Exceeding the allotted quantum of fertilizers to Tuticorin district, over 2,000 tonnes have been supplied in excess, so far this month. To help the farming community, Collector M. Ravikumar took all out efforts to ensure supply of farm inputs. Moreover, adequate stock of fertilizers had been maintained.
Expecting a good rainfall during the Northeast monsoon, farmers had sown crops in rainfed areas in several blocks in the district. Around 70 to 80 percent of sowing had already been done. The district was allotted a total of 1,500 tonnes of urea, 650 tonnes of Di-Ammonium phosphate (DAP), 600 tonnes of Muriate of potash (MoP) and 1,050 tonnes of complex fertilizers for October. But to meet the growing demands of farmers, 1, 204 tonnes of urea through private dealers and 412 tonnes of urea through Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Societies (PACCS) had been supplied to farmers, Joint Director of Agriculture, V. Jeyakumar told The Hindu here on Tuesday. As for DAP, 1,796 tonnes had been consigned through private dealers and 932 tonnes through PACCS. These fertilizers were supplied through a total of 152 PACCS and 162 private dealers across the district. Besides, 344 tonnes of MoP and 1,067 tonnes of complex fertilizers had also been provided to farmers.
Further, he said 1,300 more tonnes of urea allotted for Tuticorin district would reach Tirunelveli railway station through wagons on Wednesday.
On cultivation of rainfed crops, a target of covering 1.66 lakh hectares has been fixed for 2015-16. During the last year, 1.63 lakh hectares were covered surpassing the target of 1.52 lakh hectares and this year also the target was expected to be crossed, the Joint Director exuded confidence.
Mostly, millets including maize and pearl millet (cumbu) would be cultivated on 87,000 ha and pulses such as black gram and green gram on 79,000 ha in blocks of Pudur, Vilathikulam, Kovilpatti, Ottapidaram, Kayathar and Karungulam.
Besides, cotton is expected to be raised on 1000 ha. Unexpected rains ahead of monsoon helped raise pulses and maize at Vilathikulam, Pudur, Kovilpatti and Kayathar. To enhance productivity in pulses, DAP spray is available under subsidy and farmers could avail it once the pulses crop attained flowering stage after a period of 30 or 35 days. Under the scheme, 17,450 ha had been earmarked and a subsidy of Rs. 650 could be availed per hectare, he said.

Source : The Hindu