Water will be released from Grand Anicut for samba cultivation in delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagpattinam on September 21.
Water which was released on Monday from Mettur dam is likely to reach Grand Anicut on the night of September 20. It will be released between 9 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. on September 21 into Cauvery, Vennar and Grand Anicut canal systems, said N.Manoharan, Superintending Engineer, PWD, Thanjavur circle, here on Monday.
From Mettur dam, 15,000 cusecs will be released from Tuesday morning. Quantum of water to be released into Cauvery, Vennar and Grand Anicut canal systems will be decided on the realisation of water at Grand Anicut on September 20.
PWD is planning to release water continuously at first so that water may reach tail-end areas. Later it will introduce turn system. Agriculture department has geared up to help farmers to raise samba on nearly 1.2 lakh hectares in the district. Mohammed Yahiya, Joint Director of Agriculture said that already farmers have raised samba under direct sowing on 5,500 hectares in the district. In direct sowing method, seeds will be sown in the ploughed fields and allowed to grow in rain.
In Thanjavur district it is planned to raise community nurseries on 2,500 acres. Seedlings will be supplied to needy farmers from these community nurseries. Direct sowing may be done on nearly 10,000 hectares in the district, said Mr.Yahiya. Under System of Rice Intensification method (SRI), samba will be raised on nearly 20,000 hectares in 84 villages.
