District to popularise SRI

Erode,Nov25 (PTI) At least 25000 hectares is to be brought under the system of rice intensification method in Erode district this year. A sum of rs 45 lakh subsidy is to be given to farmers for the purpose under National Agriculture Development Programme, District Collector V K Shanmugham told reporters here yesterday. In Erode district this year paddy would be raised over 40,000 hectares and of this 62 per cent would be covered by the SRI method,he said during his visit to some paddy cultivable lands in Gobichettipalayam and Sathyamangalam taluks. He said under the SI method, farmers may get increased yield and also cultivation cost will decrease by 30 percent. The Collector said last year 2.21 lakh tonnes of paddy had been produced in Erode district, at an average of 6.9 tonnes of paddy per hectare. Under the SRI method, farmers may get nine tonnes of paddy per hectare in their lands. He said mulberry cultivation had been taken up over 4605 hectares and 2412 farmers were involved in cocoon production. Last year 1341 tonnes of cocoon worth Rs 26.80 crore were produced. The Collector said in Erode district 2.06 lakh hectares is under cultivation of various crops. Of this 1.10 lakh hectares is having irrigational facilities and 90,000 hectares under rainfed area. He said this year turmeric has been raised over ten thousand hectares which is about 30 per cent higher than last year. Sugarcane has been raised over thirty thousand hectares, six thousand hectares under banana cultivation and vegetables and flowers over 1800 hectares and 1100 hectares respectively.