The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Micro irrigation system to be taken up on 790 hectares

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Micro irrigation system to be taken up on 790 hectares

Staff Reporter

Horticulture Department grants Rs. 1.65 crore
Rs. 20 lakh given as subsidy to farmers to install pipelines

Photo: Special arrangement

For greater thrust: Collector G. Sundaramurthi (fourth left) inspecting the micro irrigation system installed in a field in Namakkal district. —

NAMAKKAL: The Horticulture Department has brought over 790 hectares in Namakkal district under micro irrigation (sprinkler or drip irrigation) system.

The department sanctioned Rs. 1.65 crore as subsidy to 675 farmers in the district for installing drip or sprinkler systems for various horticulture crops, including fruits and vegetables, Collector G. Sundaramurthi said.

The district administration is providing greater thrust to promote micro irrigation system as it ensures conservation and judicious utilisation of water resources, especially ground water. Micro irrigation also extends several benefits to farmers, such as increased productivity and effective fertilizer application.

The micro irrigation programme is being implemented in the district since 2006-07 with the financial assistance from the Union Government, he pointed out after inspecting the micro irrigation systems installed in a few fields in Puduchatram block here recently.

Subsidy

As a part of water conservation initiatives, the Agriculture Department also provides 50 per cent subsidy to the farmers to install pipelines to carry water from the well to the fields. A sum of Rs. 20 lakh was given as subsidy to 115 farmers to install pipelines till date, he said.

The department had also initiated efforts to promote organic farming in the district. Farmers were being encouraged to start vermin compost units.

Compost units

In the current fiscal, five farmers were selected in every block to establish compost units with the financial assistance from the Coconut Development Board. Each unit would be established with a capacity to produce 50 to 60 tonnes of vermin compost in a year, he said.

The Collector also inspected the cultivation of cacao tree as an inter crop in coconut grove. The Government provides 50 per cent subsidy for procuring cacao seedlings under the Integrated Horticulture Development programme.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu