The Shirsai Irrigation Scheme has begun its rabi water rotation in drought-hit parts of Baramati taluka, with 160 million cubic feet (Mcft) scheduled to be released over 15 days to 12 villages. The water is expected to support fodder and sugarcane cultivation and help recharge wells and borewells in the scheme’s command area.
The rotation began on Thursday with five pumps operating at the scheme. A sixth pump was scheduled to be started in the evening, deputy engineer Kiran Tupe said. He appealed to farmers to use the available water carefully.
The release comes after rainfall remained very low in Baramati’s rainfed belt this year. According to the report, the poor monsoon resulted in the failure of the kharif season and prevented rabi sowing in several areas. Farmers have also had to depend on well water for livestock fodder and sugarcane cultivation.
The decline in water levels in wells and borewells had created concerns not only for agriculture but also for drinking water. Farmers in the command area had been seeking the start of the Shirsai scheme’s rotation because of the worsening conditions.
The demand was also raised through a rotating hunger strike held recently by farmers at Undawadi Supe. A delegation met Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who gave a positive assurance that efforts would be made to address the issue. The water rotation began after that intervention, providing relief to the affected villages.
The 160 Mcft release will be carried through canals over the next 15 days. The water is expected to collect in percolation tanks, earthen drains and cement check dams in the command area. This could help increase groundwater levels and improve the availability of water in wells and borewells, although the report presents this as an expectation rather than a measured outcome.
Farmers in Undawadi Supe, Karkhel, Sonawadi Supe, Jalgaon Supe, Anjangaon, Jaradwadi, Undawadi Kadepathar, Gojubavi, Barhanpur, Sablewadi, Gadikhel and Shirsufal are expected to benefit from the rotation. The release is intended to provide support for fodder and sugarcane during the current dry conditions.
The immediate implementation task is to complete the planned 160 Mcft release through the canal network while ensuring economical use of the water, as advised by the irrigation authorities.
