Latest news with #Subrahmaniyan
International Business Times
08-07-2025
- International Business Times
ICA Nabs 2 Men Hiding in Boot of Malaysian Car Departing Singapore
Two men, aged 30 and 31, were found hiding in the boot of a Malaysian-registered car at Woodlands Checkpoint as they were allegedly attempting to leave Singapore illegally. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a news release on Tuesday, July 8, that both the men and the driver of the car were arrested and charged in court last Saturday. All of them are Malaysians. According to ICA, the car, driven by a 20-year-old man, was directed for further checks at Woodlands Checkpoint at around 3 am on Saturday. The officers found those two men hiding in the car boot. Neither of them had any travel documents. According to the authority, attempts to enter or exit Singapore unlawfully are taken seriously, and offenders would face legal action without hesitation. Illegal departure from Singapore carries a maximum punishment of S$2,000 (US$1,600), a maximum jail sentence of six months, or both. Offenders who are found guilty of transporting illegal immigrants out of Singapore risk a minimum of three canings and a jail sentence of two to five years. For illegal entry, offenders face up to six months' imprisonment and a minimum of three strokes of the cane. "The vehicles used in such offences are liable to be forfeited," added ICA. Senior Assistant Commissioner Maran Subrahmaniyan, commander of Woodlands Checkpoint, said, "This detection is a clear reflection of our officers' dedication and vigilance in safeguarding Singapore's borders. "ICA remains committed to conducting thorough security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to deter and prevent the smuggling of undesirable persons and prohibited items, including drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband," Subrahmaniyan added.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
New short duration paddy variety released by research institute emerges a popular choice for kuruvai crop
A newly released short-duration rice variety, ADT 59, is gaining traction among delta farmers for its high yield, salinity resistance, and bold grains — key traits that align with the needs of paddy cultivators in the Cauvery delta. Developed by the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai, the variety is now being promoted as a suitable replacement for the traditional choices such as ADT 37 and ASD 16. K. Subrahmaniyan, Director of TRRI, told The Hindu that the ADT 59 had demonstrated yield potentials of 15-20% more than conventional varieties. 'While typical yields in delta paddy farms are around 2,500 kg per acre, a farmer in Malapalaiyam village in Virudhachalam harvested up to 4,000 kg per acre using ADT 59 under Kuruvai conditions,' he said. Mr. Subrahmaniyan said only 50% of conventional fertilizer input is required for ADT 59. 'This is one of the highest-yielding bold grain varieties developed specifically for Kuruvai. It's cost-effective, nutritive, non-lodging, and perfectly suited to the delta's soil profile,' he said. 'Officially released last year, it is already being adopted widely by farmers.' As Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs) typically prefer bold grain varieties, ADT 59 offers an added advantage due to its grain weight, improving returns for farmers. R. Pushpa, Assistant Professor specialising in grain quality traits at TRRI, highlighted the research journey behind the variety. 'ADT 59 followed extensive trials after which it was released in 2024. Not only does it mature in 110-115 days, making it ideal for Kuruvai, Navarai and summer seasons, but it also performs well in saline conditions and under direct sowing system,' she said. 'Its yield is higher than its predecessors and it contains 19.4 mg of zinc per 100g, adding nutritional value,' she added. Ms. Pushpa said the variety's grain quality — short and bold — is particularly favoured for making idli and dosa. 'With a 6:1 rice-to-black gram ratio, it produces soft, firm batter, requiring less grain while giving more output,' she added. Farmers in the delta, who traditionally relied on older bold-grain varieties like TPS 5 developed outside the region, often face challenges with pest and disease resistance. ADT 59 addresses these concerns while offering resilience to stem borers, blast, and brown leaf spot, the TRRI authorities said.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Research institute favours climate-friendly non-puddled rice cultivation for kuruvai crop in delta districts
The Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai, has reaffirmed the potential of non-puddled machine transplanting (NPMTR) as a climate-smart, cost-efficient alternative to conventional puddled rice cultivation — reducing water, fuel, energy, and labour use by nearly 50% without compromising on yields. In a five-year field study conducted from 2016 to 2020, researchers compared NPMTR with puddled machine transplanting (PMTR) across the clay-dominant delta soil of Thanjavur. While yields remained comparable — 4.82 tonnes per hectare under NPMTR versus 5.06 tonnes per hectare under PMTR — the resource efficiency of NPMTR stood out. Fuel use decreased by 61.9%, energy by 50.6%, and water by 21%. Simplified field preparation, requiring just three tillage operations, reduced cultivation cost by ₹5,880 a hectare. TRRI director and co-author of the study K. Subrahmaniyan described NPMTR as a 'proven water-saving technology.' He said although the method was included in the TNAU Crop Production Guide, its broader adoption remained limited. 'This is a proven, soil-friendly method that aligns with Tamil Nadu's climate realities. The need now is to popularise it further, especially for kuruvai and summer paddy,' he said. 'Many farmers still use the puddled method, which is no longer sustainable in the face of erratic rainfall and rising input costs.' Puddling — the traditional method involving repeated tilling of flooded soil to create an impermeable layer — uses 250 mm to 300 mm of water, accounting for up to 30% of irrigation requirements. It degrades soil structure, reduces machinery efficiency, and contributes to methane emissions, Mr. Subrahmaniyan said. S. Elamathi, lead author of the study and Associate Professor specialising in farming systems, highlighted the practical benefits of NPMTR. 'In regions facing labour shortage and delayed water release, farmers need quick, less labour-intensive transplanting options. NPMTR fits well, especially for kuruvai and summer paddy,' he said. He explained that traditional puddling leads to soil compaction, restricts root growth in subsequent crops, and exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions. With rainfall becoming increasingly erratic, NPMTR offers a viable, climate-resilient alternative. Unlike puddling, the non-puddled method involves light irrigation followed by transplanting under alternative wetting and drying (AWD) conditions. It avoids deep tillage, reduces energy consumption, and supports sustainability across varied soil types.
