Chennai, Feb 12 (NationPress) Farmers in the Cauvery delta regions of Tamil Nadu are observing a significant reduction in samba paddy yields this season. Nearly a quarter of the cultivated area has already been harvested across three of the four major districts.

Many farmers report that their production levels have decreased compared to last year, largely due to unfavorable weather patterns and issues with water management.

In the Thanjavur district, samba and thaladi crops were cultivated on approximately 1.31 lakh hectares, with over 41,500 hectares harvested thus far. In the adjacent Tiruvarur district, paddy was grown over nearly 1.46 lakh hectares, and harvest has been completed on around 31,200 hectares to date.

Initial field evaluations suggest a noticeable decline in yields in various areas.

Farmers in Tiruvarur's Mangudi, Kottur, Tiruthuraipoondi, and Mannargudi regions have reported lower output per acre compared to the previous season.

Data from the Department indicates a drop in productivity. Last year's average yield was 3,790 kg per hectare, whereas this season's average has decreased to around 3,153 kg per hectare.

In Thanjavur, however, some areas continue to show relatively stable yields, particularly where long-duration paddy varieties were planted.

Farmers choosing traditional long-term varieties have achieved better results, while those opting for medium-duration crops have seen a reduction in output.

Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai districts are also facing challenges with poor harvests. While official evaluations are ongoing, field reports indicate that farmers are harvesting much lower quantities per acre than anticipated.

Agricultural specialists attribute this decline to a mix of climatic and infrastructural issues. The delayed release of water from the Mettur dam to tail-end regions hampered timely land preparation and sowing.

The lack of summer rains before the Kuruvai season further hindered preparatory work, pushing back the planting schedule.

Moreover, unseasonal rain led to waterlogging after the Kuruvai harvest, reducing the sowing window for samba and thaladi crops. Rainfall related to cyclones during early growth stages damaged young plants.

Increased humidity and cold spells have also contributed to the spread of crop diseases and grain discoloration.

Farmers have noted inadequate canal maintenance and insufficient desilting, which impeded effective drainage of excess water, exacerbating field losses.

These combined factors have heightened stress on delta agriculture, raising new concerns about income stability for paddy farmers this year.