Agriculture Technology: Technology Comes in Handy for Madurai Farmers

Collector L. Subramanian said that using technology, farmers in the district are now getting SMS in their mobile phones on information about wind direction, soil temperature, humidity and expected rainfall from all-weather stations.

A tour for media persons on 16th December for an on-the-spot visit of various works under way and facilities provided for the farmers, organised by Officials of the Department of Agriculture, Agri-Engineering and Horticulture.

While talking to reporters, the Collector said that the all-weather stations, which functioned in 13 blocks in the district, would disseminate information to registered farmers, who could learn about the different parameters of weather and accordingly carry on their farm activities. For instance, a farmer who had planned harvest after a week, could advance it based on weather parameters.

The officials had formed a new oorani (tank) at Attapatti Under the watershed activity, which could store rainwater and also enable recharging of groundwater table in the locality.

In a bid to give a fillip to horticulture crops, close to 18.5 lakh seedlings of mango, guava and sapotta were distributed to the farmers in the district, says Dr. Subramanian, praising the horticulture department officials. He hoped “This is expected to bring in higher production in the ensuing harvest season.”