For the second year in succession, Velu, a farmer in Morappakkam near Madurantakam, has become the envy of other farmers as the crop raised by him survived the inundation during the recent rains.
Enquiries reveal that the unexpected downpour in February last year had led to damage of paddy crop on several acres. However, one variety - ADT 49 paddy crop - raised by Mr. Velu on about two acres owned by his landlord M.J. Narasimhan using high-nutrient fermented organic manure survived the inundation, thanks to strong roots and firm stalk bearing the rice-corn. He harvested 30 bags each weighing around 75 kg of paddy per acre last year.
Thus, encouraged by the result and help from Mr. Narasimhan, Mr. Velu raised 150-days paddy varieties – ‘ ponni’ and ‘ kichili samba’ – this year on about 3 acres using the same organic manure.
When the crop was about to blossom, the paddy fields were flooded and remained under three feet of water for about three days. When the water level receded, the crops remained firmly rooted in the earth and paddy-corns started sprouting much to the delight of Mr.Velu.
Talking to reporters at the field at Morapakkam on Sunday, Mr. Velu said he was elated to witness the crop withstand the flood at the time of sprouting. Stating that he had not used pesticides as situations warranting the use of pesticides had not cropped up at all, Mr.Velu claimed he had not encountered rat menace too. “The crop will be ready for harvest by January”, he added.
