Tamil Nadu - Dindigul   

Cultivation area up in Dindigul district

K. Raju

Thanks to copious rain and comfortable storage in dams

DINDIGUL : With comfortable storage in major dams and above normal rainfall even in most of the grey areas, the overall area under cultivation in Dindigul district has increased sizably, higher than the targeted area for this season.

Farmers and agriculture officials have been forecasting bumper harvest of major crops including pulses and millets.

Of all crops, maize crop's cultivation area has increased substantially. At present, 40,000 hectares, mostly in Palani and part of Thoppampatti and Oddanchatram blocks, are under maize crop. The reason for the massive expansion is that a majority of farmers, who once raised cotton and other crops shifted to maize, thanks to high yield, stable price, short duration, less production cost and minimum water requirements. Good yield in major irrigation wells is also another reason for expansion.

While groundnut is grown on 23,000 hectares, paddy cultivation area has increased by 1,000 hectares in addition to existing area of 25,000 hectares. Sunflower and gingili are cultivated on 3,000 and 2,000 hectares respectively. Sugarcane cultivation area is expected to touch 6,000 hectares.

At present, `kuruvai' paddy and groundnut in Natham taluk are at harvesting stage. The farmers have already started harvesting groundnut in many parts of the district.

The district has received 189 mm rain in excess of the average rainfall of 560 mm till October. Excess rain helps to recharge irrigation wells and is sufficient to protect standing dry crops till harvest. Yield in many irrigation wells including ones in grey areas has increased substantially.

The farmers in ultra grey areas said that excessive rainfall protected standing crops from withering and expressed hope that the yield would be somewhat better, compared to previous year.

Substantial recharge in wells in cotton soil area would also enhance quantum of water supplied to cotton crop. However, cultivation of crops in certain pockets in Gujiliamparai, Vedasandur and part of Batlagundu extending towards Usilampatti was not as expected owing to below normal rain. But this rain was sufficient to improve grazing area considerably that ensured survival of cattle population, the agriculture officials said.

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