Part I OF I Tamil Nadu.pmd - National Innovation Foundation

PART I : INNOVATIONS FROM TAMIL NADU
Transplanting method in sugarcane to reduce water
requirement
Many farmers in Sivaganga district during 1980’s opted for sugarcane cultivation as a
private sugar factory was procuring cane on regular contract basis. In the initial years
sugarcane cultivation was profitable but later on farmers realized that the water table
was getting reduced gradually. Water scarcity resulted in reduction in the areas of
irrigation. Bharathidasan then developed a practice, which reduced not only water
requirements but also the labour costs.
In ordinary method of raising sugarcane farmers prepare beds and channels. The beds
are of 11/2’ width raised to a height of 11/2’. The seeds setts are placed horizontally for
germination. Each bed is spaced at every 4 feet and water is allowed to enter each bed
from main irrigation channel. Bharathidasan merges 2 beds so that the width of the bed
increases to more than 4’ (4+11/2’ + 11/2’). The beds are irrigated alternatively. This
practice reduces water consumption by 50%. It also reduces labor cost for weeding and
intercultural operations. It reduces the number of setts from conventional requirements
of 30,000 into 15,000 (single budded setts). The space between the beds (alternatively)
is filled with sugarcane trashes and it serves as good manure after composting in situ.
By this method sugarcane ratoon can be
continued up to eight years as compared to three
to four years in the conventional method. For
placing seeds setts 22 labourers are required in
the conventional system as compared to just four
laborers in the new method. The innovator has
been awarded SRISTI Samman.
Bharathidasan
Sivaganga
TAMIL NADU INNOVATES 49