State Government taking steps to overcome water crisis, says Minister

Government to help farmers conserve water and go in for better water management

Agriculture Minister R. Doraikannu (second left) releasing the Agri Intex 2019 fair directory at a function held in Coimbatore on Saturday. Minister for Municipal Administration S.P. Velumani (third left) receives the first copy.

The State Government has taken a series of measures to conserve water and improve the ground water table, Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development S.P. Velumani said here on Saturday.

At the inaugural of the 19th edition of Agri Intex, organised by Coimbatore District Small Industries’ Association (CODISSIA), the Minister said the kudimaramathu scheme, desilting of water bodies, construction of farm ponds and check dams even for small water canals were some of the initiatives. Planting of saplings had also been taken up on a large scale. Led by the then Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK Government had given a thrust to rain water harvesting during 2001-2006.

The Minister said teams had been formed now to ensure that rain water harvesting structures across the State were maintained properly.

Minister for Agriculture R. Doraikannu said food grain production in the State crossed 100 lakh tonnes six times in the last eight years. As the State stared at severe water crisis, the Government had announced steps to help farmers conserve water and go in for better water management. Further, it had so far given ₹143 crore subsidy for installing more than 3,000 solar pumps and ₹55 crore to help farmers mechanise farming activities.

According to N. Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, the University has taken 22 stalls at the Agri Intex this year and set up a demonstration farm. It has also developed a model nutrition garden. “We have live demonstration of several innovations and showcased the agri business opportunities,” he said.

K. Rajamani, District Collector, said collective farming had picked up in Coimbatore district in the last two to three years and several district-level farmer-producer companies had been formed.

J. Sravan Kumar, Commissioner and Special Officer, Coimbatore Corporation, said the civic body would focus on rain water harvesting and urged farmers also to go in for it. They would also benefit when the ground water level improved, he said.

The fair has 500 stalls with participants from across the State, other States and even foreign countries, said R. Ramamurthy, president of CODISSIA. Spread over three lakh sq.ft. the expo has 460 participants, N. Krishnaraj, chairman of the event, said.

The four-day exhibition at CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex is on till July 15.