Tamil Nadu - Nagapattinam   

Samba to be raised on 1.11 lakh hectares

NAGAPATTINAM: As the Mettur Reservoir was opened for irrigation on Wednesday, the district administration, along with all the line departments, has geared up to meet the logistics required for the samba season. Over 1,11,000 hectares would be brought under samba in the district this year.

The normal samba area in the district is about 1,02,000 hectares. However, this year, the total Kuruvai area of 35,000 hectares that was not met completely would be brought under Samba.

Under Kuruvai, about 23,860 hectares were covered so far and a currently available nursery of 230 hectares would provide an additional coverage of 2,300 hectares under Kuruvai.

Lack of filter points

The remaining 9,000 hectares of Kuruvai shortfall is proposed to be brought under Samba. Speaking to The Hindu, R.V.Karunakaran, joint director of Agriculture pointed out to the lack of filter points for irrigation in the Vennar division unlike the Cauvery basin.

Except for a few places like Thirumarugal and Thalainayar, where filter points are available, other areas in Vennar suffer for want of water. Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Kollidam, Kuthalam and Semmanarkoil that bask under the Cauvery basin are not constrained by irrigation hurdles.

As for samba preparations, Mr.Karunakaran observed work on raising nurseries have commenced in areas under Cauvery and lift irrigated areas under Vennar.

Ensuring readiness

Last weekend, the district administration under Collector C.Munianathan held a meeting with all line departments such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Public works , Co-operatives and Commercial banks to ascertain the preparedness for samba crops.

Availability of paddy seeds, chemical and bio fertilizers, biocides, and micro nutrients was ascertained. According to Mr.Karunakaran, agricultural inputs would be provided on subsidy granted under the National Food Security Mission-Rice (NFSM-Rice). The Public Works Department was asked to strengthen bunds of irrigation channels, repair shutters and remove water hyacinths and ipomea.

The Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACs) have been directed to disburse crop loans and also collect crop insurance premium from the farmers at the time of loan disbursement.

A Fertilizer Control Cell has been set up at the Officer of Joint Director under the Assistant Director-Quality Control to receive and act on complaints of shortfall of fertilizers. The cell can be contacted at 04365-242351.

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