Pulwama farmers face delayed paddy planting due to lack of irrigation facilities

PULWAMA — The unavailability of proper irrigation facilities at Pahoo area of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district have delayed the paddy sapling plantation season in the area.

The residents of Rakh-e-Pahoo area told the local news agency KNO that their land was dependent on Bulbul Nag in Hakripora area for irrigation purposes but that spring was tapped for drinking water supply.

They said that since spring was tapped for the drinking water supply scheme, farmers of around five villages have been suffering for the want of irrigation facilities.

Jamshed Ahmad, a local resident, said that they usually used to complete paddy plantation by May 15 in the area but this year due to the unavailability of proper irrigation facilities, they have yet to plant paddy saplings.

He said that locals have put in water pumps on their own and other facilities in service to irrigate their land so as to plant paddy.

Shabir Ahmad, another local, said that farmers of around five villages have been suffering in absence of proper irrigation facilities as authorities have used springs for providing drinking water facilities.

He said that before tapping the spring for the drinking water supply scheme, authorities should have made arrangements for irrigation facilities on the land on which hundreds of families are dependent.

Locals said that they have informed authorities several times to look into the matter and make arrangements for irrigation facilities but nothing has been done so far. They said that most people in the area are dependent on agricultural land for livelihood and this issue must be taken seriously.

They urged the higher-ups ups, especially Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, to look into the matter personally and direct the concerned authorities to take immediate steps in this regard.