Modernization Crisis: Chitrakoot Farmers Face Water Woes Amidst Crucial Wheat Irrigation

• Chitrakoot farmers face increased difficulties due to temporary closure of major pump canals during the crucial Rabi wheat irrigation period.
• Sonepur, Bankat, Paschim Patai, and Lamiyari pump canals are closed for modernization (CC lining and repair) from mid-January to mid-February.
• The closure affects thousands of bighas of agricultural land, threatening timely first irrigation for wheat crops, which is vital for yield.
• Farmers are burdened with increased costs, forced to rely on expensive private tube wells or diesel pumps, impacting their already tight budgets.
• The administration assures future smoother water supply post-modernization and aims to complete work swiftly to avoid affecting later irrigations.

Why It Matters: Modernization of canals in Chitrakoot during peak wheat irrigation creates a crisis for farmers, increasing costs and threatening yields.