MADURAI: Following the release of water from the Vaigai dam for the irrigation of kuruvai (short-term) paddy crop on June 2, the cultivable area is likely to exceed 10,000 hectares against the set target of 2,500 hectares this year. The kuruvai cultivation extended to 9,700 hectares last year.
Kuruvai paddy cultivation is carried out in Alanganallur, Vadipatti, Madurai East and Madurai West Blocks. The actual Kuruvai area is 18,210 hectares in these four blocks, which was steadily shrinking during the last 15 years as the water for irrigation was never released on time, due to lack of storage.
But the climatic condition was favourable last year and the water was released on time. Encouraged by the availability of water, farmers exceeded the usual kuruvai area and cultivated 9,700 hectares. “No one has to dictate if a farmer sees water available in the tanks, he would take out cultivation,” said R Arulpragasam, a farmer community leader from the district. “Intermittent rains reduce the water need further, so more water is at disposal for the community to cover more area,” he added.
Since the water was released on time this year, the district agricultural department is anticipating that the cultivable area would exceed 10,000 hectares. “We have stocked agricultural inputs for an estimated 10,000 hectares,” joint director of agriculture Vivekanandan said.
As on June 13, Madurai district has 1,812 metric tonnes of urea, 888 metric tonnes of DAP (diammonium phosphate), 732 metric tonnes of MOP (muriate of potash), 3164 metric tonnes of NPKS (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and 696 metric tonnes of SSP (single super phosphate). The fertilizers are available with wholesalers and retailers. Another 632 metric tonnes of fertilizers are in transit and would reach the dealers. The fertilizers could be procured from primary agricultural cooperative societies and private retailers, said officials.
