ARIYALUR: Maize cultivators in the rain-fed region of Ariyalur and Tiruchi districts have been keeping their fingers crossed due to drought condition which had resulted in fall in quality and quantity of the produce this season.
The crop has been raised on a total extent of 24,500 hectares in these districts -- 12,500 hectares in Ariyalur disitrict and 12,000 hectares in Tiruchi district. Major villages are located in the Pullambadi block on the border of these two districts, Mannachanallur, Thuraiyur and Uppliyapuram besides part of Thottiyam block - all in Tiruchi disitrict and Kaulpalayam, Sendurai, Jayamkondam and Gangaikondacholapuram in the Ariyalur district.
Farmers said that they had incurred a huge expenditure for raising the crop with a duration of 110 days. “The drought condition has resulted in poor yield,” said M. Rajalingam, one of the farmers of Kallagam on the border of these districts. Against two tonnes an acre, he could harvest just 200 kg,” he said. He said that he was deceived by the summer showers in May and June last year.
In anticipation of timely onset of North-East monsoon, the farmers in the rain-fed areas had raised the crop. M. Karthick of Ariyalur district said that the size of the maize was affected due to poor growth. “Failure of monsoon and consequent loss of nutrients in soil had led to a serious loss,” he said.
Farmers said that the trash was being utilised as a fodder for the livestock. “In the absence of fodder for animals, the maize trash is being utilised as the feed for cows and buffalo,” Mr. Rajalingam said.
Sources said that a report on loss of maize had been presented to the Central team which visited and inspected the drought-prone areas in these two districts.
