Chennai: Tamil Nadu government is all set to announce a special financial package to provide succor to delta farmers for the third successive year. The package is aimed at helping farmers raise less water-intensive pulses and millets.
The customary June 12 water release from Mettur reservoir will be given a miss this year – for the sixth consecutive year – also owing to shortage of water, depriving the farmers an opportunity to cultivate Kuruvai paddy.
Mettur dam, which is the only source of water for Cauvery delta districts, has only five percent water. In the last two years, farmers in six districts – Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, parts of Trichy, Ariyalur and Cuddalore – were provided assistance like three phase power supply for 12 hours, mechanical transplantation of paddy crop, distribution of inputs like micronutrient mixture, zinc sulphate, HDPE pipes, ploughing subsidy and distribution of pulses and green manure seeds in Cauvery basin at 100% subsidy. Over three lakh acres were benefitted in both the years at an outlay of Rs 100 crore.
The Edappadi government has been holding discussions on the modalities for this year’s scheme keeping in mind that the water-starved state relies more on monsoon and inter-state rivers to meet its requirement. "This year, the package will be focused on raising pulses and millets. The officials of the delta region have been indicated last week on the promotion of less water-intensive crops. In areas where water availability is assured, assistance will be extended for paddy," said a senior government official. The plan is to ensure that farmers get income from at least one short duration crop – as pulses mature in 70 days and millets 80-110 days.
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