Grain output up in Tamil nadu, despite less rain

Uses precision farming to overcome water shortage.

Despite a good monsoon in Tamil Nadu, areas under cultivation have not received enough rainfall. However, the state government has assured that foodgrain production would touch 11.2 million tonnes, including 8.5 million tonnes rice and 2.3 million tonnes pulses, a senior official said.

From June to July 14, the state recorded 131.6 mm rainfall, against the average 71.5 mm — up by 84 per cent. A week back, the state witnessed the highest rainfall in the country at 193 per cent. But rain in areas under cultivation was not adequate.

The farmers were waiting for rain and expected the government to release water, but were left in the lurch as there was not enough water for harvesting the kharif crop. In Thanjavur district alone, nearly 35,000 hectares was not cultivated, said P Selvam, a farmer.

The government, however, announced release of water from Mettur reservoir that would help rice cultivators in the Cauvery delta.

S Kosalraman, commissioner of agriculture, Tamil Nadu government ,said the government had introduced system rice intensification (SRI) to overcome the water shortage and maximise production. The area under SRI had been increased from 2,000 hectares to 600 thousand hectares last year. This year, it would be increased to 0.85 million hectares.

"Precision farming, a method which was followed in Israel, was implemented as a pilot project in Dharmapuri district and has been introduced on 22,000 hectares across the state to enable farmers to increase production and reap profits," he added.

The state government has opened the sluice gates of the Mettur reservoir on July 28 in view of Adi Perukku festival. This will enable farmers to go for an early samba crop in mid-August. Agriculture department officials have also advised farmers to go for the long-term paddy crop early and not to postpone it till September. Officials also said the present level of 82 feet water in Mettur reservoir would aid samba cultivation only if the north-east monsoon sets in at the right time.

K Nanda Kishore, agricultural production commissioner and secretary in the agriculture department, said rice production has increased from 23.66 million tonnes in 2001-05 to 24 million tonnes in 2006-09. Food grain production has gone up from 28.7 million tonnes in 2001-05 to 31.89 million tonnes in 2006-09. Vegetable production has also increased from 26.87 million tonnes to 29.09 million tonnes. Fruits have also witnessed a rise in production. Total agricultural output has increased from 2,236 lakh tonnes in 2001-05 to 2,450 lakh tonnes in 2006-09.