As the PWD has not desilted any lake or pond in recent times, the demand for alluvial soil, which has required nutrients and allows good water retention in paddy, has increased With the harvest currently in progress, farmers in the Ranipet district are still ignorant of the proper procedure to get alluvial soil for their farms for the next paddy season.
“The procedure till two years ago was that we apply to the local VAO, who would then verify the farmers’ bona fides regarding land, the need for alluvial soil, and then pass on the information to revenue department superiors. The revenue officials would then identify an irrigation tank/pond from where farmers can take alluvial soil,” said R Subash youth wing chief of Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam.
However, as the PWD has not desilted any lake or pond in recent times, “the demand for alluvial soil, which has required nutrients and allows good water retention in paddy, has increased,” said Damodaran of Panapakkam.
A senior agriculture department official in Ranipet said that he was newly posted in the region only two months ago. “But I am not aware of any change in the procedure to get alluvial soil,” he said.