Tamil Nadu

Rice intensification scheme picking up

THENI: System of Rice Intensification programme has started picking up among farmers in Cumbum Valley, thanks to high yield and low production costs and successful field trials.

About 2,300 hectares is under the new system of paddy cultivation in the valley this year.

The agriculture officials had launched this scheme under intensive crop management in the district last year to get more yield in a limited area with less water.

Trial fields, each spreading 10 hectares, had been set up at Kuchanur in Chinnamanur block and Koozhayanur in Bodinaickanur block, each costing Rs.20,000.

Successful trials in those demonstration plots proved that the yield had been shot up manifold against the yield obtained through conventional method. Production costs had also scaled down sharply as the new system minimised fertilizer use and cuts labour costs sharply. “Farmers require only five to eight kg of seeds per hectare against 75 to 100 kg required for conventional farming. More over, minimum labour force would suffice to maintain the crop. Five to eight women can do transplantation,” said an agriculture officer in Theni.

The Department of Agriculture has developed 30 demonstration plots this year also in Theni, Bodi, Chinnamanur, Uthamapalayam and Cumbum blocks to rope in more farmers into this modern system of paddy cultivation, he added. Introduction of cono-weeder, a simple manually operated mechanical device that presses the weeds in the field itself, simplifies removal of weeds, another major labour-oriented and time-consuming process, said progressive farmers.

“On the one hand, use of weedicides is completely eliminated and on the other number of labour for removal weeds is reduced to one or two to cover one hectare. Root damage is also nil,” they added.

More over, method of blending of weeds with soil enriches organic carbon content and increases oxygen supply to roots.

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