‘Summer Crop Plan’ works wonders for farmers
The ‘Summer Crop Plan’ introduced in the district to increase the area under cultivation of short duration crops such as pulses and oilseeds is working wonders for farmers in Kayathar block.
It is an ambitious programme proposed by Agriculture Department for the summer season from April - June to cultivate short duration crops such as pulses, gingelly, and oilseeds in areas where there is scope for raising a crop utilising the soil moisture available or using the irrigation sources possible. This would augment the income of farmer besides improving the soil fertility.
It is normal to raise black gram in the fallow lands during FebruaryMarch after harvesting the ‘pisanam’ paddy raised during northeast monsoon. In the wetlands, just
Agricultural oicials inspecting a field in Kayathar block in Thoothukudi district.
before harvesting paddy, black gram seeds are sown in the eld. This seed gives yield utilising the residual moisture in the elds after the paddy harvest. It is a convention in parts of Tiruchendur block alone to raise gingelly after paddy harvest.
Thoothukudi district has been assigned an area coverage target of 1,705 hectares under pulses and 100 hectares each for gingelly and groundnut during
the summer season.
Joint Director of Agriculture Surulimalai said pulses on 997 hectares, groundnut on 203 hectares and gingelly on four hectares had been achieved out of the target of 1,905 hectares. Millets such as cumbu, cholam, and maize were raised on 37 hectares, cotton on 281 hectares and paddy on 367 hectares.
While pulses and gingelly are generally raised as a second crop following ‘pisanam’
paddy season, groundnut is raised mostly in the red soil tracts of Sattankulam, Kayathar, and Srivaikundam taluks.
Ettayya Pandi of Thirumangalakurichi in Kayathar block said he was cultivating an Andhra groundnut variety on 10 acres and a variety from Gujarat on three acres, using drip irrigation laid with subsidy from the department. He said each plant would bear 80 groundnut pods, of which 70 would mature. Madasamy of Thirumangalakurichi who cultivates black gram on three acres, installed rain hose for e¦cient irrigation water management. The crop is in ªowering to pod lling stage. The yield of both groundnut and blackgram is expected to be good during this summer.
“Since we are following the farming techniques advocated by the o¦cials, we are sure of getting good yield in June with available water despite the scorching summer,” says Mr. Ettayya Pandi.
The o¦cials, who visited the elds on Wednesday, recommended spraying of 2% DiAmmonium-Phosphate for more ªowering and pod formation.
Personal Assistant (Agriculture) to the Collector V. Martin Rani said the yield in Sattankulam and Srivaikundam taluks was good following isolated showers.