‘It is not easy to penetrate new agricultural technologies with farmers’
Drip irrigation, which is regarded as one of the most
efficient methods of irrigation, has made an inroad in different parts
of Karur district, which comprises many arid regions.
When
the drip irrigation was introduced about 10 years ago in the district
not many farmers came forward to endorse the method mainly because of
lack of knowledge and awareness. However, the field as well as official
reports suggest that more and more farmers had come forward to install
drip irrigation system in their fields basically to tide over the crisis
of water shortage.
It is said that there were hardly any drip irrigation systems in Karur district till 2006.
It
was only in 2007-08 financial year, the farmers shown interest to adopt
the scientific technique, which is one of the proven techniques to save
water, particularly in dry regions. Fifty seven progressive farmers
chose to install the system on 128 hectares in 2007-2008 as against the
target of bringing 300 hectares under the National Mission of Micro
Irrigation.
The target was doubled next year, which
saw the implementation of drip irrigation on 320 hectares of land thanks
to the interest shown by 212 farmers. Although the target remained
unchanged in 2009-10, 492 hectares of land were brought under the
system. In 2010-11, 633 farmers introduced the drip irrigation on 721
hectares of land.
As per the latest figure of the
Department of Horticulture, drip irrigation has been introduced in 3,230
hectares up to March 2014 since 2006 as against the total target of
5797. A sum to the tune of Rs.13 crore has been spent against the total
allotment of Rs.16.40 crore.
“The achievement is
remarkable. It is not easy to penetrate new agricultural technologies
with farmers. Initially we found it difficult to find progressive
farmers. Now, several farmers continue to approach the officials for
installing drip irrigation in their fields,” says A. Natarajan,
Horticultural Officer, Karur.
The drip irrigation
had penetrated in all blocks including Aravakuruchi, Paramathi,
Krishnarayapuram, Thogamalai and Kulithalai. There were reasons to
believe that the penetration would take a new drive in the years to
come.
“When I came to know the successful
implementation of the system in some areas, I visited there and studied
the performance. It has forced to introduce drip irrigation in my
fields. I hope, it will not only preserve water but reduce expenditure
on irrigating my fields,” says Dr. V. Sivaramakrishnan, a part time
farmer, who has brought about 3.5 acres under the drip irrigation at
Sevvayan village near Kulithalai.
