Updated on Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 10:59 IST

Kumbakonam: The Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute at Aduthurai near Kumbakonam, in collaboration with international research institutes, has developed a laser machine, which can help level agricultural land.

The machine, attached to a tractor, was demonstrated to farmers at Thirupanipettai near here recently.

Speaking to farmers, Institute Director Jabaraj claimed that once the land was levelled, it would stay that way for the next seven years. Water usage from this land would be less than that of uneven land, he said.

Jabaraj said when water stagnates in a particular point on uneven land, crops would be afflicted by disease. By levelling the land, farmers could avoid diseases and get good yields and profits, he said.

The machine has been developed jointly by the Institute, coming under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, with the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines and International Maize and Wheat Improvement centre, Mexico.

The project was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on 'Cereal System Initiative for South Asia (CSISA)'.

Bureau Report