Farmers organisations have welcomed Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s announcement of the special package to enable farmers to take up kuruvai cultivation in delta region.
“The Chief Minister is trying her best to help farmers take up kuruvai cultivation to the extent possible. The announcement of the package, including 12-hour uninterrupted power supply for agricultural connections, for the second year will be of big help to farmers,” said Mahadhanapuram V.Rajaram, working president, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association.
Agriculture Department sources indicated that farmers in canal-irrigated areas in blocks along the Cauvery belt in Tiruchi district would also benefit from the package. Some farmers’ representatives sought the extension of the package to all farmers in Tiruchi and Karur districts.
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Mr.Rajaram suggested that the package be extended to farmers raising cash crops such as sugarcane, banana, and oil palm too as they too have been badly affected by the drought condition.
Besides, the government could also expedite the implementation of the solar pumpset scheme under which farmers were to be given solar pumpsets at 80 per cent subsidy.
Puliyur A.Nagarajan of the Congress Agricultural Wing sought the extension of the package to the whole of Tiruchi district without limiting it to the blocks in the Cauvery belt.
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The government should ensure that the decision to provide uninterrupted three phase power supply for 12 hours was implemented fully to benefit the farmers, observed Ayilai Sivasuriyan, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, The package could not be the only solution. The State government should intensify efforts to get Tamil Nadu’s due share of Cauvery water from Karnataka, he said.
The package with measures such as supply of pipes at 100 per cent subsidy, transplant equipment, bio-fertilizers, and raising community nurseries would be of great help to farmers facing a crisis situation, said P.Ayyakannu, State vice president, Bharathiya Kisan Sangam. “We wholeheartedly thank the Chief Minister. We also urge her to take steps to get Tamil Nadu’s monthly share of Cauvery water from Karnataka as stipulated in the final award of the Cauvery Tribunal,” he said.
R.Subramanian, deputy secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, suggested that the State government convene a meeting of all parties and farmers organisations to press for the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee at the earliest.
THANJAVUR: Farmers of Thanjavur and Tiruvarur welcomed the Rs.32.95-crore package announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for kuruvai season.
S.Ranganathan, secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, said the package would help farmers in pumpset-irrigated areas . “Last year PWD managed the available water very well,” . Mr.Ranganathan said. Farmers should not be overenthusiastic and extend their kuruvai area, he cautioned.
V. Palaniappan, secretary, Senior Agriculture Scientists Forum, said that farmers should use the 100 per cent subsidy scheme announced by the government properly. Officials should ensure that benefits reach the really needy.
V. Jeevakumar, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Vivasaya Thozhilalargal Sangam, said that government should keep its promise of providing three-phase power supply for 12 hours.
Swami Malai Vimalanathan, district secretary, Thanjavur Delta Farmers Protection Association, said that last year agriculture minister and officials motivated farmers by visiting Thanjavur. This year too such initiatives must be taken up, he said.