Encouraged by recent rains and financial assistance extended by Agriculture Department, the cultivation of ‘tree-borne oilseeds’ at ‘large commercial levels’ is taking its ‘roots’ for the first time in the district.
Blocks
Pungam and neem are the main varieties of the ‘tree-borne oil seeds’ preferred by the farmers with the sowing being done in select eight out of the total 13 blocks in the district.
The eight blocks are Avinashi, Dharapuram, Madathukulam, Mulanur, Gudimangalam, Kangayam, Udumalpet and Vellakoil.
Agriculture officials pointed out that farmers, who have large holdings, could take up these crops allocating a portion of the cultivable land, for ensured returns even when rains were less. More importantly, inter-cropping is also possible with other crops like pulses, thereby increasing the unit value multifold.
“It is a good sign that the farmers have realised the potential of the long-term returns which the crops can offer, subsequent to the awareness campaigns by the department. Farmers are extended back-ended subsidies not only for the main crops but also for promotion of inter-cropping”, said Joint Director of Agriculture Mohamed Iqbal.
M. Velusamy , a progressive farmer from Vellakoil block, has this to say on why he was among those who took the decision to diversify into neem for the first time after been traditionally cultivating coconut and vegetables.
“I realised the resurgence in market potential of the value added products that could be made from crops like neem and pungam, which include organic medical items, soaps and lamp oil, after listening to the awareness crusades. So, took a decision to allocate nearly three acres out of the 25-acre farmland of mine for the cultivation of neem”, he told The Hindu.