With northeast monsoon bringing in poor rainfall , farmers in the district are keeping their fingers crossed over the prospect of samba paddy. Even farmers who had already raised the crop are yet to decide on applying fertilizers, due to paucity of water and unscheduled power .
A cross section of farmers in Viralimalai and surrounding areas who had raised the seedlings, have given up the plan to transplant it. Although agriculture department has made arrangements for supplying fertilizers, the sale has been below normal, some fertilizer dealers said.
M.Sebastian, district secretary of the Communist Party of India-led Tamizhnadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said that about 2,000 acres had been affected in Visalur, Puliyur, Kannankudi, and Kulavaipatti. Seedlings raised in Perambur and Suriyur near Viralimalai about a week ago were yet to be transplanted, as farmers do not want to take any risk due to poor rainfall. Mr.Sebastian said that prolonged failure of monsoon would damage the standing crop.
G.S.Dhanapathy, a farmer, says that fertilizer could not be applied due to inadequate water. “We need additional water for applying fertilizers.” Endorsing the view, L.Kailasanathan, president, Aranthangi Fertiliser Dealers Association, said that sale of fertilizer was below normal this season due to failure of monsoon.
Agriculture officials pin their hopes on the weather bulletin for December 4, when the northeast monsoon is likely to stabilise. The hot spell in the post-Deepavali season has resulted in the near-withering of the standing crop. “However, farmers with irrigational facility have been tackling the crisis to some extent,” say sources.
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