Two successful farmers – K. Navaneethan of Karupayoorani and Pava Puhartheen of Parayankulam – both from Madurai East Block received Rs 10,000 each as they were selected as “Best farmers in the Block”.
Presenting the cash awards, Deputy Director (Fertilisers), office of the Commissionerate of Agriculture, Chennai, K. Govindan appreciated the farmers' for their high yield during paddy harvest in the just concluded season. The paddy output was 9,740 kilograms/hectare and 9,400 kg/ha respectively.
Assistant Director (MEB) S. Kanagaraj said that based on different criterions formulated by the government, the best farmers' were selected and rewarded by the agriculture department. Apart from the yield, parameters like the attitude of the farmer towards learning the nuances in the agriculture and the latest techniques, enthusiasm in participating in training programmes sponsored by the government and among others were gauged in the selection process.
Micro irrigation scheme
Later, Mr. Govindan, who is the zonal officer for Madurai, in a review meeting, attended by Joint Director (Agriculture) P. Sankaralingam and others was informed about the steps taken in areas such as micro irrigation scheme. With the idea of implementing best management practices in the use of water by farmers, accessories including rain gun are given free of cost to small and marginal farmers. The block level officers should create awareness among the farmers' to make use of this. According to the officials, the rain gun, which costs around Rs 40,000, can effectively soak an acre in about three hours. Similarly, the features of modern equipments in drip and sprinklers too were explained by the zonal officer.
Like the best farmer award presented to Madurai East Block farmers, the Officials said that similar awards were given from the horticulture department and others in the district on the occasion.
