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Kavunji to adopt cluster farming

KODAIKANAL: Kavunji will soon become a corporate village, thanks to introduction of a mega cluster project bringing 1,196.56 acres of irrigated, rain fed and wasteland under cultivation together at an estimated cost of Rs.7.77 crore. A total of 1,497 farmers will be benefited.

This cluster will produce potato, carrot, peas and beans in large scale adopting the latest techniques such as special precision farming, uniform cropping pattern and drip fertigation system.

While the Department of Horticulture will do field preparation, install drip fertigation system, develop community nursery and supply inputs for cultivation of vegetables, the Agro Engineering Department will create water structures, including 19 ground-level reservoirs to store water drawn from pipes from the Konalaru river and provide pumping facility to irrigate the entire project area.

Lift Irrigation Society by farmers will be set to man these structures in two days.

Ten community nurseries, one for every 50 hectares, will be established. Post-harvest infrastructure such as fumigation chamber to process garlic, grading and sorting yard for vegetables, washing machine for carrot and potatoes will be developed.

Besides, six collection vehicles and 5,000 plastic crates at a cost of Rs.92 lakh will also be given to farmers.

“The benefits to farmers will be more. First of all, farmers will harvest three yields in a year instead of two in irrigated and one in rain-fed areas. Production will increase substantially and costs will go down sizably, owing to uniform cropping pattern and common irrigation facilities. Plant protection measures will also become easy for farmers,” said Collector R. Vasuki here.

Government’s contribution will be around Rs.65,000 per hectare and farmer’s contribution of Rs.40,000 will be arranged as loan through cooperative bank. Submission of chitta ‘adangal’ by farmers would suffice to get the loan, she added.

“Farmers will produce crops throughout the year. The ultimate aim is to enhance income of farmers and make it a sustainable one.”

Director of Horticulture R. Chandramohan inspected the project area and interacted with farmers on Friday .Kavunji is located at an altitude of 2,200 metres above the sea level on the upper Kodaikanal hill.

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