In the summer months, farmers in Banaskantha district face severe challenges due to the empty Sujalam Sufalam canal. This canal, which flows through five talukas, has run dry, making it difficult for farmers to irrigate their crops and care for their livestock. The situation is critical as the summer heat continues to increase demand for water.
Farmers from the talukas of Kankrej, Diyodar, Tharad, Lakhani, and Deesa are particularly affected. The groundwater levels have dropped significantly, forcing many to drill deeper borewells. Currently, borewell depths have reached between 1000 to 1200 feet, but even then, the water supply is insufficient. Farmers are under tremendous financial strain as they struggle to keep their crops alive and their animals fed.
The farmers are urgently requesting that more water be released into the canal. They believe that if water flows continuously, it could save their crops and livestock from drying out. On May 15, the government ordered the release of water into the canal, but political pressures led to a delay. Only on May 22 was water released from the Changa pumping station, and even then, it was only from one pump. This limited supply has not yet reached the canal.
As a result, local ponds are also drying up. This has led to a critical shortage of fodder for livestock, making it challenging for farmers to manage their animals. Farmers are asking for four pumping stations to operate simultaneously to fill their ponds.
Political interference has also been reported at the Changa pumping station. Some local leaders are accused of obstructing operations, creating further delays in water distribution. Farmers’ leader Amarabhai Chaudhary has voiced concerns that this interference is not only illegal but could also lead to serious accidents due to mismanagement of electrical equipment.
The farmers are calling for the Chief Minister to ensure that no political leader is allowed to interfere with the pumping station operations. They want water delivered to their fields without delay and managed by officially designated operators only.
As the heat intensifies, the urgency for water grows. The farmers of Banaskantha are fighting not just for their crops but for their livelihoods. The local government needs to respond quickly to this crisis to prevent further damage to agriculture in the region. Without immediate action, the future of farming in Banaskantha remains uncertain, and many families may face hardship as a result of the ongoing water shortage.
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