Farmers in Karaikal district have urged the administration to undertake comprehensive desilting of rivers and irrigation canals using machinery ahead of the expected release of Cauvery water for the ‘kuruvai’ season.

In a statement issued on Friday, T.N. Suresh, president of the Kadaimadai Farmers’ Association, said that agriculture was carried out on about 5,000 hectares in the district. With water likely to be released from the Mettur dam around June 12 for ‘kuruvai’ cultivation, preparatory works must be taken up in advance, he said.

He called upon the Public Works Department to carry out thorough desilting of rivers, irrigation channels and drainage canals using machines. Repairs to check dams, sluices and related infrastructure should also be completed without delay, he added.

Mr. Suresh further urged the authorities to convene meetings with farmers on a constituency-wise basis to understand their grievances and requirements before initiating the works.

Stating that canals which cannot be effectively desilted under the 100-day rural employment scheme should not be included under it, he said this would enable the Public Works Department to carry out the works efficiently using machinery.

He also suggested that meetings involving block development officials, engineers and farmers be held in each revenue village to identify canals suitable for works under the employment scheme.

After completing these processes, the district administration should organise a grievance redress meeting with farmers, he said.

The association also called for steps to control wild boars damaging agricultural fields and sought concessions to enable farmers’ children to pursue education in agricultural colleges.