Aiming at giving a boost to the water-starved farmers in the Cauvery delta, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday announced that the Mettur dam would be opened for irrigation on October 2 and announced a package scheme for cultivating samba crops in these areas.
The release of water from dam from October 2 was “in view of the water level at Mettur and expecting water from reservoirs in Karnataka and in the hope that the northeast rainfall would be normal,” Mr. Palaniswami said in a statement.
He said that the package for samba crops in delta districts, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, and delta areas in Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Karur, Pudukkottai and Tiruchi districts would be at a total cost of ₹41.15 crore.
While a subsidy of ₹500 an acre would be granted to farmers for direct cultivation, a subsidy of ₹10 a kg of certified seeds for farmers would be given.
“I urge farmers in delta districts and other areas to avoid long-term crops and instead go for medium-term and short-term crops,” the Chief Minister said and advised them to insure the crops. A sum of ₹522 crore has been earmarked for this for in 2017-18.
Orders have been issued to agriculture department officers in these areas to ensure smooth supply of seeds, fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and other items. He recalled the special kuruvai package announced in June.