Farmers to cultivate paddy on 9 acres land left fallow

Eleven farmers, who had left their paddy fields fallow on Survey Number 169/4 at Sajipa Munnur village of Bantwal taluk fearing submergence of the fields, have decided to take up Rabi sowing (Kolake Saaguvali in local language) this year.

The farmers on the downstream had stopped cultivating paddy when the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) decided to construct second vented dam at Thumbe across river Nethravathi keeping in mind the growing population of the city.

However, the farmers feel that there is no clarity from the Mangalore City Corporation on storing water in the new vented dam now.

The farmers, in association with Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Hasiru Sene and progressive farmer Rajesh Nayak, have chalked out ‘Tulunada Krishi Kranthi’ programme to cultivate paddy on the fields which were left fallow.

Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene district unit organising secretary Manohar Shetty told Deccan Herald, “Fearing that the paddy field will be submerged in water, the farmers on the banks of river Nethravathi had stopped cultivation 13 years ago.

However, Mayor Harinath and Zilla Panchayat President Chandraprakash Shetty recently stated that the water-level in Thumbe vented dam will not be stored beyond five metre height. Hence, the farmers decided to cultivate on the field.” 

He charged that officials have not completed survey on the extent of area which will be submerged due to water storage new vented dam.

“The farmers will not object to water supply to the city. We are aware of the water crisis faced by the people in April-May. But the authorities should pay compensation to the land which will be submerged after conducting a survey before storing water in the new dam.

‘No clarity’

“There is no clarity on storage of water in the new dam. Some officials said the water will be stored for seven metres while others stated it will be stored up to five metres only. Fearing submerge of fields, the farmers had stopped cultivating on fertile land. Without identifying the area of land to be submerged, the authorities have kept farmers in dark,” he complained.

He said, “If we start planting seedlings or sow seeds in October, the crop will be ready by January.”

Shetty said farmers have sought clarity in this regard now. The boundary should be identified. Before surveying the land, notices should be issued to the farmers and compensation should be paid, he added.

Mayor Harinath said the officials have completed the survey.

In the first phase, water will be stored up to five metres height.

About 53 acres of land would be submerged. For storing water up to six metres height in the dam, 140 acres of land would be submerged. A meeting would be convened under the leadership of District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai and the farmers to discuss the issue shortly, he added.