Madurai, June 18: As June progresses, the Kuruvai rice cultivation season has commenced, but farmers in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, are grappling with uncertainty. This year, the primary concern is the insufficient water supply from the Vaigai and Mullaperiyar dams.
Officials from the agriculture department have identified approximately 45,000 acres in the Sholavandan, Vadipatti, and Kallandhiri blocks for Kuruvai rice farming. However, despite the sowing period starting earlier this month, farmers have yet to initiate large-scale planting due to irrigation concerns.
Kuruvai, a short-duration rice crop sown between June and September, heavily relies on timely water releases from major reservoirs. Farmers express that the current water levels in the Vaigai and Mullaperiyar dams do not inspire confidence for starting their cultivation.
Farmer leader Kurunji Kumaran stated, “Kuruvai farming typically begins in June and lasts until September. Although nearly three weeks of the season have passed, farmers have not commenced planting due to uncertainty about adequate water for irrigation.”
He noted that many farmers are hesitant to invest in land preparation, seeds, and other essentials without clarity on water availability throughout the crop duration. This delay has heightened concerns within the farming communities, as prolonged waiting could reduce the planting window and impact overall yields. Many farmers are monitoring dam water levels and rainfall patterns before making a final decision on whether to cultivate rice this season.
Meanwhile, officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) indicated that conditions could improve if rainfall continues in the catchment areas supplying the Vaigai dam. According to WRD data, the water level in the Vaigai dam rose from 21.29 feet on June 1 to 28.08 feet by June 17, following consistent rainfall in the catchment area. Officials remain hopeful that ongoing rainfall in the coming weeks could further increase water levels and enhance irrigation prospects.
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