Date:02/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/02/stories/2009010251040300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Sprinkler irrigation system helps farmers grow crops for two seasons

Karthik Madhavan

PHOTO: M.GOVARTHAN

Innovation: Sathyamangalam Forest Division has helped members of Gethesal Village Forest Committee to set up sprinkler irrigation systems that will enable them to cultivate for two seasons a year. —

SATHYAMANGALAM: Farmers in Gethesal in Hassanur panchayat in Thalavady hills left their lands fallow for most part of the year, after cultivating ragi.

The lands remained uncultivated for over six months a year because no water was available.The ragi cultivation was during rains. Now the situation has changed.

Vegetables

The farmers’ lands are under beans, cabbage, carrot, beetroot and a few other vegetables, thanks to the support from the District Forest Office, Sathyamangalam.

The Forest Department has provided Rs. 95,000 for purchase of a generator set for powering motor and also money for bore wells and motors and sprinklers, with which the farmers have started irrigating their fields.

“As a pilot project, we have provided money to irrigate about 12 of the 150-odd acres in the village,” says District Forest Officer S. Ramasubramaniam.

Borewells

The Department provided the generator under the Nilgris Biosphere Reserve Fund and borewells under the Village Forest Committee Fund.Three bore wells have been dug and water from them is irrigating the fields.

Head of the Village Forest Committee P. Jadayappan says the farmers are cultivating vegetables which will provide them more money.After harvesting the crops, the farmers hope to sell the vegetables either in Mettupalayam market or Sathyamangalam market.

They have a vehicle being used for transport, which again the Department funded.The farmers also chipped in with some money to buy the vehicle and have obtained a loan from the neighbouring branch of Bank of India.

Mr. Jadayappan says that when they are not using the van, they rent it out and therefore earn more money.The villagers, who are members of the Village Forest Committee, also earn money by selling minor forest produce.

Forest Officer Mr. Ramasubramaniam says three or four crops during the dry season will help farmers come out of poverty and lead a decent life.