Chennai, October 12 (Daily Kiran) : Chennai is grappling with a significant decline in Kharif rice cultivation, which has fallen by 28%. This drop has forced the state to rely on the upcoming Rabi season to meet its annual food production targets. Key factors contributing to this decline include delays in the opening of the Mettur Dam and reduced water flow in the Cauvery River.
From April to September, the area under rice cultivation was recorded at 1.25 million hectares, a sharp decrease from 1.75 million hectares in the previous year. This reduction of nearly 500,000 hectares highlights the impact of water scarcity on agricultural practices.
The agriculture department is optimistic about increasing sowing activities from October to March to counterbalance the losses. The state has set its food production target for 2026-27 at 12.5 million metric tons, with rice expected to contribute around 7.9 million metric tons.
Forecasts for normal rainfall during the Rabi season have bolstered hopes for economic recovery. The cultivation target for this season is set at 3.03 million hectares, compared to 12.24 million metric tons produced against a target of 13.02 million metric tons in 2025-26. Districts have received contingency plans aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt direct seeding instead of transplanting, a method that requires less water and reduces the risk of crop damage during the northeast monsoon.
There has been a resurgence in Samba cultivation, with officials noting that the next 45 days will be crucial for the season’s progress. They emphasize that the reduction in Kharif cultivation does not indicate an impending grain shortage.
Additionally, Kuruvai cultivation has also seen a significant decline. The area under cultivation across the state has decreased from 505,000 hectares last year to 391,000 hectares this year, reflecting a loss of 114,000 hectares. In delta districts, the area has shrunk from 255,000 hectares to 185,000 hectares.
The economic downturn has impacted agricultural supply and cooperative loans, leading to a backlog of fertilizers and seeds worth ₹300 crore in the state’s 4,400 primary agricultural cooperative societies due to weak demand.
To address this issue, the cooperative marketing federation has expanded fertilizer availability, enabling even non-member farmers to access supplies. This initiative aims to promote farming and reduce stockpiles. Previously, subsidized fertilizers were only available to members who had taken out crop loans.
Meanwhile, a significant drop in loan disbursement by cooperative banks has led the cooperative department to halt the recovery of crop loans. This downturn in lending reflects reduced agricultural activity, while the department relies on the Rabi season to restore operations and meet annual production goals.
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