LLI project failure hits hard farmers: Committee
Source: Chronicle News Service / LC Gopend
Bishnupur, June 16 2022:
Due to non-functioning of four canals of Loktak Lift Irrigation (LLI) project, irrigation in approximately 24,000 'Pari' of farm-land in six assembly constituencies of Bishnupur district and four ACs of Imphal West district has been affected, said Loktak Lift Irrigation Farmers' Development Committee chairman N Sanajaoba Singh.
Speaking to TPC, N Sanajaoba recounted that in the formative period of its commissioning in 1997 the LLI project benefited farmlands in Konthoujam, Lamsang, Patsoi and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa ACs under Imphal West district with abundant supply of irrigation water and even aided the farmers in carrying out double and triple cropping.
Similarly, farm lands in Nambol, Oinam, Bishnupur, Moirang, Thanga and Kumbi ACs under Bishnupur district also had effective irrigation system, he added.
However, negligence of the project by the state government for almost 30 years now has resulted in farmers of these areas becoming apprehensive of low yield of their crops this as they could make nurseries and sow seeds due to acute shortage of irrigation water, coupled with insufficient rainfalls, Sanajaoba said.
He also mentioned about the various pump houses and routes of canals under LLI project that used to irrigate approximately 24,000 'Pari' of agricultural lands when they were properly functioning.
Sanajaoba lamented that at the time of commissioning of the project the farmers had no shortfall of irrigation water with many farmers growing, vegetables after harvesting their paddy crops, thereby generating economic growth, but now the situation is different.
Hence, the present government must take action for full resumption of LLI project for the sake of farmers, he further demanded.