Last year it was floods, this time govt failed us, say Lohian farmers

Farmers living in the low-lying areas of Lohian block in Shahkot subdivision lost their paddy crop sown on thousands of acres of land when floodwaters wreaked havoc last year. This meant great hardships for them, economically and physically.

The growers were hopeful that this year would heal them of the trauma of past year when they incurred huge losses. But though they were spared the floods this time, the government failed them, they rued. The farmers said that despite having bumper produce this year, there are less or no payments, no lifting and uncertainties. They are expecting losses this year as well.

The worst affected farmers were from Gatta Mundi Kasu, Mundi Kasu, Mundi Shehrian, Mundi Cholian and Chak Badala villages. Strangely, even wheat could not be sown on around 100 acres of land. These farmers could not even prepare their fields for wheat because of accumulation of sand and silt.

Balwinder Singh from Gatta Mundi Kasu is one of those farmers who couldn’t even sow wheat. “Last year, the floods ravaged the paddy crop on entire 16 acres of land. This time, I was relieved that there were no floods, but now the problem is different. Our produce is lying as it is in mandis and there is no payment yet,” he told The Tribune.

Another marginal farmer Daler Singh lost his paddy crop on six acres last year. This year, he decided not to grow paddy in his own village, but took a few acres on contract outside his village where floods could not bother him and his crop.

“I could save myself from the fear of floods, but who would save us from this? Until now, I have received a little payment, but not as per the MSP,” he alleged and added that he was still hopeful that things will be alright.

Sarabjeet Singh, another farmer, shared that Lohian cultivators were at the receiving end last year. Though the problem is all across Punjab, it feels like someone has poked them again.