Fertilisers are sufficiently stocked in Sivaganga; farmers need not be apprehensive, say officials
There was sufficient stock of urea and other fertilisers in the district and there was no need for any apprehension, farmers' were informed here on Thursday.
Sivaganga District Collector Asha Ajith presided over the farmers' grievance meeting.
When farmers' raised a query that there was not sufficient fertiliser, especially, urea and potash in select blocks, Joint Registrar (Cooperatives) Rajendra Prasad said that there was enough stock in hand. There was no need to panic. The district had at least 100 metric tons of urea. He said that all the outlets selling fertilisers have been instructed to display the stock position, price and other information in the boards.
He also assured to take swift action against erring outlets and informed the farmers about the measures taken by the district administration.
Some of the farmers' wanted the agriculture department officials to remove the thorny bushes (karuvelam trees) which posed a big challenge to the growth of various crops, the Collector explained the steps taken block wise across the district.
A farmer Manalmedu Raja said that the officials should have a monitoring mechanism in Poovanthi, where a large number of North Indians and other people worked in the granite polishing units.
Though the government was sympathetic with farmers' who lost their crops to destruction by the wild animals, the Tangedco officials refused permission to install solar fences, the members complained with the Collector. As a result, the issue remained unsolved and farmers' were at the receiving end all through the year, they said and urged the officials to permit them to put up solar fence.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Damaged underground power cables in Trichy to be replaced
Trichy: Tangedco has sanctioned 25 lakh to replace the damaged underground power cables connecting the Ammapettai substation in rural Trichy to Inamkulathur town. The power cables beneath the railway level crossing on Trichy to Dindigul railway lines sustained damages and became defunct after the 2018 Gaja cyclone. After the disruption, Tangedco supplied power to Inamkulathur and adjoining localities including Puthukkulam and Keelapatti from the Viralimalai substation. The underground power cables will be installed for 70m long and as per the safety norms, security casing will be provided around the new cables. Cables will be laid under the trenchless method, without causing any disturbance to the railway crossing area. Tangedco took up the project after a request from Trichy MP Durai Vaiko in April. "Residents have been facing issues in power supply due to the temporary measure, which became permanent over a period. I will closely follow the whole process till new cables are laid," Durai Vaiko said. Officials said the new cables will be installed in the next few months. The existing cables were installed in 1998.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Karthumbi umbrella project battles fund crunch amid soaring demand in Attappadi
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Held back by a lack of funds and delayed government support, the Karthumbi Umbrella Project in Attappadi is struggling to keep up with the rising demand. Launched in 2014 by the tribal welfare group Thampu, the initiative has become a lifeline for tribal women in one of the state's most marginalised regions. 'We've made around 12,000 umbrellas this year so far,' says Rajendra Prasad, coordinator at Thampu. 'Once schools reopen, the number could rise to 20,000-22,000,' he said. The project began with a goal to offer sustainable employment to tribal women who had little to no access to economic independence. Currently, 30 women across 13 tribal hamlets are actively making three-fold and walking stick umbrellas at home, taking raw materials from a central store and stitching them during their free time. 'One experienced woman can make up to 15-20 umbrellas a day. It takes about 20 minutes to make one. If she finishes 20, she earns Rs 600,' said Prasad. These numbers could be much higher. But what is stopping them? A lack of consistent support. 'We've trained 250 women but due to a fund crisis, we can't offer jobs to everyone. The tribal department has not given the promised funds for the past three years. That's holding us back,' said Prasad. The gap between potential and capacity is stark. The team received around 25,000 enquiries this year from across the country, but couldn't fulfil most of them due to the shortage of working capital. Sourcing raw materials is another hurdle. 'All the materials come from Bombay,' says Prasad, listing out the eight essential components-nylon cloth, tube frame, chanduwa, handle, top washer, kangri, inner ferrule and covers. The total production cost comes to Rs 290-300 per umbrella, including labour, transport and packing. They sell it for Rs 350 in bulk, while it retails at `460 in shops. 'Some of the women used their income to buy two-wheelers, some built houses,' he said. But the profit margins have shrunk over time. 'Initially, women got `75 per umbrella. Now it is Rs 30 because the cost of materials has gone up,' the coordinator added. The project's turning point came in 2023 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Karthumbi in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address. 'That gave us national visibility. We started getting calls from outside Kerala. One of the biggest orders came from Bank of Baroda, which bought 10,000 umbrellas at `350 each. But this year, though they contacted us, we have not been able to confirm the order,' Prasad said.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Time of India
Mangroves strike roots in B Canal
Chennai: A once-polluted stretch of the Buckingham Canal at Kazhipattur has now turned into a thriving mangrove forest under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission. Spanning nearly 250m, the state forest department planted 12,500 mangrove saplings from five different species last year. These saplings have now matured into a lush green cover. Environment department secretary Supriya Sahu said that to support the saplings and improve water flow, they used the 'fishbone' technique — creating seven main structures with 87 channels and 80 distribution canals. "The sewage outflow was plugged years ago, and volunteers were roped in to monitor the growth of saplings. They, along with officials, took care of the saplings and recorded their growth," she said. She added that the mangroves will act as a buffer in the coastal areas, particularly near the Muttukkadu region, and prevent flooding during the rising of sea levels. The initiative was led by Chennai forest officer V A Saravanan and his team. Officials said the mangroves also help capture carbon, support biodiversity, and prevent land degradation. Some types of mangroves planted include avicennia marina, which is the most abundant species, followed by rhizophora apiculata, rhizophora mucronata, bruguiera cylindrica, and aegiceras corniculatum. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Is The Dental Implant In 2025 (Check) Dental Implant | Search Ads Search Now Undo Sahu said they mapped the state's coastal mangrove cover through the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management. "We have identified potential areas where fresh planting is required, including Cuddalore and Ennore," she said, adding that at Ennore 1.6 lakh mangrove saplings will be planted along the Kosasthalaiyar Estuary and surrounding areas. She added that a mangrove protection community will be created to monitor this. The city saw among the lowest plantation efforts — just 18 hectares over the past 10 years. Fishermen from Ennore said mangrove success in the estuary will only be possible if the release of coolant water from thermal plants is stopped. "The Ennore estuary is polluted with chemicals released by industries while the Tangedco plant is releasing its coolant water. The water cannot sustain any form of life. TNPCB must rein in all the industries," said M Raja, a fishermen community leader from Kattukuppam.
