After reeling under successive droughts for the last few years, particularly in the northern region of Tiruchi and neighbouring Ariyalur district, farmers are confident of a bumper harvest of maize following copious rain from northeast monsoon.
Unlike paddy raised in some parts of Tiruchi, which has promised irrigation from the Cauvery, maize cultivation mainly depends on seasonal rainfall.
Farmers in Pullampadi, Mannachanallur, Thuraiyur, Uppiliyapuram, Musiri and Thottiam have brought 15,500 hectares of land under maize cultivation.
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Maize had been raised on more than 15,800 hectares in Ariyalur district.
Farmers feel that the rain has raised the hope of getting a bumper harvest this time. The crop, which is at flowering stage, looks healthy in most parts of these two districts. Farmers have now begun the process of applying fertilizer to stem the growth.
“We have received rain at the right time. The crop is healthy than last year. There is no symptom of disease to the crop so far,” says C. Pichai Pillai of Koulpalayam near Ariyalur.
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He says the crop will come to harvest in the last week of December or the first week of January. There are chances of a few more rainy days in the next two or three weeks. If the present trend continues, chances are bright for a good harvest.
R. Chandrasekaran, Joint Director of Agriculture, Tiruchi, says as against the target of 12,000 hectares of land, maize has been raised on 15,500 acres. Field reports suggest that the farmers will get more than two tonnes per acre.
A good monsoon has helped the crop in a big way