Ukhrul, June 29 2009: The western part of Ukhrul district is reeling under draught-like situation giving hardest times to the farmers who formed the majority of the village population.

West Ukhrul comprising of around 9 to 12 villagers of Kachai Phungthar, Kachai Hokhorin, Tora, Michon, Leisan, Aphung, Zingshong, Theiva villages and parts of Senapati district etc is hit hard by the lack of monsoon rainfall this year.

Talking to The Sangai Express, during the Ukhrul district journalist tour of this areas, the headman of Kachai Phungthar, K Sakathan said that the yearly cultivation of paddy field solely depends on June to mid-July monsoon rainfall which had been adhered to since the inception of the cultivation by their forefathers many decades ago.

However, this year's draught like situation has made the villagers worried as their livelihood is dependant on monsoon rainfall.

The main occupation of the villagers is cultivation, and only 15 percent of the population of these areas is employed in Government services.

The western villages are considered to be one of the major food grain supplier of Ukhrul district where over 50 to 60 thousands of tins are usually harvested annually.

Ramrei Khongnai Naotomi Long (RKNL) (a women body of these areas and and parts of Senapati district) president Athing K stated that failure of the monsoon rainfall has not only smitten the cultivators but also the farming of kharif crops like, soya beans, maize, chilly, beans, and potatoes etc, which entirely depends their growth on natural rain water and the failure of rainfall could hit economic recovery besides, the food prices and essential commodities will certainly go up further which has already sky rocketed.

The farmers further maintained that due to deficit in rainfall this year the villagers will face hard times in coming days if the State Government sits silently and fails to take up appropriate steps within July.

When queried what would they like from the Government side in order to prevent from such situation, the villagers answered that their immediate need is water pump as the season for paddy cultivation is running out of time.

Moreover, they informed the reporters that the State Government deprived them from making irrigation in more than one occasion despite continued appraisals.

As the Iril river flows near these paddy fields, it would be easy to pump water to the paddy fields, the villagers said.

However, they added, the State Government fails to take any step in this regard.

"But we are still hopeful that one day the Govt would notice our grievances, and the authority will hear the cry of the poor villagers", the farmers expressed hope.

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