Samba paddy likely to be raised on 49,830 hectares in Tiruchi district
Agriculture officials in Tiruchi district expect samba paddy cultivation to cover nearly 50,000 hectares this year despite water storage challenges. Farmers are being encouraged to use short-duration seed varieties and direct sowing methods to conserve water.
Why it matters
Highlights regional agricultural adaptation strategies in response to climate-related water scarcity.
The samba paddy crop is expected to be raised on 49,830 hectares in Tiruchi district this year.
The normal average samba coverage is about 50,000 hectares in the district. Last year, with the copious flow in the Cauvery, the coverage exceeded 52,000 hectares. However, with the delayed opening of the Mettur Dam for irrigation this year owing to poor storage and monsoon, the Agriculture Department has advised farmers in the district to opt for short and medium duration varieties. The department has also advised farmers to go in for direct sowing rather than raising nurseries as it would help reduce the water requirement.
In order to conserve water, farmers have been advised to go in for medium and short-duration varieties such as TRY-3, ADT-54, BPT-5204, CO-52, CO-50, CO-56, Improved White Ponni, TKM-13 and IR-20.
An Agriculture Officer in the district says TRY-5, a short duration variety, can withstand soil salinity
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