A total area of 24,800 hectares will be brought under kuruvai in Tiruvarur district under the special package during the current cropping season using groundwater.
The State government has initiated steps to provide adequate inputs and implements to farmers with a budgetary support of Rs.9.68 crore, said R.Kamaraj, Food Minister, at a function held at Valangaiman to distribute assistance to farmers on Sunday.
Referring to the shortage of farm labourers, he said the package included mechanisation of various processes right from transplanting the nursery to clearing weeds.
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A sum of Rs.1crore has been allocated to 50 farmers’ groups for using machines for transplanting nurseries, and another Rs.7.50 crore to equal number of groups for clearing weeds.
Mr.Kamaraj appealed to farmers to use groundwater judiciously with the help of the free PVC pipes supplied by the State government.
Every aspect of agriculture activity during the season has been well designed and community nursery units with 100 per cent subsidy were being setup at an outlay of Rs.1.06 crore.
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Zinc sulphate, gypsum, and other nutrients were also being supplied to farmers, he said.
Power supply
On the question of assured power supply, the Minister said 12-hour-uninterrupted power supply was being provided from June 6.
So far, under kuruvai, 4,696 hectares have been covered under SRI method, and 4,250 hectares under normal cultivation.
A few farmers have also adopted broadcast technique in 328 hectares.
Preparation is on for bringing the balance area under cultivation.
Mr.Kamaraj gave away fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs worth Rs.24 lakh to 71 farmers.
M.Mathivanan, Collector, presided over the meeting. P.Manimaran, District Revenue Officer, and K.Mayilvaganan, Joint Director of Agriculture, were present.