Over 10,000 farmers benefit from drip irrigation in Coimbatore

As many as 10,696 farmers in Coimbatore district have benefited from drip irrigation projects implemented by the Horticulture and Hill Crops Department over the past five years, covering 11,912 hectares at an estimated cost of Rs. 108.31 crore.
District Collector Pawan Kumar G. Giriyappanavar, I.A.S., inspected a drip irrigation system installed in Thithipalayam village under the Thondamuthur block.
The system was set up at a subsidy of Rs. 1,15,337 under the micro-irrigation scheme. Personal Assistant (Agriculture) Anandakumar, Deputy Director of Horticulture Balasubramaniam and other officials accompanied him.
The State Government is promoting micro-irrigation to ensure optimal use of water, expand cultivation with limited resources and enhance productivity.
Under the scheme, small and marginal farmers are provided 100 per cent subsidy, while other farmers receive 75 per cent subsidy.
The benefit is available up to two hectares for small and marginal farmers and up to five hectares for others.
In Thithipalayam, farmer Viswanathan installed drip irrigation for banana cultivation over 1.29 hectares at a cost of Rs. 1,59,178.
During the inspection, he informed the Collector that the system had helped conserve water, reduce weed growth and increase yield.
He also expressed gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Government for implementing the scheme.