Shortage forces Ramnad farmers to buy water

Ramanathapuram district along with northern parts of Thoothukudi district and the eastern part of Virudhunagar district forms the driest belt in the southern region and here dry land farming is undertaken by growers. The dry land crops are not water-intense but require minimum dampness in the soil for better yield. Crops such as chillies, green gram, black gram, maize, corn and onions are sown mainly. Because of lack of proper rain for three consecutive years, the farmers are already facing severe shortage of water for irrigation. To save the crops from withering, the farmers have now started buying water in lorries. 

Speaking to DT Next, farmer Ramamoorthy of Mudhalur village near Ramanathapuram, who had sowed chillies in his land, said at present the ‘samba’ chillies have been sowed and they require minimum water, but even that is not available this year. So, they are forced to buy water in tractors and a full tank costs Rs 1,000, he said. Already, they have spent Rs 20,000 on an average for an acre and the water costs them extra. They are not keen on profit now, but at the same time want to save the crops and get back the invested amount, said Ramamoorthy.