Farmers in Kuruwabahi area of Golaghat district have raised serious concerns that arsenic-contaminated groundwater is damaging Rabi crop cultivation, threatening both livelihoods and long-term soil health.

What is the issue?

• Kuruwabahi has long been identified as an arsenic-affected zone, with health impacts such as skin diseases and cancer reported among residents.
  • Arsenic is a highly toxic pollutant and its chronic exposure may lead to black foot disease.
• A new dimension has emerged: arsenic-laden irrigation water is now harming agricultural fields, especially Rabi crops like vegetables and pulses.
• Due to insufficient rainfall, farmers are forced to depend on groundwater pumped from tube wells, which contains arsenic.

Impact on agriculture

• Farmers report hardening of soil into dusty clods, reducing soil fertility.
• Fertilisers have become ineffective, leading to poor crop growth and lower yields.
• The region, once known for high-quality Rabi produce attracting traders from outside Assam, now faces declining productivity.

Why arsenic is dangerous for farming

• Arsenic accumulates in soil, reducing microbial activity and nutrient availability.
• It can enter the food chain, posing long-term health risks to consumers.
• Continuous use leads to irreversible soil degradation, making land unfit for future cultivation.

Farmers’ demands and solutions suggested

• Shift irrigation from groundwater to natural surface water sources such as ponds, reservoirs and nearby rivers.
• Government-supported safe irrigation infrastructure instead of arsenic-prone tube wells.
• Intervention by the Agriculture and Water Resources Departments to protect a key farming belt.

Other Major Pollutant

• Apart from Arsenic, Fluoride, and Uranium are other well-documented widespread drinking water pollutants found in different parts of India due to natural geological conditions or extensive contamination. 

Policy relevance

• Links with National Water Quality Sub-Mission under Jal Jeevan Mission, which targets arsenic-affected areas.
• Highlights the need for climate-resilient and safe irrigation systems for food security.
• Reinforces the agriculture–health–environment nexus, important for sustainable rural development.

Why this matters

• Unchecked use of arsenic-contaminated water can turn a productive agrarian zone into a long-term ecological and economic liability. 
• Safe water access is not just a health issue, but a core agricultural necessity.

Exam Hook – Prelims

Q. Which of the following is a consequence of using arsenic-contaminated groundwater for irrigation?

A. Improved fertiliser efficiency
B. Soil hardening and loss of fertility
C. Increase in crop resilience
D. Reduction in heavy metal accumulation

Correct answer: B

One-line wrap:
In Kuruwabahi, arsenic pollution has moved from drinking water to farmland, turning a public health crisis into an agricultural emergency.

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