Farmer in Yadgir alleges irregular power supply from GESCOM led to the loss of his papaya crop cultivated on 2.5 acres after more than a year of investment
A farmer in Shahapur, Yadgir district, cut down his 2.5-acre papaya plantation after alleging that an irregular power supply prevented him from irrigating the crop despite having a borewell. The incident has triggered demands for compensation and improved electricity supply for farmers.
Yadgir: A farmer in Karnataka's Yadgir district allegedly destroyed his fully grown papaya plantation after claiming that an irregular electricity supply prevented him from irrigating the crop despite having a borewell on his farmland. The incident occurred in Shahapur town, where the farmer said his crop dried up just days before harvest.
The farmer, identified as Amaresh, cut down the papaya plants spread across 2.5 acres using an axe and sticks after watching the crop wither due to a lack of water. The incident has drawn attention to concerns over electricity supply for agricultural irrigation in the region.
The farmer alleged that an irregular power supply left him unable to irrigate the crop despite having a functional borewell.
Papaya Crop Destroyed Before Harvest in Yadgir
According to the farmer, he had cultivated the papaya crop for more than a year after investing lakhs of rupees through borrowed funds. He said the plantation had survived the summer season and was only about 15 days away from harvest, with expectations of a good return.
However, he alleged that the lack of timely electricity supply prevented the borewell pump from operating, resulting in insufficient irrigation. As water supply stopped, the fruits reportedly dried up and began to spoil.
Farmer Alleges GESCOM Failed to Respond
Amaresh claimed that he repeatedly approached officials of the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company (GESCOM), requesting uninterrupted electricity for irrigation. According to him, the requests did not result in any improvement in power supply.
"Even though we had a borewell, we could not irrigate the crop without electricity. Despite repeatedly requesting the authorities, there was no response. I could not bear watching the crop dry up before my eyes," the farmer said.
Residents Seek Compensation for Crop Loss
Following the incident, local residents urged the Karnataka government and the Horticulture Department to assess the crop loss and provide appropriate compensation to the affected farmer.
The incident has also renewed concerns over electricity supply to agricultural pump sets, with farmers calling for uninterrupted power to protect standing crops during the cultivation season.
