The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Prospects of good harvest bright despite inundation

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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Prospects of good harvest bright despite inundation

C. Jaishankar

November rain offsets deficit at the right time to save standing crops

—Photo: L. Balachandar

Better days ahead: A farmer applying fertilizer in his field at Muthuvayal near Ramanathapuram.

RAMANATHAPRAM: In spite of water inundation in agricultural fields at some places in the district, the prospects of standing paddy crops look bright, giving hopes of a good crop for farmers.

Though the district recorded poor rainfall in September and October, a period crucial for paddy sowing, the rain received in November has offset the shortage. As against the normal rainfall of 714.03 mm till November, the district has received 705.94 mm so far. With 10 more days left, it is expected that the rainfall will exceed the average for this month.

While it recorded just 84.11 mm as against the normal rain of 182 mm in October, 356.6 mm has been recorded in November so far. The average rainfall for this month is 200.3 mm. However, the amount of rain was less when compared to the corresponding period last year when Ramanathapuram received 1186.7 mm.

Though farmers are happy in general over rain and prospects of paddy crops, they also point out erratic distribution of rainfall. “The standing crop is not so healthy due to dryness till October and inundation in November. We have to take special efforts to stimulate the growth of crop,” says Tamildasan of Muthuvayal near here.

Water receding

S. Rajendran, Joint Director of Agriculture, said that water inundation in agricultural fields in a few areas had started receding. Field-level officials had been asked to inform the farmers to apply top dressing along the urea, blended with neem cake to stimulate growth. Pesticides and chemicals had been kept ready in agricultural extension centres for sale at 50 percent subsidy to control leaf roll disease.

Chances of good paddy crops were bright in general. So far around 95,000 hectares as against 1.30 lakh hectares had been covered. Remaining areas would be covered within this month.

Though the water level in tanks in the district is not satisfactory, officials hope that they may get filled up in the weeks to come.

Water level in tanks

M.K. Amarlal, Agricultural Officer, said that out of 1,727 tanks, nearly 1,300 had water for one-month irrigation. The inflow might increase as there were still a lot of rainy days left. Almost all tanks in Kamudhi had reached their maximum level. Water level was not good in around 400 tanks, he said.

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