Chennai, Aug 26 (IANS) – Buoyed by a strong kuruvai season, farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery Delta have begun preparations for samba paddy cultivation, optimistic that steady reservoir inflows and widespread rainfall will sustain another bumper yield.
The Mettur Dam’s timely water release on June 12 allowed kuruvai sowing to proceed smoothly. According to agriculture department data, kuruvai was cultivated on 5.66 lakh acres, exceeding the target of 5.32 lakh acres. Adequate storage in the Mettur reservoir and an active southwest monsoon have further boosted farmers’ confidence.
While samba has traditionally been the main focus for delta farmers, many now alternate between kuruvai and thalady based on water availability and finances. Officials said this year’s increased kuruvai acreage may slightly reduce samba coverage, but thalady cultivation could see higher acreage after the current season.
For samba, the government has set targets of 3.07 lakh acres in Thanjavur, 3.46 lakh in Tiruvarur, 1.67 lakh in Mayiladuthurai, 1.56 lakh in Nagapattinam, and 1.35 lakh in Tiruchy. Farmers have already begun ploughing, preparing nurseries, and transplanting seedlings in several areas.
Agricultural expert P. Kalaivanan expressed confidence that the 120 TMC of water required for samba would be available from current storage and ongoing rainfall. He stressed that completing sowing by September would help farmers avoid potential losses from the northeast monsoon, which would also supplement water needs.
The Mettur reservoir has remained full for five consecutive days; notably, in its 91-year history, it has reached full capacity 51 times.
Farm leaders, however, have urged the state government to announce a special samba package similar to the kuruvai scheme. AKR Ravichandar, president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, demanded a full subsidy for paddy seeds and a 50% subsidy for fertilisers. Farmers have also complained of being forced to purchase nano fertilisers along with DAP and called for strict monitoring of private firms.
With brimming reservoirs, timely rains, and calls for government support, expectations are high across the delta that samba cultivation will ensure another prosperous season.
