The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has sought directives to the Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) for Cauvery and other rivers to convene a meeting and take a decision on release of water for paddy cultivation.
Addressing a press conference in the city on Tuesday, Badagalpura Nagendra said that paddy cultivation should commence in July or August but it hinges on assured water release though canals during growth and maturity period of the crops. He said the farmers cannot take up cultivation without such an assurance and hence the ICC meeting should be convened within a day or two and guarantee water supply, which will encourage farmers to take up paddy cultivation.
Mr. Nagendra said paddy cultivation follows a specific natural cycle and sowing process should ideally commence during July/August. If the sowing and cultivation process begins in September, not only will the crop wilt but yield will decline due to the atmospheric conditions. Hence for farmers to take up sowing in July or August, the ICC should commit within the next couple of days that water supply would be ensured during the crop growth and maturity period, he added.
