Although farmers suffered some fall in the harvest of “BPT 5204” this season, there appears to be a good demand for the produce.
A large area has been brought under the variety, popularly known as “Andhra Ponni” in Tiruchi district in general and Srirangam taluk in particular. There were complaints about the crop having been damaged due to incidence of some disease or pest attack.
The crop does not bear humidity and, obviously, during the period from January to February, the crop suffers serious loss in terms of yield.
Thick formation of fog during the Tamil month of Margazhi has resulted in some loss to the crop. Anticipating the formation of the fog, farmers have resorted to preventive measures this season to minimise the loss in yield.
P. Karuppan, a farmer in Kumara Vayalur, said he had raised the paddy variety on about four acres of land.
Athough he could harvest just 40 bags an acre, about four or five bags short of his usual harvest, he was happy over the prospective rate and assured market for the crop. “Brokers have been making a beeline to Kumara Vayalur for the past one week, demanding for the BPT 5204 variety,” he said indicating the assured market for the produce.
The brokers have fixed the price at Rs. 1,250 a bag of 62 kg each and will directly visit the fields to buy the grain.
He said good northeast monsoon had enabled the growth of paddy this season.
