Kampli
In an inspiring display of solidarity, farmers in the upper-level canal on the right bank of the Tungabhadra River have come together to support their fellow farmers facing water scarcity due to the suspension of water supply. The canal, which stopped receiving water on November 27 due to low levels in the Tungabhadra reservoir, has left farmers with standing monsoon paddy at risk. Recognizing the urgent need for water to save the maturing paddy crop, some farmers with tube wells in neighboring fields have selflessly stepped forward to provide water. This humanitarian effort aims to ensure that farmers can harvest their paddy crops successfully and take advantage of the favorable market prices. The affected canal area spans about 5,000 hectares, where farmers have cultivated Sona and RNR varieties of paddy, incurring costs of ₹40,000 to ₹45,000 per acre. With 30 to 35 percent of the paddy crop reaching the graining stage, the demand for water is critical. Farmers along the canal, such as Ooluru Rajappa, Radderu Eranna, Gireddi Chandrappa, Mylapur Tipperudra, Shaliganoor Sharanappa Yariswamy, Mylapur Jadeppa, Kumbaru Ramanna, and others with nearby tube wells, have generously offered free water to hundreds of acres of rice crops. This act of kindness has extended to neighboring villages, where farmers are also providing water to their counterparts facing water shortages. One affected farmer, H. Jagadish, expressed gratitude for the support, stating that the free water provided by farmers like Mylapore Jadeppa has been a lifeline for them. Basavanagowda (Rajappa) of Uluru, Mylapur Tipperudra, who owns a tube well, joyfully pledged to provide water to all farmers experiencing water shortages near their paddy fields until the crop is harvested. This collective effort among farmers reflects a spirit of community and shared responsibility, highlighting the resilience and unity within the agricultural community in facing challenges.
