Cultivation area in Tirunelveli district goes up by 8,373 hectares

The area of cultivation in Tirunelveli district has increased by 8,373 hectares, thanks to the timely release of water from Papanasam and Manimuthar dams and the occasional showers during the southwest monsoon period.

Addressing the farmers’ grievance redress meeting held at the Collectorate on Friday, District Collector R. Sukumar said the district received 40.53 mm rainfall in July this year, which was an increase of 26.40 mm over the average rainfall during this period. However, deficit rainfall had been recorded in August as the district received only 10.40 mm rainfall against the average rainfall of 23.30 mm. ‘

At the same time, the satisfactory storage level in major dams like Manimuthar and Papanasam reservoirs and timely release of water from these dams ensured increase in the area of cultivation during this year.

As paddy and other crops have been raised on 23,176 hectares this year with the water released from the dams, the area of cultivation had increased by 8,373 hectares over the period between January and August. The district administration had so far opened eight paddy direct procurement centres and 596 farmers had sold 2,055.28 tonnes of paddy in the DPCs, he said.

The digitisation of the farmers’ land documents and issue of the unique number were going on. So far, 27,638 details required under Prime Minister’s Kisan Scheme and 12,981 other documents had been uploaded till August 20.

“Since the farmers can get assistances from the Central and the State Governments only based on this unique number, they should upload these details by visiting the nearby e-Seva centres or the Office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture. Moreover, the compilation of electronic data of the crops was going on,” Dr. Sukumar said.

On desilting of irrigation tanks and irrigation channels, the Collector said 53.45 km of irrigation channels and 30.21-km-long distribution channels under the Tamirabharani Basin in the district and 21.80-km-long distribution channels of Radhapuram channel under the Gothaiyar Basin had been desilted. Since permission had been granted for taking silt from 755 ponds, 655 potters had benefited.

On disbursal of crop loan, Dr. Sukumar said 4,303.72 crore had been given through kisan credit cards while 2,240 dairy farmers had received ₹11.32-crore loans.