Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100151370300.htm

Tamil Nadu

“Adopt SRI method of cultivation”

Staff Reporter

A pioneering method with high prospects, Collector

test: Collector T.N. Venkatesh inspecting paddy crop raised under the System of Rice Intensification method in Krishnarayapuram region of Karur district

KARUR: System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a pioneering method that holds high prospects for the paddy farmers. As the system reports increased productivity, farmers can go in for the new method, according to District Collector T.N. Venkatesh.

Speaking after inspecting the fields of progressive farmers who had raised paddy under the SRI method of cultivation in Krishnarayapuram and Kulithalai regions of Karur district recently, Mr. Venkatesh said that reports from several parts of the State have indicated increased productivity if paddy were to be cultivated under the SRI method.

Farmers in the district, especially those in the Krishnarayapuram and Kulithalai regions that were being served by river Cauvery would do well to adopt the new method. Department of Agriculture and the district administration would extend all help and facilities for the farmers who come forward to raise paddy under SRI method, he assured the farming community.

Normally paddy would be raised in an estimated 17,600 hectares in Karur district. So far, farm operations have commenced and were in various levels of completion in around 5,500 hectares. Several filed demonstrations and hands on training workshops have been conducted for the farmers on the SRI method and its advantages. So far over 400 hectares have been brought under SRI method in the district, Mr. Venkatesh said.

The District Collector had a first hand experience of the SRI practices when he visited the fields of progressive farmers, Mahadanapuram M.C. Nagaraj and Parali Maheswari where he saw for himself the progress in around 25 hectares of paddy crop.

When there was a possibility of increasing productivity and reaping a bountiful then farmers could make use of the opportunity, he observed. He also handed over Cono Weeder and marker equipments at subsidized rates to identified farmers on the occasion.

Joint Director of Agriculture R. Durairaj, Deputy Directors K. Thiruvalluvan and V. Sampath and others officials were present.