With the release of water for irrigation of first crop in the double-cropping areas of Cumbum valley, farmers near the head works areas have started preparing the field and started raising nurseries. Farm activities are in full swing.
Meanwhile, farmers in other areas too have started preparing the field to raise small grains, pulses and oil seeds.
To meet the growing demand for fertilizers and seeds, the agriculture as well as cooperative departments have taken all measures to stock sufficient fertilizers and also to ensure availability of fertilizers and seeds to all farmers.
Sufficient stock of fertilizers and seeds was kept at 13 primary agriculture cooperative societies each in Theni and in Periyakulam blocks, 11 societies in Bodi, nine each in Chinnamanur and Uuthamapalayam blocks, seven societies in Cumbum and four in Kadamalaigundu blocks.
At present, 911 tonnes of urea was with the cooperative societies and 506 tonnes with the private agencies. Coop societies have 222 tonnes of DAP and private agencies have 203 tonnes. Societies have 476 tonnes of potash and private parties have 301 tonnes. Similarly, coop societies have 533 tonnes of complex fertilizers and private parties have 1,004 tonnes.
Agriculture extension counters have sufficient stock of certified seeds for distribution to farmers. They have 165 tonnes of seeds of ADT 45, ADT 39 and NLR 34449 varieties of paddy. Besides, 7.6 tonnes of small grains, 25.2 tonnes of pulses and 5 tonnes of oil seeds were with the agriculture office, according to agriculture officials.
All efforts were made to expand pulses, small grains and oil seeds area under cultivation in other places. Summer rain had encouraged farmers in rain-fed areas to raise at least one crop this season.
Storage in rural tanks and irrigation wells was comfortable and groundwater table too improved well owing to sharp showers during summer.
Capitalising on the summer rain, farmers in rainfed areas had sown tuar dhall. With the onset of southwest monsoon, more rain-fed areas would be brought under cultivation, hoped agriculture officials.
Agriculture as well as cooperative departments have taken all measures to stock sufficient fertilizers
