MADURAI
The storage level in Vaigai dam is encouraging. Against its maximum level of 71 feet, the storage was recorded at 53.18 feet on Tuesday. However, it has not brought cheers among a majority of farmers in the district.
Officials in the Department of Agriculture and PWD said widespread rain in catchment areas had contributed to the steady rise in water level in the dams in the last fortnight.
Storage in Vaigai dam stood at a higher level now against the corresponding date in the previous year when it was just 23.36 ft. When The Hindu spoke to farmers, they claimed that just because water level was high in the reservoirs, it need not necessarily be looked as an advantage to them.
Farmers relying on water from Mullaperiyar dam for irrigation said the annual rainfall would in no way help the ryots but only the officials who might claim to have achieved their targets. The northeast monsoon, which is expected to set in soon, may not be of much use to the farmers in this belt.
“The district administration’s delayed release of water is not going to help any farmer,” said Arulprakasam, a progressive farmer.
Retired Joint Director (Agriculture) Jayasingh Gnanadurai, who is now actively engaged in agriculture, said farmers would benefit if water release was staggered. For instance, water should be released for 40,000 acres in Vadipatti belt alone. This would ensure not only wider crop coverage, but also higher yield.
However, due to lack of consensus among the ryots, this might not become a reality. Thus, when officials released water for all at the same time, the yield or target might not be achievable.
A majority of ryots in Tirumangalam, Kalligudi and other belts were not agreeable to the idea of releasing water in instalments. Kudimaramathu project had helped to an extent in desilting tanks which now had water in drought-prone areas.
While the rise in water level in Vaigai dam seemed to have not brought in cheers for farmers’ officials in the Corporation of Madurai are in an upbeat mood as it would solve the drinking water crisis. One man’s profit is another man’s loss.
