Jaya Gives Kuruvai Booster Shot

As Mettur dam can’t be opened on June 12 due to inadequate storage, CM announces host of steps for farmers

CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday announced special measures for ensuring Kuruvai cultivation to the maximum extent possible in delta areas despite less storage in Mettur dam, which cannot be opened for irrigation purposes on June 12. 

Apart from supplying three phase power for 12 hours as was done during the past two years, Jayalalithaa has announced measures worth `32.95 crore for the benefit of farmers.

These include supply of HDPE pipes, bio-fertilisers and micro-nutrients free of cost to farmers.

The decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at the Secretariat.

In a statement here, the Chief Minister said when the Mettur dam has sufficient storage, Kuruvai cultivation would be taken up in 3.5 lakh acres. Cultivation would start in one lakh acres where groundwater resources are available. 

At present, the storage at Mettur dam stood at just 41.28 feet against its full capacity of 120 feet.

As per the final verdict of the Cauvery Tribunal, Karnataka has to release 10.16 tmcft of water during the month of June. “Even if we get this water, the storage at Mettur dam will be 51.28 tmcft which is insufficient for Kuruvai cultivation and hence the dam cannot be opened for irrigation on June 12,” she pointed out.

Though there was a shortfall of 19 per cent rainfall during the last year, by applying  modern techniques in cultivation and through timely supply of seeds, fertilisers and nutrients, it is estimated that Tamil Nadu would record the highest ever yield of 103.38 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains, the Chief Minister said. 

This year the State has received 174.2 mm rain against the regular quantum of 161.8 mm. To help the farmers transport water to paddy fields, 90mm HDPE pipes would be supplied to 7,000 farmers on 100 per cent subsidy. Each pipe will be 600 metres long.

Further, bio-fertilisers and liquified bio-fertilisers would be provided at 50,000 acres of land on 100 per cent subsidy. Similarly, gypsum would be given to 60,000 acres on 100 per cent subsidy. Besides, high-yielding inputs like micro-nutrients and zinc sulphate would be given to one lakh acres each on 100 per cent subsidy. 

Arrangements would be made to set up social nurseries to supply paddy saplings on time. Steps would be taken to provide 200 paddy planting machines to farmers’ clusters in delta areas at 100 per cent subsidy.  Considering the shortage of workforce, weeding machines would be given to 200 farmers’ clusters at 100 per cent subsidy. 

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