The rain gods have answered their prayers, but the farmers may still be unable to reap the blessings all because of the state’s lackadaisical attitude in preparedness when it comes to copious rainfall. When Cauvery water from Mettur dam is released on July 19, a significant amount may still go unutilized since the desilting of irrigation channels is yet to be taken up in most places.Taking for granted that Mettur will continue the record of missing its date of water release on June 12, the cleaning of irrigation channels began as late as July, after Karnataka started receiving good rainfall. "The desilting work commenced on July 1 and is expected to finish only by August 15. Less than 50% of cleaning of irrigation channels is complete," said state spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Sangam N Veerasekaran. He added that the water release was a welcome step and would be helpful to farmers in Lalgudi block of Trichy who raised kuruvai crop using borewells. Since the release from Mettur is likely to reach Trichy in five days, cleaning of channels could be completed on a war footing, said Veerasekaran.Not even 10% of the 36,241-km-long irrigation canals crisscrossing 11.35 lakh agricultural land in Trichy, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur have been cleaned, alleged Puliyur A Nagarajan of TMC farmers’ wing. He also said the government should instruct the PWD to begin work in January so that the funds allotted for this purpose can be fully utilized.The water that will be released would not reach many areas, said president of Cauvery Delta Farmers Association Cauvery S Dhanapalan. "Farmers who begin kuruvai cultivation in mid-August will be affected by the monsoon. Since pollination happens during the rainy season this is not going to benefit farmers," he said.Alternatives to store water need to be looked into, feels Mannargudi S Ranganathan, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association. "The decision to release water has been taken hurriedly. Since kuruvai harvest is on in many areas, water release now will affect it and also the ongoing desilting of irrigation canals," he said. Farmers, however, could make use of the opportunity by filling their tanks with Cauvery water so that the groundwater table is recharged. "Water should be stored in all barrages like Mayanur, Upper Anaicut, Kallanai, Lower Anaicut and wherever possible. The additional water flowing from Karnataka reservoirs can be stored in Mettur dam," said Ranganathan.Though some farmers have also cheered the decision, agricultural experts have suggested they wait till mid-August and take up samba cultivation instead. Retired assistant director of agriculture department P Kalaivanan said kuruvai cultivation using water from Mettur may not be a wise decision. "There is a chance that crops will be destroyed in rain or floods as it matures during November. Instead, farmers should utilise this water to prepare the land. They can plough the soil and sow green manure to keep it ready for the long haul samba paddy," Kalaivanan said.

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