Rs 40k on repairs, no water guarantee: Borewell crisis hits T farms | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Erratic weather and a deepening groundwater crisis are compounding the impact of El Niño on Telangana’s farmers, who are now grappling with soaring irrigation costs as borewell motors run longer, break down more frequently and require repeated repairs during a crucial cultivation season.Excessive dependence on borewells, coupled with low voltage and recurring motor failures, is pushing up cultivation costs and disrupting irrigation across several districts. Farmers say they are spending thousands of rupees on repairs, with some shelling out as much as Rs 40,000 just to keep their irrigation systems operational.P Narender Reddy, director of Pomal Rythu Producer Company in Nawabpet mandal of Mahbubnagar district, said excessive use of borewell motors this season had contributed to low voltage, forcing farmers to spend more on repairs.“Most farmers have incurred at least Rs 10,000 per acre this time,” he said.He said Telangana earlier had motors designed to operate under low-voltage conditions. However, these motors were no longer being manufactured after the formation of the state, as improved irrigation facilities and rainfall had reduced their demand, he added.Chintapally Suresh Kumar Reddy of Yacharam mandal in Ranga Reddy district said he had spent Rs 40,000 on motor repairs for his three acres under vegetable and paddy cultivation. “This will increase our cost of production and we are also losing out on productivity,” he said.Farmer groups say the problem extends beyond repair costs. Frequent motor failures interrupt irrigation schedules and delay important farm operations, especially during periods of water stress.Kondal Reddy of Rythu Swarajya Vedika said motor problems during both drought and rainy seasons were causing considerable inconvenience to farmers. They had to wait for motors to be removed, repaired and reinstalled, often losing valuable time during critical agricultural operations.“Farmers also say that by the time their repairs are completed and they get their motors back, they lose auspicious time,” he said.He added that many cultivators believe the govt’s push for solar-powered irrigation systems could provide relief from recurring motor-related problems.The difficulties come amid growing concerns over declining groundwater levels in Telangana. Average groundwater depth stood at 9.46 metres below ground level in June and was projected to decline to 11.01 metres by Aug under a scenario of 30% rainfall deficiency.A University of Hyderabad study conducted in Mandra village of Narketpalli mandal in Nalgonda district found that motor failures and repairs occurred, on average, twice a month, with farmers spending around Rs 5,000 on each repair. More than 89% of farmers surveyed sought subsidies or institutional support for motor maintenance.With borewell yields becoming increasingly uncertain, farmers face a double challenge: mounting expenditure on motor repairs and diminishing assurance of water availability. Even after spending thousands of rupees, many say there is no guarantee that their borewells will provide sufficient water for irrigation.Solar-powered pumps may reduce dependence on conventional electricity supply, but their effectiveness will ultimately depend on the availability of groundwater, said farmer Thota Yadagiri.
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