With the State government announcing a special package to help farmers in filter point areas to take up kuruvai cultivation, the Agriculture Department plans to extend financial assistance to farmers taking up mechanical transplantation in about 1,000 acres in the district this year. Financial assistance of ₹4,000 an acre, as cent percent subsidy, is to be provided to farmers who opt for mechanical transplantation under the package.
Three-phase power supply for 12 hours a day, subsidy for installing drip and sprinkler irrigation system for small and marginal farmers, subsidised high-yielding paddy seeds, power tillers and rotavators, 90% subsidy for solar-powered pumpsets for farmers and diesel engines are among the other components of the package.
Besides, subsidy for micro nutrient mixture, green manure and PVC pipes are also being extended. The State has allotted ₹1.01 crore to the district for the scheme this year, according to Agriculture Department officials.
Director of Agriculture V. Dakshinamurthy on Wednesday inspected the mat nurseries raised for mechanical transplantation under the package at a field at Appathurai village near Lalgudi.
Mr. Dakshinamurthy also distributed inputs such as paddy and blackgram seeds, liquid bio-fertilizers and micro nutrient mixture to the farmers. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dakshinamurthy pointed out the kuruvai package was being implemented by the State government in the delta areas for the sixth consecutive year. Seeds of high yielding paddy varieties would be distributed with a subsidy of ₹17.50 a kg through the Agricultural Extension Centres. Under the package, farmers were also given certified seeds of pulses at 60% subsidy.
To encourage water conservation, priority was being given to extend subsidy to small and marginal farmers for installing micro irrigation systems, he said.
Joint Director of Agriculture (in-charge) AR. Periyakaruppan and other officials accompanied Mr. Dakshinamurthy.
