Paddy farmers in Anamalai block in ‘wait and watch' mode; to start sowing after determining water adequacy

The Hindu

3 days ago

Farmers in Anamalai block where paddy is grown predominantly in Coimbatore district are in a 'wait and watch' mode to ascertain water adequacy, before commencing their sowing for this cultivation season. Though there was copious rainfall from the recent spell of Southwest monsoon, farmers are still faced with inadequacy of flow in the Aliyar river at this point of time for two reasons: the desilting works in the distributary network and the diversion of water from the Aliyar Dam to the system dams.
According to Agriculture Department sources, even last year, sowing commenced only during July, and harvest was carried out during November-December for the short-duration crop variety.
Anamalai block in Coimbatore district accounts for the highest extent of paddy cultivation in 580 hectares.
Barring 2023, a drought year, the farmers cultivate paddy for two cycles in a year in the block.
The crop sown during mid-January was harvested during April. The land has been kept fallow by the farmers awaiting certainty of water release.
Farmers raise both fine and bold varieties of paddy crop in the block. The Ko 51, a high-yielding, fine-grain rice variety developed by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is sown in the block. The cropping of the short-duration variety is carried out over a duration of 105 to 110 days.
Two types of bold variety paddy crops: ADT 37 and ASD 16 are also raised in the block suiting the soil conditions. Traditional crop varieties are least preferred by the farmers as the marketing support is not strong. There are signs of erstwhile coconut farmers switching over to cultivation of paddy, cholam (sorghum) and ground nut crops, according to officials.
Mono-cropping had made coconut susceptible to pest attacks, and aged plantations attacked by pests are being removed for switching over to agricultural crops, official sources added.