Drought-like situation hits farmers of Assam

 Government taking the crisis seriously: Atul Bora

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Numerous farmers of Assam have landed from the frying pan into the fire as the recent fury of floods and oceans of water across the state have been succeeded by a drought-like situation in some districts.

Normally, the state receives 65 per cent of its annual rainfall during the June-to-August period. However, there is a 30 per cent deficit in rainfall during the June-August period this year. So far, Assam has received 1,076 mm of rainfall during this period. In comparison, the state had received 1,357 mm of rainfall during June-August in 2019, 1,715 mm of rainfall in 2020 and 1,173 mm in 2021.

Agriculture is primarily rain-fed in Assam. In view of the fact that the state experiences adverse and unpredictable weather conditions from time to time, irrigation facilities constitute an essential support system for the farmers. However, the Irrigation Department has not been unable to extent support to the requisite extent over the years. The department is able to provide water to only about 25 per cent of the state's total gross cropped area, which is 40.87 lakh hectares. As of now, the Irrigation Department covers only 10.06 lakh hectares.

Talking to The Sentinel on Saturday, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said that a drought-like situation is prevailing in five districts of the state as of now, affecting around 40,000 hectares of crop area. He said that the crisis is being viewed seriously and it was discussed at the government level two days ago. The Agriculture Department is in touch with the Revenue and Disaster Management Department regarding ways and means to help the distressed farmers, Bora added.

It is pertinent to mention that according to the agriculture census, the total number of farmers' families in the state is around 28 lakh. These farmers are either dependent of rainfall or on irrigation facilities. The irrigation facilities are provided by four departments – Irrigation Department, Agriculture Department, Panchayat & Rural Development Department and Soil Conservation Department. The major role, however, is played by the Irrigation Department. The Agriculture Department merely installs shallow tube wells.

According to official sources, the main problem is that most of the schemes under the Irrigation Department are either defunct or abandoned. The main cause for this is lack of funds for operation and maintenance of schemes. Moreover, there are several schemes under the Irrigation Department which have not been completed for as long as 10-15 years. On the other hand, many irrigation canals have had to be abandoned because these were constructed without proper feasibility study.

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