Farmers pool money to build tank in drought-hit village

Raise ₹6 lakh on their own and complete the project in two months

The tank built by farmers in Sinna Kazhichuparai village at the foothills of Kolli Hills in Namakkal.

A group of farmers from the villages located at the foothills of Kolli in the district has set a worthy example for others to emulate by building a full-fledged tank on two acres at Sinna Kazhichupaarai village in two months by raising funds on its own.

Farming is the main occupation in Kaalanayakkanpatti, Belukurichi and other surrounding villages situated at the foothills of Kolli Hills. Crops such as tapioca, plantain, turmeric, arecanut are raised on hundreds of acres. River Sitraru and other jungle streams originating on the Kolli Hills and the farm wells are the main source of water for farm activities in these villages.

In case of monsoon failure, farm activities come to a standstill here. The fields pose a barren look during summer.

Sinking borewells always proved a costly affair and was useful only for individuals. To overcome the recurring drought conditions, the farmers decide to build a tank.

According to M. G. Rajendran of Malaiveppankuttai village near Belukurichi, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers’ Welfare Association, the land for this project was procured from a private person after paying money. Later the farmers through their own contribution raised ₹6 lakh for completing this project.

Mr. Rajendran drew the attention of the senior government officials to the commendable work done by the farmers at the farmers’ grievances redress meeting held recently. He suggested that either the Agriculture Department or the Agricultural Engineering Department could come to the further assistance of these farmers by constructing an outlet for this tank to avoid wastage of water.

He was of the view that the State Government could take a cue from this project and motivate the farmers across the State to try their hand in similar ventures.

A.Ganesan of Sinna Kazhichuparai said that a site near a jungle stream was identified for building the tank.

The work on this project commenced in August and was completed in September.

The 20-ft-deep tank has been designed to hold surplus water during monsoon. The presence of water would ensure increase in ground water table to a big extent, Mr. Ganesan said.