more-in In stark contrast to the drought-like conditions that prevailed last year, Perambalur district now presents a picture of verdant fields as agricultural activity has been brisk over the past few months thanks to good and timely monsoon rain. The district is a major producer of maize, cotton and small onions and most farmers have taken to these crops this year too. In fact, the area under cotton cultivation has witnessed a sharp increase this year. “We are happy that there has been good rain and inflow to tanks in the district. Normally, about 1.20 lakh hectares is covered under various crops in the district. This year, we are confident of achieving that figure,” says R. Sudarshan, Joint Director of Agriculture. This was a far cry from the past few years when the district had witnessed drought like conditions due to poor rainfall. The Arumbavur tank, one of the major tanks in the district, was nearing its full storage level. The tank irrigates about 2,000 acres. The Kurumbalur and Varagupadi tanks were also getting good inflows, according to reports reaching here. Poor rainfall had left this and many other tanks dry over the past few years, leaving farmers in distress. Maize has been raised on about 41,998 hectares (ha) so far against the normal average of 45,000 ha. Cotton has been raised on about 33,492 ha so far against the normal area of 28,500 ha. Small onions, despite price fluctuations remains a popular option for farmers in the district and the crop has been raised on about 5,993 ha so far against the normal average of 6,850 ha, Mr. Sudarshan said. Farmers in places where the water table is good have raised samba paddy tapping water from open wells or borewells. Samba paddy has been raised on about 6,185 ha in the district so far and nurseries were available to cover another 3,000 ha. “The transplantation will be fully completed within the next few days and the normal area will be covered,” said Mr. Sudarshan. Cholam, cumbu, varagu, blackgram, redgram and groundnut are some of the other crops raised in the district.

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