Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120457250100.htm

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Monsoon rain beneficial to farmers

Special Correspondent

MADURAI: Continuous rain in the recent past in and around the district has benefited farmers to a large extent, say agriculture department officials.

Collector P. Seetharaman, who reviewed the situation with officials last week, found that standing crops in some pockets of Melur, Kottampatti, Tirupparankundram and surrounding blocks were submerged. During that period, on a single day Peranai received 135 mm of rainfall.

To avert flooding, excess water was diverted through an alternative canal. As a result, almost all the tanks were either overflowing or had evenly received over 80 per cent of rainwater, officials said.

The total extent of lands affected owing to rains was initially estimated at 62.95 hectares. However, after the rain stopped, water receded from the fields. Inspections by several teams revealed that about 25 hectares alone were affected and not 62.95 ha as calculated earlier, officials said.

The rainfall did help fill all rain-fed tanks. The areas that benefited the most included Usilampatti, Sedapatti and Tirumangalam. Farmers had been advised to marginally increase fertilizer intake to the fields as it would take care of the standing crops well, said Joint Director (Agriculture) K. Periasami. The expected yield at the time of harvest would not be affected, he added.

“Farmers are welcome to approach us over any doubts over the status of crops in the post-rain scenario,” Mr. Periasami said. “Our staffers have been inspecting affected parts block-wise and wherever farmers or their associations informed about damage, we will visit the area,” he said.