IMPHAL, June 24: The North East Dialogue Forum conducted a survey of paddy fields in three districts today and talked to farmers about water scarcity.
The NEDF team accompanied by media persons visited Sagang in Churachandpur district, Langmeidong in Thoubal district and Litan in Chandel district.
Farmers claimed drought like situation and shared their grievances with the team.
At Sagang Village, M Abum a farmer said the farmers are all set to sow paddy in their fields, however, due to the scarcity of rain, the fields are all parched.
He said agriculture is their only source of income and if it fails the people will suffer.
Farmers have been facing scarcity of water due to little rain for the past five-six years, he continued.
Any delay in the sowing process will only lead to decrease in yield, he continued.
The villages where the NEDF team visited today lacks water pumping facilities as there is no River Lift Irrigation schemes in the area, according to locals. Locals at the three villages also complained that they have to buy potable water at Rs 30 per 100 litre from private water tankers.
The NEDF team held meeting at the residence of Sagang Bazar board secretary M Asong in Sagang Village and at the Common Vision Coaching Centre in Langmeidon Village.
At Langmeidon, Thounaojam Angoubi Singh a farmer said the canal from the Sekmai River Barrage is constructed at a much higher level from the ground hindering proper flow of water from the river to the fields.
Distribution of water pumps and seeds to farmers are only heard of, but never seen in reality, complained Yumnam Lashmon, a farmer from Hiyanglam Maning Mayai Leikai.
He continued the local representatives like the pradhans, members, MLAs neglect the grievances of the people especially the farmers.
A farmer from Litan, Nelson said neither local leaders nor the concern authorities have visited them and considered their grievances.
He said last year the paddy yield in Litan area was next to nil due to water scarcity.
However, farmers were also hopeful of receiving help from the government though a little late.
A farmer at Sagang suggested lifting water from the Imphal River at Wangoo and feeding the Sangang Canal which is only 2 kms far which could help the farmers.
Another at Langmeidon the farmers also suggested that feeding the Sekmai Barrage with water from the Sekmai River and providing diesel to the farmers to use pumps could help them.
Farmers in all three villages lamented that the government has failed to look into the grievances of the farmers and provide any long term planning to fight the water scarcity issue.