Cowpea scheme to benefit over 1,000 farmers in dist

Coimbatore: More than 1,000 farmers in the district are expected to benefit from cowpea cultivation scheme that is aimed at increasing pulse production and promoting climate-resilient farming practices.District agriculture joint director M Tamilselvi said the Rs22.3 lakh scheme has been sanctioned for Coimbatore to encourage cultivation of cowpea, a short-duration pulse crop that requires comparatively less water and offers high nutritional value. She said the crop requires only around 350mm of water and contains high levels of protein and fibre, making it suitable both for human consumption and as fodder for livestock. The crop could also be cultivated in two seasons. According to Tamilselvi, Coimbatore receives an average annual rainfall of 611mm, of which around 135mm is recorded in summer. The district is expected to receive nearly 88mm rainfall in May this year. Moderate rainfall has already been reported in areas such as Mettupalayam, Annur, Madukkarai, Kinathukadavu, Periyanaickenpalayam and Sulur. The scheme is being implemented across 12 blocks in the district with four major components. Under the first component, farmers producing Vamban-3 and Vamban-4 cowpea seed varieties released within the last eight years and supplying them to agricultural extension centres will receive an incentive of Rs 30 per kg. A sum of Rs 3 lakh has been allocated for this initiative. Under the seed distribution component, farmers purchasing ‘vamban-3' and ‘vamban-4' seeds from agricultural extension centres for cultivation would receive a subsidy of Rs60 per kg. An allocation of Rs6 lakh has been made for this purpose. The department would also provide three-phase training programmes to 30 selected farmers at a cost of Rs2.7 lakh. In addition, block-level demonstration plots would be established with an assistance of Rs10,000 per hectare. Farmers would receive seeds, bio-fertilizers, pulse micronutrients, biological pesticides and trichoderma viride. Soil testing has been made mandatory for participation in the demonstration programme. A sum of Rs10 lakh has been earmarked for this component. More than 1,000 farmers are expected to benefit from the scheme, which is implemented under the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. The scheme has been implemented with the aim of increasing pulse production and cultivation through improved seed varieties that are climate-resilient and capable of delivering higher yields within a short duration. Tamilselvi urged farmers to approach their respective block assistant directors of agriculture and register to avail the benefits under the scheme.