaband region is filled upto 62 percent and water levels would decline shortly in the dam.
“In a view of droughtlike situation in the region, several works have been sanctioned under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).
Under this scheme, works will be allocated to the villages as per their demand letter and efforts are on to ensure timely commencement of works which prominently include construction of a check-dam for management of water,” said Chief Executive Officer of Garianabd Janpad Panchayat S K Banerjee.