The Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu, renowned for its extensive cultivation of Samba paddy, is set to benefit from the establishment of 100 Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs). As the fields are being readied and plowing completed, the anticipation of water supply from the Vaiga River adds to the prospects. The crucial sowing period for Samba paddy falls between August and September, occupying approximately 1.3 lakh hectares of agricultural land in the district this year.
The Indian Meteorological Department’s prediction of favorable monsoon conditions adds to the optimism, prompting the district agriculture department to set up the DPCs. Addressing the storage challenges faced last year, the department is currently developing five storage facilities, each capable of accommodating 20,000 metric tons.
Two facilities have already been established, with the remaining three nearing completion. Additionally, 2500 metric tons of Urea have been arranged in both private and government storage facilities. The initiative also extends to the cultivation of traditional paddy varieties across 1000 hectares of land.