Wetlands Left Idle in Seema as farmers Not Keen on Raising Crops Due To Rise in Wages

Anantapur: Curiously, hundreds of irrigation tanks in Rayalaseema region are having full water storage even during the peak summer season, but the agriculture sector is facing worse conditions.

While the farm lands suffered till a decade ago due to lack of minimum water sources, caught as they were in severe drought conditions, hope was that the digging of irrigation tanks would be of help to them. But, a majority of the farmers have not been able to invest time and money in cultivation and are leaving the lands idle despite the presence of water in the tanks, a study has noted.

At least 200 big tanks under HNSS (Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi) and GNSS (Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi) projects were set in proper mode in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool areas in the past one decade. Each of these tanks helped recharge groundwater in its surrounding areas in ways as it would feed at least 5000 bore wells.

The higher labour charges in drought-prone areas like Rayalaseema, however, dissuaded many farmers from raising crops in the region. Their issues are many, as cited in the study. They were:

Limited job opportunities: Drought-prone regions often face economic challenges. The demand for labour in these areas may exceed the supply, leading to increased labour charges. When labour is scarce, workers have the bargaining power to demand higher wages.

Seasonal nature of work: In agricultural regions like Rayalaseema, the availability of work is often dependent on the seasons. During the dry spells and drought periods, agricultural activities may be significantly reduced or even grind to a halt. When the work opportunities are limited, workers may charge higher rates to compensate for the periods of unemployment or underemployment.

Migration patterns: Drought-prone areas often experience migration patterns. People move to more prosperous regions in search of better opportunities. This migration can result in a shortage of skilled and experienced labour in the drought-affected areas. To attract workers or compensate for the shortage, employers may need to offer higher wages.

Increased costs of living: Drought conditions can lead to increased costs of living. For instance, water scarcity may drive up the cost of essential commodities like food and drinking water. Additionally, droughts can impact agricultural productivity, leading to reduced food production and higher prices. When the cost of living rises, workers may demand higher wages to meet their basic needs.

Labour scarcity: Droughts can adversely affect livelihoods, particularly in agriculture-dependent areas. Farmers may face difficulties in sustaining their operations and may reduce their workforce. As a result, the available labour pool decreases, creating labour scarcity. When labour is in short supply, employers may need to pay higher wages to attract and retain workers.

Dependency on government schemes: In drought-prone regions, the government implements relief and employment schemes to support the affected communities. These schemes may provide temporary employment to help the people alleviate the impact of drought. However, if such schemes are inadequate or fail to provide sufficient income, workers may rely on alternative sources of income or demand higher wages to sustain themselves.

A banker from Madakasira told DC that a farmer owning 15 acres under a tank was struggling to get renewal of his ₹50,000 loan.

To address the issue of higher labour charges in the drought-prone areas, efforts can be made to improve overall economic conditions and create diverse job opportunities, opined Praja Science Vedika president, Suresh Babu.

This, he said, can include promoting non-agricultural industries, investing in skill development programmes and implementing sustainable agricultural practices that reduce vulnerability to drought. Additionally, ensuring adequate social welfare measures and support systems can help alleviate the economic challenges faced by the labor force in these areas, the study by the Vedika felt.