The administration has warned of a crackdown against private companies and dealers of uncertified seeds and fertilizers. In the wake of release of water from Mettur dam, a review meeting on the preparedness of the line departments in meeting the requirements for samba season was held here recently.
Collector T. Munusamy said steps were being taken to ensure that the Kallanai gates were opened so that water reached downstream in time. Steps have been taken to repair shutters and dredge all channels.
Highways Department has been directed to remove any hurdles on waterways that might have come up during its construction activities over rivers.
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TWAD Board had been directed to ensure that pits dug up on riverbeds were properly closed before the water flowed downstream.
The current samba crop was expected to be raised over an area of 1.8 lakh hectares in Nagapattinam district. This would include over 58,000 hectares under direct sowing.
Adequate stocksADVERTISEMENT
About 824 tonnes of long-term and medium-term samba seeds such as Aaduthurai 46, B.B.T.5204, Savithiri, Aaduthurai 50 and so on were available in all agricultural extension centres of the district.
All primary agricultural cooperative societies and private dealers maintain a stock of 1,042 tonnes.
Farmers were advised to start nurseries for long-term crops by August end and for medium-term varieties by September end. According to Mr. Munusamy, there was adequate stock of fertilizers in all private and primary agricultural cooperative societies.
Dealers selling uncertified seeds and fertilizers would be hauled up, the administration has warned.