'Rate of success of farm technologies just eight per cent'

COIMBATORE: The steps taken by the government to support dissemination of 420 proven farm technologies in 5,000 locations nationwide has seen a success rate of just eight per cent, according to a top official in the International Water Management Institute, Hyderabad.

The reason as stated by 50 per cent of farmers in India was technology was not appropriate to suit their farms, K Palanisamy, the Institute Director said at a recent three day International Conference here on 'Drip Fertigation in Rice.'

By achieving 20 per cent increase in water use efficiency, 14 million hectares could be brought under irrigation in India, he claimed.

A press release from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University ( TNAU) today said Palanisamy suggested going in for geographical mapping of drip irrigation technology in rice and finding out suitable area for iis affordability and adoption.

There was also a need for convergence of drip fertigated technology with suitable Government interventions to support the right type of farmers in appropriate locales for upscaling innovation in rice, he said.

K Ramasamy, TNAU Vice-Chancellor said the University would do feasibility trials on drip irrigated rice in semi-dry areas like Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.