Tamil Nadu tops in maize, oilseed yield

Significantly, the state crop production average was far higher than the national average excepting in total pulses where though it has raised its position from 21st to 14th its yield was 500 kg/hectare (ha) compared to the national average of 764 kg/ha. 

According to officials, while 21.99 lakh ha land was put to non-agricultural use, a whopping 4. 89 lakh ha remained as barren and non-cultivable land in the state. Delta farmers are also worried over the impact of lack of flow in the Cauvery on the planned rice cultivation in over 93 lakh metric tonnes (MT) for 2016-17.  

According to officials, “The state planned for 45 lakh MT millets and 9.80 lakh MT pulses in addition to 15.76 lakh MT oilseeds, 6.09 lakh bales of cotton and 350 lakh MT of cane”. 

To ensure additional acreage under various crops, the government undertook measures like “cultivating 12,628 acres fallow lands benefitting 9133 farmers in Villipuram and Tiruvanamalai districts,” said officials. Ensuring better spacing and uniform plant population to overcome labour shortage, officials said that Rs.92.45 crore was spent to promote improved technologies in 3.32 lakh acres. 

While 6.69 lakh hectares (ha) was irrigated by 2,239 canals, 41,127 tanks irrigated another 3.68 lakh Ha while 18.62 lakh wells irrigated 16.85 lakh ha, it was said. Officials also said “land holding in the state at 0.80 Ha was 44% lesser than the national average of 1.15 ha.” 

Farmers who have cultivated black gram during the “Chithirai” (mid-April to mid-May) say they fear heavy loss from the steep fall in the procurement price, and want the government to fix the price. 

A number of farmers switched from sowing gingelly to black gram as a summer crop, since the pulse was bought from farmers at Rs 130 a kg. However, abundant cultivation has brought down the price by half, at Rs 65 a kg. 

According to agriculture department officials, black gram has been raised in over 3.36 lakh acres in Thanjavur, on 2.80 lakh acres in Thiruvarur, on 1.80 lakh acres in Nagapattinam and on 3000 acres in Tiruchy.