In wake of low water storage in Bhadra reservoir this year owing to scanty rain in catchment areas, the Bhadra Command Area Development Authority (CADA) has requested farmers not to take up the cultivation of paddy, a water-intensive crop and instead opt for the cultivation of less-water intensive crops such as ragi, pulses, oil seeds and millets.
The command area of Bhadra reservoir has 1.05 lakh hectares of land spread over Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Davangere and Haveri districts, of which paddy is cultivated in kharif season in an area of 70,000 hectares. B.M. Sundaresh, chairperson, Bhadra CADA, told press persons here on Wednesday that in the wake of low water storage in the reservoir, it is not possible to provide water for paddy, a water-intensive crop. The farmers should take up cultivation of maize, ragi, pulses, oil seeds that require less water, he said.
Water level
On July 12, the water level in the reservoir was at 125 feet against the maximum level of 186 feet. It was at 140 feet last year on the same day. The reservoir has 18.5 tmcft water at present against the total storage capacity of 70 tmcft. He said that of the 18.5 tmcft water stored at present, 13 tmcft water is dead storage and the remaining 5.5 tmcft should be reserved for drinking water needs of the people on the banks of the Tungabhadra. At present, there is no water to provide for agricultural needs in the command area, he said.
When the rainfall is normal in catchment areas, water will be released from the reservoir to the canals for kharif crops from the third week of July. As the water storage in the reservoir is low this year, there will be a delay in releasing water for kharif crops. Even if the monsoon becomes active in the coming days, the chances of the reservoir receiving water necessary for cultivation of paddy in the command area are slim, he said.
Awareness programmes
The Bhadra CADA will conduct awareness programmes in each taluk under its jurisdiction on the cultivation of less water-intensive crops, he added.
It may be mentioned here that, in 2016, 26 tmcft water was provided from Bhadra reservoir for kharif crops in the command area. However, owing to low water storage in the reservoir caused by deficient rains, the Bhadra CADA had not provided water for agricultural crops in the summer season of 2017. The water was provided only for plantation crops and for drinking needs during summer.
