The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Samba paddy cultivation in full swing in Pudukottai

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Tamil Nadu

Samba paddy cultivation in full swing in Pudukottai

Tiruchi Bureau

Nearly two-third of irrigation tanks have got good rainfall

File Photo

HAPPY TIDINGS: Agricultural labourers clearing the weeds at a paddy field in Egaperumalur village of Pudukottai. —

PUDUKOTTAI: Cultivation of samba paddy crop is in full swing in Pudukottai district, thanks to 82 per cent excess rainfall received during the current month, said Collector A.Suganthi, here on Friday.

Presiding over the farmers’ grievances day meeting attended by a large number of farmers and representatives of farmers associations, the Collector said that the district had received 276.4 mm rainfall during the current month against the normal rainfall of 151.7 mm which brought cheers to farmers.

The Collector said that nearly two-third of the irrigation tanks had received good amount of water by rains this month and pointed out that out of the 168 tanks in the Cauvery Mettur Project (CMP) area about 110 tanks were now having water to meet the irrigation requirement for three months, 50 tanks for two months and eight tanks for a month.

Similarly, out of the 5,094 rainfed tanks in the district, about 390 tanks were having adequate water for a period of three months, 2,030 tanks for two months and 2,674 tanks for one month, she said.

Mrs Suganthi pointed out that samba paddy crop had so far been cultivated in 46,459 hectares in the district, millets raised in 3,105 hectares, pulses in 2,852 hectares, sugarcane in 1,438 hecares, groundnut in 4,772 hectares and gingelly in 4,662 hectares.

The Agriculture department is keeping adequate stock of all seeds including 190 tonnes of paddy and 44 tonnes of groundnut in the agricultural extension centres. Besides, sufficient quantity of certified seeds are also available in the licensed private seed outlets, she said.

The Collector said that the district had sufficient stock of fertilisers including 3,059 tonnes of urea, 2,985 tonnes of DAP (di-ammonium phosphate), 1,891 tonnes of potash and 2,515 tonnes of complex fertilisers and being distributed through primary agricultural co-operative societies and private outlets.

Mrs Suganthi appealed to the farmers to insure their crops under the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and pointed out that the sum insured for samba paddy had been increased to Rs.10,312 per acre for normal coverage and the premium would be Rs.206, which was two per cent of the sum insured.

The farmers should submit the insurance proposal form to the concerned PACBs or commercial banks in their respective areas, she said.

The Collector said that precision farming in sugarcane crop would be covered in 90 hectares in Karambakudi, Arimalam, Viralimalai, Kunnandarkovil and Annavasal blocks in the district. Under organic farming and organic manure production unit scheme, back ended subsidy will be provided Rs.50,000 per unit for setting up of vermin compost unit, she said.

Mrs Suganthi explained in detail the National Food Security Mission scheme in rice under which high yielding and hybrid paddy seeds would be provided to the farmers with subsidy. The Collector also advised the farmers to take up the samba paddy cultivation under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method of cultivation to get more yield at less cost. B.Krishnasamy, Joint Director of Agriculture (in charge), Pudukottai, wanted the farmers to contact the agricultural extension centres to get details about various schemes and avail the benefit.

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