Two irrigation projects of the Water Resources Department in the Lyngkhoi area under Sohiong constituency have failed to serve local farmers.
The two check dams were meant to irrigate farmlands in Lawsynroi and Lyndet Khlaw but are damaged.
The Lawsynroi dam was built in 2010-11.
“Channeling water through this particular dam to our fields is impossible because it is damaged. Even the waterways used by farmers before this project’s construction are no more,” a farmer, Lowis Lyngdoh, said.
“Before the construction of this particular check dam, we used our physical strength to restore the waterways. But after the construction of the check dam we thought this will make our lives easier but it has become a misery and for the last few years our fields have dried up and we wait for the rains to plant rice and other produce,” he added.
Another farmer, S Nongsiej said, “This irrigation project is a curse instead of a blessing for the farmers in the area.”
Macsal Nongsiej, President of the Hill Farmer’s Union (HFU), Lyngkhoi circle, said that this fiasco has discouraged the farmers of the area.
“The irrigation project has benefited only the contractors. The Water Resources Department should either initiate a new project or repair the one already in place,” Nongsiej said, adding that he did not blame the contractors as they had built what was demanded of them.
