Students told to educate farmers on water conservation in Nizamabad

Nizamabad: District Collector M Ram Mohan Rao has advised students to create awareness among the farmers regarding proper water usage.

The Collector had a meeting with engineering and polytechnic students during the Jalashakti Abhiyan programme at the DRDA office.

Senior IAS Officer and Jala Sakthi Abhiyan Black nodal officer Puru Gupta and technical officer Ravi Majetti also addressed the students about water conservation.

The Collector said there are 450 districts in the country that have water shortage problem. Nizamabad district is also among them. He asked to take measures to save rainwater to increase groundwater. The Collector told students that 38 villages in the district's Armoor,Velpur, Nizamabad, Mortad and Mupkal mandals have been found to be using excess water for agriculture needs.

He asked the engineering and polytechnic students to conduct research in these villages and to study on the farming practices. The Collector said the students should know the cultivation requirements of the farmers and how to use them more effectively.

He also urged them to look into soakpit and farm ponds etc in villages and added that students should also discuss the benefits to the public. He told them to be aware of the problems caused by excessive use of water in agriculture sector, lack of access to rainwater and not saving water. Success stories need to know about the increased groundwater caused by the removal of silt in villages, tanks and ponds.

Speaking at the event, Puru Gupta said, "National Water Awards - 2019" will be presented in 16 categories as part of the Jala Sakthi Abhiyan programme. Students should advise farmers the risks of excess water use for crops, said Puri Gupta.