TN commits Rs 984-cr to raise farm sector prospects

CM says agriculture production in the state crossed 10 mn tonnes in 2011-12 and it had won the Krishi Karman award for 2012-13

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced schemes worth Rs 984.7 crore aimed at boosting agricultural production in the state besides ensuring fair prices for agri produce in the market. The state expects these projects to help it achieve self-sufficiency in foodgrain.

Chief minister J Jayalalithaa said agriculture production in the state crossed 10 million tonnes in 2011-12 and it had won the Krishi Karman award for 2012-13. The state had given relief to farmers who faced losses of more than 50 per cent (in their cultivation) in 2012-13 due to the failure of monsoon and the reluctance of Karnataka to give water. Works are being undertaken for the effective usage of water during non-rainy season. As a part of this, 700 rain gun and mobile sprinklers be acquired at a cost of Rs 57 crore and provided two each to 350 blocks.

According to her, 12,500 acres of barren lands would be upgraded into farm lands with adequate water facilities and an assistance of Rs 4,000 per acre will be given for cultivation activities in these lands.

As part of its measures towards the achievement of self-sufficiency in agriculture, the state will unveil an agri-sector plan soon. A fast track approach will be adopted to increase food production and Rs 114.20 crore will be allocated for the purpose, she said while making a statement in the Assembly on Monday.

She added that Rs 55.60 crore would be given to provide drip irrigation to 10,000 acres under the scheme Nadavu Thuvarai.

However, in order to boost sugarcane production, a scheme worth Rs 275.23 will be implemented through sugar mills, she said. A special purpose vehicle will be created to ensure that raw materials reach the farmers at right time.

To boost productivity and control migration of rural people from agriculture to other trades, the state would supply farm machines worth Rs 124.70 crore this year. Farmer service centres would be set up at 50 blocks, at a cost of Rs 28.25 crore besides five district horticulture technological base centres. The state has earmarked Rs 186.46 crore to increase horticulture produce and has ensured fair price to the produce through hub-and-spoke model.

It also announced a special commercial complexes for tender coconuts at Coimbatore and for banana at Tirunelveli, approach roads would be laid for 10 regulatory sales centres and new regulatory sales centres would be set up in Theni and Ramanathapuram district.