Tamil Nadu   

World Bank experts study new paddy cultivation system

VILLUPURAM: Two water resource management experts from the World Bank visited Villupuram on Saturday to study the implementation of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).

The experts namely Maxie and David A. George met Collector R. Palanisamy and elicited information about the extent of area covered under the SRI.

The Collector said that the SRI system was being implemented through the World-Bank aided IAMWARM (Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management) project in the district.

Of the 1.60 lakh hectares of cultivable lands in the district SRI system was adopted in 60,000 hectares so far.

The farmers were evincing keen interest on the new method of paddy cultivation and they were encouraged by the State government and the agriculture department.

The World Bank experts visited some of the farms at Pagandai and V. Mathur where the SRI system was in vogue.

They interacted with the farmers asking them about the concessions or grant given by the government, availability of bank loans and the advantage of the system.

K. Arunachalam, a progressive farmer, said that the Collector had been propagating the new agriculture concept through all forums and public functions.

The farmer further said that he also heard from his peers about the advantages of the SRI system.

Under the traditional system of paddy cultivation 30 kg of seeds would be required for an acre, but under the SRI system just three kg of seeds were enough.

By using the rotor mechanism weeding operation could be carried out with three persons instead of the usual 15 persons.

Water consumption would also be much less, whereas, the yield would be almost double that of the regular farming method, Mr. Arunachalam said.

Impressed by the enthusiasm of the farmers the experts called upon the officials to post details of the latest technological advancement in the sphere of agriculture on website to create awareness among the new generation of farmers and the youths.

They appreciated the efforts put in by the Collector in popularising the concept.

Those who accompanied the team included P.J. Pandian and V.K. Ravindran of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, N. Ramamurthy of the Tindivanam Oil Seeds Research Centre and P. Ramalingam, Joint Director of Agriculture.

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