In Tiruchy district, the horticulture department has helped to set up as many as 27 ponds by offering 50 per cent subsidy under the National Horticulture Mission scheme, in which both the central and state governments provide financial assistance.

Deputy Director of Horticulture R Krishnamurthy told DT Next that the patronage for the initiative is good as more number of farmers have evinced interest. “We managed to establish 27 such ponds in 2017-18 and in the coming year, the number may be increased based on the requirement.” Farm ponds have been established at Thuraiyur, Uppiliapuram, Thottiyam and Musiri taluks. 

S Durai, a farmer from Magilampadi near Lalgudi, who has established one such pond, said, “Since there is no rain and the ground water level also depleting, we stopped cultivation for over three years. But now, I am planning to grow vegetables, lemon and flowers with help of sprinkler irrigation making use of the farm ponds,” Durai said. 

Horticulture crops have been cultivated in an area of 27,000 ha in Tiruchy district and the government was keen on promoting various schemes to increase the area of coverage, Krishnamurthy added.