Tamil Nadu delta sees mixed kuruvai paddy yields as heat, water shortage hit crop

Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery delta has reported mixed kuruvai paddy yields amid heat and water scarcity. Cultivation declined sharply in several districts after delayed Mettur water release, while officials expect paddy procurement to fall as the cultivated area contracts

Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu): Farmers in the Cauvery delta districts of Tamil Nadu have reported mixed results from the ongoing kuruvai paddy harvest, with fields harvested early recording reasonable yields, while crops harvested later showing a marked decline.

The area under kuruvai cultivation has also fallen sharply in several districts because water was not released from the Mettur reservoir at the start of the season. Prolonged high temperatures and inadequate irrigation have further affected the standing crop.

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In Thanjavur district, kuruvai paddy was cultivated on 64,755 hectares this year, down from 79,800 hectares last year. Harvesting has been completed on around 37,700 hectares, with the average yield estimated at 5,500 kg per hectare, almost matching last year’s level.

Agriculture officials, however, cautioned that the average could decline as crops in several heat-affected fields are yet to be harvested.

Farmers in Tirukkattupalli who completed harvesting in August received about 5,500 kg per hectare. Others reported substantial losses.

A farmer from Manathidal village said his yield fell to 30 bags of 60 kg each per acre, compared with 45 to 50 bags last year. In neighbouring villages, nearly half the farmers secured a satisfactory harvest, while the others reported poor yields.

In Tiruvarur, the cultivated area declined from 77,573 hectares last year to 46,339 hectares. Harvesting has been completed on 25,658 hectares. The average yield stood at 4,468 kg per hectare, higher than last year’s 3,898 kg.

Officials fear heat stress could affect the remaining fields.

Nagapattinam recorded the steepest fall in cultivation, from 30,000 hectares last year to just 1,720 hectares. The average yield also dropped from 4,940 kg to 4,200 kg per hectare.

A farmer in Tirumarugal block said four acres that produced about 170 bags of 62 kg each last year yielded only 47 bags this season.

Mayiladuthurai was the only district to register an increase in kuruvai cultivation, rising from 39,700 hectares to 41,000 hectares.

In Tiruchy, coverage fell from 7,233 hectares to 5,763 hectares. Cultivation was concentrated mainly in Lalgudi, where farmers relied on borewells, while Anthanallur and Manachanallur recorded limited acreage.

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation expect paddy procurement across the delta to decline in line with the significant contraction in the total cultivated area.