Date:11/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/11/stories/2004081102871900.htm

Back TN farmers told to sow medium varieties of samba seeds

Our Correspondent

Madurai , Aug. 10

WITH the announcement of release of water from Mettur dam from August 12, the Department of Agriculture, Thanjavur, has recommended the sowing of medium-term varieties of samba seeds to enable timely harvesting of the crop.

The samba seeds recommended are ADT 39 and CO 43 (for a period of 120 to 130 days) and ADT 38 (for a period of 135 to 145 days). The tail-end farmers have been advised to go in for direct sowing of samba.

According to the Joint Director of Agriculture, Mr Navaneetha Krishnan, the plan is to raise samba over 1.25 lakh hectares in the district. Through pumpsets and a community approach in which one raises nurseries and the seedlings are shared with other small farmers, nurseries have already been raised on 200 hectares in the Kumbakonam and Thrivudaimaruthur areas.

The department has 500 tonnes of samba seeds and the private parties about 1,100 tonnes, Mr Krishnan said.

While the release of water will enable the crop to withstand the northeast monsoon in November and December, farmers are concerned about the water reaching the tail-end areas by August 20, the sources said.