PONDA: Around 80 farmers from Khandola, Priol have gone from being elated over their vast crops being ready for harvesting, to being scared, as several breaches in the bhandara could mean their fields could be destroyed with the imminent saltwater intrusion.
They have called on the government to act immediately and repair the bhandara before water from the riverside enters their crops and damages their crops, thereby taking away all the months of hard work they had put in.
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They worry that loss of their standing crops will mean loss to their livelihood. Incidentally, the paddy crops that are spread over 5 lakh sq mtrs, would be harvested next month.
They also point out that the damage could be long lasting as parts of their fields, which are still fertile could get damaged post the saltwater intrusion, thereby preventing them from growing crops next season. Some parts of their fields have already been damaged due to the same issue.
They also pointed out that they will also be unable to recover the investment put in to cultivate the crops this season.
Dinesh Gaonkar along with the other farmers, recalled that the government had earlier assured to construct the bhandara at the riverside to protect their fields from flooding due to the existing breaches in the bhandaras.
“The government always appeals to the farmers to switch to agriculture but the cost of agriculture is not affordable to us. Earlier we used to cultivate two crops in a year and also grow vegetables such as chilies. We have complained to the agriculture dept about the infertility of land due to salt water intrusion. They inspected the land, took samples but never returned,” he added.
Another farmer Yogesh Gaude, spoke about the high cost of expenditure such as labour etc and that the crops have been damaged by wild boards and pollution.
He also said the govt doesn’t provide them much help at the time of harvesting and tilling and complained that even the machinery provided at subsidized rates are not sufficient.
