As the competent officials were unavailable, agitated farmers pasted their memorandum demanding water for the rabi season on the chair at the irrigation department office in Parbhani
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: With kharif crops devastated by deficient rainfall and water sources drying up, farmers in drought-hit Parbhani have demanded immediate planning for rabi irrigation from Jayakwadi dam, which currently holds around 74% live storage. “Last year, when Jayakwadi was at 100% storage, nine rotations were released between Oct and June through both canals. Planning for the rabi season should have been completed by Oct 15, but nothing has been announced,” he said. “When a dam has only 15% to 20% water, reserving it for drinking purposes alone is understandable. But when live storage exceeds 70%, farmers cannot be denied irrigation water,” he said. The 208km Paithan Left Bank Canal irrigates more than 2 lakh hectares across Parbhani, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna districts, while Right Bank Canal covers nearly 60,000 hectares in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Beed.
Babar said Parbhani has the largest agricultural area under the Jayakwadi command and that farmers were becoming increasingly anxious as the dam remained their only hope during the drought. Farmers said they need three rotations for rabi crops such as jowar, wheat and gram, and two more during summer to protect fodder crops and meet irrigation needs. “We are asking for three rotations for rabi crops and two in summer, apart from drinking water for people and livestock,” said farmer Hanuman Gaikwad. Another farmer, Vaishist Wagh, said the demand was justified given the reservoir’s current storage. If there is no response, the irrigation department will face the wrath of farmers,” Babar said.
Farmers from across the district have submitted applications to the irrigation department seeking canal water for the upcoming rabi season, arguing that irrigation support is critical after widespread crop losses. This year, farmers are demanding only five rotations. Farmer groups have warned of road blockades across Parbhani if govt fails to announce a rabi water-release plan within seven days. “The economic and social distress is deepening after the kharif failure wiped out incomes. Canal-water applications must be processed and rotations declared immediately. The demand puts pressure on authorities as large parts of Marathwada grapple with drought conditions.
Vilas Babar, director of Agricultural Produce Market Committee and an NCP politician, said farmers were seeking five water rotations this year, compared to nine provided last year when the dam was full.
Responding to the demand, Rajendra Dhopadkar, superintendent engineer of Command Area Development Authority of Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation, said a Canal Advisory Committee meeting is expected on Nov 2. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.
The quantity of water and the schedule of rotations will be decided at the meeting,” he said. “Jayakwadi is most likely to release water for the rabi season. Download the TOI App.