The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : Many ryots adopt System of Rice Intensification

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Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Many ryots adopt System of Rice Intensification

M. Balaganessin

Overwhelming response from farmers in Tiruverumbur block

Cost-effective: Agriculture officials explaining the System of Rice Intensification at Veethivadangam village near Tiruchi.

TIRUCHI: Inspired by the efficacy of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique as a means of both cost-cutting means and labour-saving procedure for raising the paddy, several farmers of Tiruverumbur block in the district have switched over to this modern process.

Deviating from the conventional paddy cultivation pattern, the farmers have raised the popular ‘samba’ varieties such as ‘BPT 5204’ otherwise known as ‘White ponni’; ‘Co-43’, with a duration of 130 days. Coping with the farmers’ expectations of achieving higher yield with lesser investment, officials of Agriculture Department have also geared up their efforts in motivating the paddy-cultivators to switch over to the new concept.

Of the total 8,500 hectares, at least 3,000 hectares are to be covered in the block under the SRI technique this ‘samba’ season, according to the Assistant Director of Agriculture, R. Ravi. He said that cluster demonstration areas have been identified at 12 villages including Ariyamangalam, Kuvalakudi, Ellakudi, Ottakudi, Melakalkandarkottai, Veedhivadangam and Pappakurichi villages in the block. The clusters, with 10 hectares each, have so far covered about 1,200 hectares.

Training to farmers

The Joint Director of Agriculture, Ponnusamy, said that intensive training with a close follow-up of the crop growth, was being imparted to the farmers.

He said that less use of seeds — just two kg an acre; lesser labour for raising nursery and transplanting; efficient use of ‘marker’ equipment for raising the crop; enrichment of soil fertility through clearing of weeds using cono-weeder; minimum use of irrigational waters have all gone to attract the farmers in a big way.

The Assistant Director of Seed Certification, R. Rajasekaran, said that a few fields have been registered as a seed farm for ensuring availability of quality seeds for the villagers.

The Department will supply 120 cono-weeders and an equal number of markers to the farmers of the block.

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