Issue an advisory on sowing technique before releasing water, farmers’ association urges govt.

The Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu has sought clear directions to the delta farmers from the State government on the sowing technique to be adopted for samba cultivation in view of the current storage position at the Stanley Reservoir, Mettur.

In a statement on August 28, Committee president P.R. Pandian said that announcing the date for release of water from the Stanley Reservoir for samba cultivation without guiding farmers on the sowing method to be adopted for samba cultivation would be of no use. It would be better to have a tripartite discussion on which type of sowing, either direct or raising of nursery, should be adopted during the ensuing samba/thaladi season before lifting the shutters for irrigation, he said.

Farmers should be advised whether to go for short- or long-term varieties. The availability of paddy seeds should be ascertained before deciding on the number of days and quantum of water to be released from the dam.

The State government should prevail upon the Karnataka government to release the due share of Tamil Nadu in Cauvery water as per the final order of the Supreme Court since all the dams in Karnataka have full storage, Mr. Pandian added.