At present, a situation of confusion has arisen regarding the cultivation of paddy in the state. samba weather.
Despite this year’s southwest monsoon receiving more rainfall for the state and comfortable storage irrigation reservoirs, the paddy coverage is about 90,000 hectares less than what was achieved in 2021.
The primary reason is the decline in the reported coverage in the non-Cauvery delta region, which has grown paddy in about 2 lakh hectares as against about 2.82 lakh hectares last year. About 70,000 hectares have declined.
A state agriculture department official attributed the drop in coverage in the non-delta area to “poor performance” in southern districts, such as Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar. Surprisingly, these three districts have recorded excess rainfall during the 2022 monsoon.
“When we needed it, it didn’t rain much,” says M. Maduraiveeran, a farmer-leader from Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram. Avni (August-September), when farming activities gained momentum forever, has been a lean patch.
Their observation is strengthened by the meteorological department’s rainfall data. Till August 31 (from June 1), 16.6 cm, 49 cm and 25 cm were recorded in Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar districts, but in the following four weeks, the districts received 1.4 cm, 9 cm and 5 cm of rain, respectively.
There is one more reason. The farmer-leader complains that the waterways for irrigation are poorly maintained and Seema KaruvelamAn exotic and invasive species known to be harmful to the ecology has contributed to the condition of farm fields receiving less water than otherwise, despite excess water being released from the Vaigai Dam.
As there is a slight decrease in coverage in the delta region, officials say that farmers in this region did better during this period. Kuruvais In the farming season, he might have decided to take a break and prefer to delay farming. Ultimately, there will be no decline in paddy coverage in the delta region, the official says.
Meanwhile, AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami cited reports of damage to standing paddy crop in the delta region due to the crop. He demanded payment of compensation of ₹ 35,000 per acre to the affected farmers, besides survey of rain-affected areas across the state.