Small and marginal farmers in Tamil Nadu have been asked to apply for certificates through online so as to avail the benefits of a subsidized drip irrigation scheme started to help them in achieving profitable cultivation.
Collector Dinesh Ponraj Oliver, in a press release, urged farmers cultivating crops on less than 2.50 acres of land to apply for a small/ marginal farmer certificate, which would allow them to receive a 100 percent subsidy to install drip and sprinkler systems under the Central government-sponsored Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), a scheme designed to help small and marginal farmers.
According to reports, the Agriculture Department tested the approach in paddy production at select fields with filter point irrigation facilities in Tiruvarur and Cuddalore districts in 2018-19 on a trial basis.
The pilot experiment yielded favorable results, including a 50 percent increase in total harvest per acre, a 30 percent increase in water efficiency, the prevention of nutrient leaching, a 40 percent reduction in labor costs for weeding operations, and a 30 percent reduction in electricity use.
In the following year 2019-20, the Department promoted the concept in 15 paddy-growing districts (other than delta districts): Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Erode, Kancheepuram, Karur, Namakkal, Pudukottai, Salem, Tirunelveli, Theni, Tiruvallur, Tiruchi, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, and Villupuram.
The department is planning to implement the drip irrigation concept in the fields of revenue villages with filter point irrigation facilities in delta districts this year, after the scheme's implementation in 15 districts yielded similar positive results, such as efficient water use resulting in higher yield.
Small/marginal farmers were asked to apply for the certificate online right away in order to earn a 100 percent subsidy, and to pick up the certificate at special camps scheduled for September 7 at all taluk offices.
