Kuruvai paddy cultivation is expected to be taken up on 8,000 acres in filter point areas of the district this year with farmers being supported under the special package announced by the State government.
The normal kuruvai area is 16,000 acres in the district. But given the poor storage in the Mettur reservoir and delay in release of water in the Cauvery, kuruvai paddy could be raised in only the filter point areas in the district.
The Agriculture Department is gearing up to implement the special kuruvai package announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to help farmers raise the crop. The package will be implemented in filter point areas in Andhanallur, Musiri, Manachanallur, and Lalgudi areas.
The government has allocated Rs. 1.47 crore for Tiruchi district out of Rs. 32.95 crore sanctioned for implementing the special package in delta districts.
Apart from three-phase power supply for 12 hours a day, the package envisages distribution of bio-fertilisers, micronutrients, pipes, and other inputs free of cost to farmers in filter point areas to help them raise the kuruvai crop. Sources in the department said farmers would be extended Rs. 25,000 an acre as subsidy for raising community nurseries adopting the system of rice intensification technique.
In Tiruchi district, community nurseries are to be raised on 70 acres of land which would be transplanted on about 7,000 acres.
Five kg of micronutrients and 10 kg of zinc sulphate would be distributed free of cost to identified farmers to improve productivity. Besides, farmers would be given 200 kg of gypsum an acre and liquid bio fertilisers. The implementation of the package would begin in a week to 10 days time, the sources said.
Twenty farmers groups in the district were to be given paddy transplanters, power weeders, and HDPE pipes would be distributed through the Agricultural Engineering Department at 100 per cent subsidy. At a recent meeting in Thanjavur convened by the Agriculture Secretary to discuss the preparatory arrangements for implementing the special package, it was disclosed that adequate quantity of certified seeds and fertilizers had been moved in.
About 1.3 tonnes of seeds were available at the agriculture extension centres and 34 tonnes with private dealers.
About 2,400 tonnes of urea, 1,924 tonnes of DAP, 2,720 tonnes of potash and 3,060 tonnes of complex fertilizer have been stocked in the district.
