Mandya: With storage falling at the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir, the lifeline of Mandya district, the irrigation department has stopped release of water for irrigation to conserve it for drinking purpose in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mandya. But in the process sugarcane on thousands of hectares here is withering for want of water.
Sugarcane is grown on 45,000 to 50,000 hectares in the district. But this time the area under cultivation has dropped by nearly 10,000 hectares as farmers were warned about scarcity of water.
Mr Kurubur Shanthkumar, chief of Karnataka Sugarcane Growers' Association, says sugarcane cultivation has dropped by nearly 50 per cent because of erratic power supply, poor price for cane and sugar factories holding up the farmers' payment."
The price which is around Rs 35 per kg, may touch Rs 50 a kg following a possible fall in yield," he warns. Mr Shanthkumar is afraid sugarcane in the fields could wither if it doesnt rain in the next couple of weeks.
“Only God can bring a smile to the face of Mandya farmers," he adds. His words ring true for Narasegowda, who risked going in for sugarcane despite the anticipated water scarcity.
He is heavily counting on the rain to save his crop as he needs the money to get his daughter married in the next three months. A revenue officer says the district has come under such a distress after many years.
"In the past, when the dam had enough water we saved crops till the third week of April. But this year, the yield could be hit if there are no April showers," he warns.
