Thoothukudi District Collector Vishu Mahajan has announced a scheme for the construction of farm ponds at rainfed agricultural regions in the district, funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.Thoothukudi district administration has been implementing an initiative to construct farm ponds at agricultural lands in regions such as Kovilpatti, Kayathar, Ottapidaram, Vilathikulam and Pudur, with the support of CSR funding. In these regions 1,45,000 hectares of land are being cultivated with maize, cotton, black gram, onion and other horticultural crops.Despite the larger area under cultivation, agricultural productivity in these areas is low due to changes in monsoon rainfall. To help these farmers and to increase the production, farm ponds are being constructed to collect the rainwater during the monsoon season.Based on farmers’ requirements, small and large ponds in the size 15x15x2 metres, 18x18x2 metres and 20x20x2 metres will be constructed depending on the characteristics of the soil. The rainwater that otherwise flows away during the rainy season is collected in these ponds and will be used during essential water needs of crops such as germination, flowering and others thereby ensuring higher yields.So far the facility has been implemented on agricultural lands of 215 farmers from the five regions.Farmers who are interested in setting up this facility can contact 96299 14199, following that site will be inspected directly and necessary steps will be taken to construct farm ponds. Published - June 12, 2026 09:42 pm IST