#Tapan Roy

The recent Monsoon season’s inadequate rainfall has become a cause of serious concern for Aman Paddy growers in Tripura, particularly in the South District, where the Aman-cultivated areas have drastically reduced from over 3900 hectares to approximately 660 hectares.

 

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the local administration has devised plans to improve irrigation methods by implementing water diversification projects and renovating existing water sources.

 

Notably, after a disappointing Ayush season, the State Government set a target of increasing Aman yield to compensate for the losses incurred.

 

State Agriculture Minister Ratan lal Nath recently informed the media about the Government’s objective to achieve an additional Aman production of 500 kg per hectare, aiming to offset the Ayush losses and create a surplus. Normally, the State produces 3200 kg of Aman per hectare, but this year’s goal is to achieve an extra 500 kg per hectare.

 

However, the rainfall has remained significantly insufficient so far, resulting in a sharp decline in Aman cultivation, particularly in the Satchand block in Sabroom under the South district.

 

The scarcity of rainfall has also had a domino effect on vegetable prices putting burdens on the common people financially.

 

According to official sources, this year’s Monsoon season has witnessed a around 60 percent deficit in rainfall compared to the previous year, receiving only 70 mm of rain as against of 174 mm in the same season last year.

 

The Agriculture Department in Satchand revealed that the significant drop in rainfall has severely impacted Aman farmers, who heavily rely on monsoon water for their cultivation activities in the region. Normally,

 

Aman paddy is cultivated over 3915 hectares of land each year, but due to water scarcity, the cultivation has been restricted to a mere 662 hectares this year.

 

In response to the emerging crisis, the Satchand block administration organized a crucial meeting. Chaired by Block Development Officer Anupam Das, the meeting brought together 39 Panchayat representatives, Satchand Agriculture Supervisors, and officials from various line departments to discuss ways to deal with the scanty rainfall situation.

 

During the meeting, officials made important decisions to address the problem promptly. One of the primary initiatives involves renovating the channels of the Bhuratali Kalibazar Water Diversion Plant to restore water supply to the affected areas. Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance irrigation by renovating various water sources.

 

Furthermore, officials also discussed the possibility of expanding agricultural land coverage through the Phulchhari and Chalachhari Water Diversion Plant.

 

Even as the farmers appreciated the efforts of the State Government officials, the farmers are looking up at the sky and praying for adequate rainfall.

 

“Nothing can help us, only sufficient rainfall without any further delay can save the day”, opined a veteran farmer.  

 

#Tapan Roy can be reached at roytapan881@gmail.com