The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Dalit woman shows the way to better yields

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 09, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Dalit woman shows the way to better yields

By P. Sudhakar

A. Manonmani of Thenpaththu near Tirunelveli with the rotary weeder. — Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

TIRUNELVELI, AUG. 8. A Dalit woman from Thenpaththu, a small hamlet near Tirunelveli, who received the State award in 1998-1999 for getting the maximum paddy yield — 6,088 kg per acre — is all set to become a trendsetter.

She has adopted an advanced technology — System Rice Intensification — to get a better yield than the conventional method.

After receiving training from officials of the Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture College and Research Institute at Killikulam in Tuticorin district, A. Manonmani (43), began to follow the above method, as the kar season in this area demands judicious use of water. She implemented the technique on about half-an-acre.

The SRI technique requires lesser number of saplings per acre, a smaller quantity of water, little nourishment and lesser manpower.

``While we plant over 50 saplings for a square metre in the traditional method, we can plant only 25 seedlings under the SRI technique as we follow `line-planting', which makes weed management child's play as we use a specially-designed `rotary weeder.'

Moreover, the weeds are converted into manure for the crop, thanks to the user-friendly instrument,'' says Ms. Manonmani, who has taken on lease two acres for cultivation as her land is far away from the channel.

Since she irrigates her field once in five days — an interesting aspect of the technique — the soil develops hairline cracks once the water dries up, which allows greater air circulation around the roots to facilitate a huge number of tertiary roots. ``This is the main reason for the better growth of the plant, which consequently gives a better yield than the conventional method,'' explains Ms. Manonmani, the mother of four children.

Avoiding chemical agents, she employs biological control methods to destroy pests and the Leaf Colour Chart tells her if she should apply any fertilizer.

She has formed a self-help group in her village and offers free training on the SRI technique to women from Thenpaththu and neighbouring hamlets.

``We are now in the process of forming a technology group with women SHG members, who follow the SRI technique,'' said Sridharan, Assistant General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

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