4-hour power supply irks farmers in Amritsar district

Despite state government’s announcement of Rs 19,000 per hectare financial assistance for adoption of horticulture, farmers are sceptical about the success of such measures to enable them switch over from traditional crops (wheat and paddy) to cultivate fruits, vegetables, nuts and ornamental plants. Farmers say the power supply schedule and canal water release are still a priority for the paddy cultivation, leaving horticulturists and vegetable growers struggling to meet their crop needs.

“It’s ironic that the government provides assured eight-hour power supply during the paddy season, while our orchards require maximum irrigation during April and May when the trees are bearing flowers,” said Joginder Singh, a local horticulturist. He emphasised that the government’s policy on canal water and electricity supply for tubewells should consider needs of farmers growing crops other than wheat and paddy.

Vegetable cultivators are also facing challenges, having to rely on costly diesel generators to run their tubewells due to reduced power supply hours. At present, the power supply schedule for tubewells has been reduced to four hours, from 4 am to 8 am, to prevent fires during wheat harvesting. Farmers complained that four-hour power supply was not even sufficient to irrigate an acre of land. Farmers said even during the supply time, there were repeated power outages which made their work even more difficult.

“We need the power corporation to consider our needs as well. We’re not just paddy farmers,” said Jagtar Singh, a farmer. Lakhbir Singh Nizampura of the Vegetable Growers Association said, “Financial incentives are welcome, but marketing facilities are vital for farmers so that they can benefit from horticulture.”

“The huge price difference between what farmers sell their vegetables for and what consumers pay indicates a need for a more streamlined market system,” Nizampura said. “We can cultivate orchards without this small incentive if we have proper marketing facilities,” he emphasised.

Amritsar