Thanjavur: Undeterred by the many constraints being faced by them, a group of farmers in Budalur and surrounding areas are attempting to irrigate and save their water-starved crops by pumping out the stagnated water from Vennar.

The farmers, forming into different groups, draw the stagnated water from Vennar river and other waterbodies to irrigate their fields by laying a 3-km pipeline (hose) which cost several lakh rupees.

Let down by the monsoon and the defiant Karnataka government, samba and thaladi crops raised by the farmers in the delta region are at the mercy of Varuna Bhagavan. Their fields have now developed cracks and the crops have started to wilt. Over 50 farmers have so far died either due to cardiac arrest or by committing suicide unable to bear the grief.

Meanwhile, the farmers in Budalur and surrounding areas are making a last-ditch effort to save the standing crops by drawing the stagnated water from Vennar river at a cost of several lakh rupees, says S Muruganandam (41), farmer, of Budalur.

Muruganandam, who owns 15 acres of land, along with two other farmers Suresh and Kaliyamurthy have spent Rs 2.75 lakh for pipeline and oil motor required to draw water from Vennar.

“We raised the money by pledging our jewels. Besides, we have an expense of Rs 6,000 daily towards diesel and labour charges,” he said.

According to a G Anand (42), farmer, of Kovilpathu village, the 90-day-old paddy crops need water for 30 more days. “I have cultivated ‘Andhra Ponni’ in 15 acres. It costs Rs 6,000 per day to irrigate an acre. At least 40 litres of diesel is required per day,” he says.

“By spending several lakh rupees, we know pretty well that we will incur a heavy loss. But, we are spending so much as we need hay for our starving cattle,” says Anand ruefully.