Samba cultivation expected to cover 4,500 hectares in Karaikal district

Samba paddy cultivation in Karaikal district is expected to cover 4,500 hectares this year, supported by stable rainfall and adequate water availability, according to R. Ganesan, Additional Director of Agriculture.

Mr. Ganesan told The Hindu that the department had 2,500 hectares under samba cultivation and another 2,000 hectares was expected to be brought under the crop shortly. “With good water supply from rivers and favourable monsoon so far, conditions are positive for the samba season,” he said.

A total of 80 tonnes of urea, 100 tonnes of DAP, and 120 tonnes of potash were available in stock for distribution. “Besides the Agriculture Department’s stock, 15 private dealers and four cooperative societies have been licensed to sell fertilizers,” he said.

Farmers had been encouraged to adopt direct sowing wherever possible and the department was in regular touch with cultivators to address field-level requirements promptly.

To promote cultivation, subsidy at the rate of ₹10 a kg was being provided for new paddy seed varieties. So far, about 55 tonnes of seeds had been distributed through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and State Seed Farm. Farmers from Scheduled Castes get up to 75% subsidy. This was in addition to ₹5,000 production incentive extended by the Puducherry government.

The department had identified 10 clusters covering 200 farmers to promote organic farming of traditional rice varieties across 400 to 600 hectares. Certification work for these clusters was under way.

P.G. Somu, joint secretary of the Delta Vivasayigal Sangam (Karaikal chapter), said cultivation was progressing smoothly. “Water availability is good at present, but we are cautious about possible heavy rain in the coming weeks. Farmers in Karaikal largely prefer ADT-46 and BPT (Ponni) varieties,” he said and added that the recent shortage of urea was quickly resolved through departmental supply.