District to produce 3.18L metric tonnes of paddy this year

MADURAI: As farming works are proceeding in full swing in Madurai following the release of water from Mullaperiyar dam, the agriculture department is anticipating a total production of around 3,18,900 metric tonnes of paddy in the district this year. The department anticipates that 62,100 hectares will be cultivated during the season through canal and well irrigation.
According to the data available from the department, the kuruvai season has commenced in the district, covering Madurai North, East and West and Vadipatti blocks over an area of 5,100 hectares. As much as 28,000 metric tonnes of paddy is expected from this area while the samba- the long-term cultivation- is expected to yield 2,56,400 metric tonnes of paddy from an area of about 50,100 hectares in the district, mainly in the Melur belt.
Lastly, the kodai (summer) farming season is expected to yield 34,500 metric tonnes of paddy from 6,900 hectares spread in Chellampatti area. The area is predominantly well-irrigated, while kuruvai and samba are canal-irrigated from waters of Mullaperiyar and Vaigai reservoirs.
"We expect to achieve both the projected cultivated area and yield as kuruvai season started on a promising note," said joint director of agriculture Saranath Babu.
The department has announced subsidies under two schemes- for seedlings and for transplanting using machines. Farmers opting for paddy varieties introduced in the last ten years will get a monetary subsidy of Rs 500 per bag of 50kg. A subsidy of Rs 3,000 per hectare will be given to farmers using transplanter machines, doubled from last year's Rs 1500 per hectare. The machines are rented from private parties who charge Rs 3,500 per acre, according to farmers.
Agricultural department officials said machine planting was being promoted among farmers to tackle the labour shortage. A sizeable portion of the workforce has moved to National Rural Employment Generation Programme while others migrated looking for greener pasturesleaving the farming sector looking towards mechanization.
"We have set a target of 8,300 hectares where seeds are to be planted using machines. We have received the funds for the subsidies. Besides, one farmer from T Kallupatti block has been selected to get a subsidy of Rs 2 lakh to procure the planting machine," Babu said. The machine costs Rs 8 to 10 lakh.