Fri Dec 06 23:55:35 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Farmers Face Crop Failure Due to Irrigation Failure
**Erattupetta, December 4, 2024** – Around 250 acres of paddy fields in the Perur and Thellakam areas near Erattupetta face potential crop failure due to a prolonged irrigation crisis. Farmers report that a pump house near Palappuzha, which provides water to these fields under the Minor Irrigation Department, has been non-functional for months.
Despite repeated pleas and complaints to the Minor Irrigation office since November 16th, the issue remains unresolved. Farmers claim their calls go unanswered, and when they visit the office in person, responsible officials are absent. The motor, reportedly removed when the Meenachila River’s water level rose, remains unrepaired. While officials initially cited motor malfunction, no steps have been taken to fix it. A smaller motor has been temporarily deployed, but this is insufficient to adequately irrigate even the nearby fields.
Farmers, who received seeds and other farming supplies from the Krishibhavan (agricultural office), are unable to utilize them due to the lack of water for land preparation. The situation is dire, as paddy cultivation usually commences in this region by this time of year.
Moncy Perumali, secretary of the paddy fields committee, warns that unless irrigation is restored within the next ten days, farmers will be forced to abandon their crops. He criticized the Minor Irrigation Department for failing to even prepare an estimate for repairing the pump, despite intervention from the Minister’s office and the Agriculture office. The lack of functioning motors in the entire Erattupetta area exacerbates the problem.
First Piper 