BOON: Kanyakumari Collector Rajendra Ratnoo testing the imported equipment at Thiruppathisaaram near Nagercoil.
: Collector Rajendra Ratnoo on Tuesday had a look at the paddy sapling planting equipment, imported from Japan, on the premises of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
The Rs.17.24-lakh equipment is being used for planting paddy saplings under the ‘System of Rice Intensification' method, rechristened in Tamil Nadu as ‘Rajarajan 1000.'
The equipment plants paddy saplings on one acre in 8 rows within 60 minutes. Spacing and number of paddy saplings can be adjusted as per the requirement of the farmer.
“As the government gives a subsidy of Rs. 4 lakh for purchasing this equipment, farmers should come forward to buy it,” said Mr. Ratnoo. Joint Director of Agriculture N.S. Ganesan was present.
