Drought-hit farmers to get NSS support

Students of Shivaji University at Kolhapur, who have volunteered for the National Service Scheme (NSS), have come forward to lend a helping hand for the drought-affected farmers of Sangli district.

As a part of the project, about 25,000 NSS volunteers from Shivaji University will collect fodder from  Kolhapur district which has got better rainfall and distribute it among the drought-affected farmers in Sangli district.

Vice-chancellor of Shivaji University, NJ Pawar said, “Each of the students will collect one bunch of fodder, such as grass, maize or sugarcane leaves at the campus of Shivaji University in Kolhapur.

Later, it will be distributed among the drought-affected farmers of Sangli district with help of NGOs and district administration. If this project is successful, its second phase will be undertaken and a total of 65,000 NSS volunteers will participate.”

He added, “Students will form committees at the village level and coordinate to involve Ganesh mandal workers in drought-relief works In the second phase of the project, Shivaji University plans to distribute fodder through the network of Ganesh mandals. If the two phases of project yield success, school students will also be involved in the work.”

The Vice-chancellor said that NSS volunteers will also de-silt the tanks and bunds, which have gone dry from September 24 with 500 students removing the silt from the tank at Atpadi.

District Collector Dipendra Singh Kushwah said the district administration had procured 16 excavators for water conservation works such as de-silting tanks, ponds and bunds in Sangli district. Kushwah said, “The work is expected to go on for 10 days and will be monitored by tehsildars, talathis and taluka agricultural officers.”

Seven talukas are affected by drought in Sangli district, including Miraj, Kavathe Mahankal, Jaith, Atpadi, Palus and Kadegoan.