THANJAVUR
In a land where traditional agricultural practices are hard to give up, minimal water availability for irrigation has paved the way for several enterprising farmers to install micro irrigation systems which they say have helped them save water and increase productivity across varied crops. The governmental support for the installation of micro irrigation systems has come in handy for the pioneering players in Thanjavur district.
“When I decided to go in for maize and chillies instead of the regular sugarcane this year, without hesitation I approached the Agriculture Department officials for support to install drip irrigation for my fields. That was because I had seen the benefits of drip irrigation for my sugarcane field the previous two seasons. Though sugarcane did not fetch me the assured returns, the drip irrigation system is still helping me as I have raised irrigated hybrid maize there,’’ points out a farmer S. Elangovan of Kurungulam village in Thanjavur district.
Similar is the experience of some other farmers in his village where the Arignar Anna Cooperative Sugar Mills is located. The mill’s fortunes have waned a bit now but officials and cane suppliers are confident that once the plant modernisation is completed and power co-generation plant becomes operational, there will be a definite revival for the factory.
These farmers have installed micro irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, rain gun and sprinkler system for crops such as groundnut, sugarcane as well. Some beneficiaries aver that drip irrigation in hybrid maize has reduced water consumption by at least 50% while productivity last year was up by 30 to 40 % depending on accompanying factors.
“Drip irrigation in groundnut has yielded fantastic results for me,” says G. Sivamurugan of Thanjavur. “Seeing the benefits of micro irrigation, I opted for it. Now with the groundwater table in my area sinking further and lack of water flow in the Grand Anicut Canal remaining unsure, only the micro irrigation system installed in my fields saved the day for me,” he adds.
There has been an increasing realisation among farmers that the traditional way of irrigation in the delta region has become almost a luxury in the current days and there are constantly probing means to address the irrigation requirements. The subsidies being extended by the Central and State governments for installing micro irrigation systems have been added attractions for them, explains Joint Director of Agriculture A. Mathialagan.
A sum of ₹12.42 crore has been allocated to Thanjavur district for the current year to implement drip irrigation systems for sugarcane, coconut and oil palm, install rain guns and sprinklers for pulses and oilseeds, to cover 4,131 hectares.
Last year, a sum of ₹9.40 crore was spent on installing micro irrigation systems on 3,319 hectares.