In a major step to increase the agricultural produce in rainfed lands in Thoothukudi, the district administration has formulated an action plan to construct farm ponds on rainfed agriculture lands across the five blocks in the district through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

The district administration is planning for the construction of 1,000 farm ponds at Ottapidaram, Vilathikulam, Kovilpatti, Kayathar and Pudur. The initiative is expected to help the farmers of the region even during the period of inadequate rainfall and to increase the agricultural productivity in the region.

According to an official from the Agriculture Department, a total of 235 farm ponds - 17 in Kayathar, 32 in Kovilpatti, 36 Ottapidaram, 62 in Pudur and 88 in Vilathikulam - have been constructed so far.

S. Mano Ranjitham, PA (Agri) to the Collector, said the initiative was started during the tenure of the previous Collector, K. Elambahavath due to comparatively lesser yields from a larger extent of rainfed agricultural land. Although farmers were initially hesitant to construct a farm pond, they were taken from every block to Ramanathapuram district through Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) for training and exposure. They were educated about the efficiency of the farm ponds.

A couple of weeks ago, even the district administration had invited applications for the construction of farm ponds in their preferred sizes of 15x15x2 metres, 18x18x2 metres and 20x20x2 metres. The long-term initiative was expected to help the farmers, even during the year when there was inadequate rainfall in the region.

Samsudin, a farmer from Ettayapuram, said he cultivated pulses and grain every year and he was one of the few farmers who had constructed farm ponds through the initiative of the district administration. “Follwing the construction, the ground water table has improved, which, in turn, has reduced the salinity of the soil and and is expected improve the yield in the upcoming season.”

However, he added that the government should provide diesel motors and other equipment for drip irrigation to farmers who have benefitted through the initiative.

During the rabi season, cultivation is being carried out in 1,45,000 hectares of rainfed agriculture lands in the five blocks of the district, depending only on the northeast monsoon of the year. If the rain fails during the critical stage of farming such as germination or flowering stage, the yield would be completely affected. Even for the financial year 2025-2026, farmers from the region are demanding drought relief fund citing inadequate rainfall. To overcome the challenges and to address the changing rainfall patterns, the initiative has been rolled out.

Ramasamy, another farmer from Ramachandirapuram Vilathikulam block, said that construction of a farm pond had recently been completed on his land. It would be beneficial for the farmers in the region, especially with the current rainfall patterns.

He too stressed on the provision of motors and equipment for drip irrigation systems through subsidy rates.

Ms. Ranjitham said the facility could increase the produce in the range of 30% to 40% in maize and shallots, 20% to 30% in black gram and green gram and 10% to 20% in chillies.

She urged the farmers in the region to benefit from the initiative by contacting the agriculture or horticulture departments in their areas.