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Bheema LI Project breathes new life into Wanaparthy farmers
The long wait of the farmers of Wanaparthy district has finally come to an end with the Irrigation department releasing water from the Bheema Lift Irrigation project to the parched and arid lands.
Wanaparthy: The long wait of the farmers of Wanaparthy district has finally come to an end with the Irrigation department releasing water from the Bheema Lift Irrigation project to the parched and arid lands.
With the completion of the project, the ryots of Wanaparthy expressed joy as the water would irrigate their parched lands thereby bringing 2,000 acres of additional land under ayacut.
Recently, the Irrigation officials released water from the project to Peddagudem, Kadukuntla, Metemlally, Nachahally and Savigudem villages of the district. According to Irrigation officials, water released from the project initially filled the tanks and lakes under these villages through Bheema canal and Shankara Samudram and Krishna Samudram reservoirs of Kothakota mandal in the district.
With the release of water, the groundwater table in these villages has increased considerably thereby making water available for tube wells and open wells. Earlier, all these villages were water-starved and termed as rain deficit villages in the official records. The situation was so pathetic that the villagers were forced to leave farming and move out of the villages in search of livelihood.
However, with the release of water from the project, the situation has completely changed and many farmers in these areas are once again taking to cultivation. “We are very happy to see water flowing all over in our village. The lakes and ponds are full, and now we have decided to stay back and practice agriculture,” says a farmer, Ali, from Peddagudem village.
As the water levels raised, the farmers in the district are now cultivating paddy, groundnuts and even some of them opting for horticulture crops. Earlier, the farmers under these areas used to cultivate a maximum of 200 acres. However now, the area has been increased to 2,000 acres.
“We had always been migrating to other areas in search of work as our lands are dry and arid. During rainy season, I used to cultivate only eight acres. However, now, with the release of water from the Bheema project, I am sowing paddy in 20 acres this Rabi and expecting a very good yield as I need not worry about shortage of water,” said Ali.
According to village-wise statistics available, around 550 acres of land is being cultivated in Peddagudem village, 1,375 acres in Kadukuntla village, 200 acres in Nachahally and around 110 acres in Savalgudem village under the project.
Majority farmers in these areas are cultivating groundnuts, paddy and horticulture crops like mango, vegetables and others.
