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The Hindu
25-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers walkout over delay in water release at grievance redress meeting in Nagercoil
Farmers staged a walk out during the monthly grievance redress meeting held in Nagercoil on Friday, citing that the delay in the release of water in Ananthanar canal had led to withering of agricultural lands, especially in Thovalai and Agasteeswaram blocks. The grievance redress meeting was chaired by Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena. At the outset, a group of farmers carrying paddy seedlings condemned the delay in the release of water for irrigation and walked out of the meeting. The farmers said that the paddy fields in Thovalai and Agasteewsaram blocks were severely affected due to the delay. Amabai 16 and TPS 5 are the predominant paddy varieties cultivated in the region, with a total growth period of 115 days. Accordingly, water must be ideally released in the canal by the first week of June. However, restoration works on the 'Ulli odai' brook near Surulacode have further delayed the release, the farmers added. 'Water was finally released only in the fourth week of June, which took almost two weeks to reach Thengamputhoor and other regions in Agastheeswaram block. By then, the fields had withered due to lack of water and many seedlings had wilted' the farmers said. They further pointed out that the authorities are citing the unavailability of construction materials as the reason for the delay in restoration, which is unacceptable in today's world. They demanded compensation for those affected by the delayed water release. Nanjil Puthanar Irrigation Association President Thanu Pillai, Padmanabhapuram Puthanar Irrigation Association President Radhakrishnan, Farmers Chenbagasekara Pillai, Malavilai Pasi were among the farmers walked out of the meeting. The sudden walkout of the farmers created a stir in the meeting hall. At the meeting, the collector also addressed the significant number of petitions related to eviction of encroachments from canal porambokes, water ways and water bodies. Padmanabhapuram Sub Collector Vinay Kumar Meena, Revenue Divisional Officer, Nagercoil S. Kaleeswari and other officials were present at the meeting.
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
05-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Delay in Anathanar canal water release leaves farmers in distress
Despite the repeated assurance from the Water Resource Department (WRD)that water would be released into Anathanar canal by the second week of June, the release has been delayed due to the ongoing restoration near Surulacode. As a result crops are withering, leaving the farmers in distress. Following the release of water from the Pechiparai dam on June 1 for the irrigation purposes across the district, farmers continue to express their concerns over the restoration of 'Ulli Odai' brook at the Anathanar canal near Surulacode may further delay the water supply into the canal. This concern was raised during the farmers' grievance redressal meeting as well. However, the official from the WRD department assured that the brook would be restored shortly and water would be released by the second week of June. During that time the WRD officials attributed the delay to a shortage of materials needed for the restoration work. Due to continued non-release of water, paddy fields and crops are withering in Siramadamam and other villages of Thovalai taluk. Chenbagasekara Pillai, a farmer of Thuvarankadu stated that around 9,987 acres of agricultural land are being irrigated through Ananthanar canal directly and indirectly. 'The district administration and WRD department are carrying out restoration at their own pace, without considering the plight of farmers and importance of timely irrigation,' he added. He noted that the paddy varieties sown in the region, mainly 'Ambai 16' and 'TPS 5' have a growth duration of 110 days. With over 35 days already elapsed and no water supply, farmlands have begun to crack due to dryness. 'There will be no use even if the water is released now. The farmers cannot achieve the maximum yield,' said Mr. Chenbagasekara Pillai.
