TN announces steps for agricultural sector growth

In a bid to give a push to agriculture sector in the state, Tamil Nadu government today announced a slew of measures with an allocation of Rs 984.70 crore.
The government would implement 'Sustained Sugarcane Production Scheme' over 50,000 acres at a cost of Rs 275.20 crore, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said, making a suo motu statement in the state assembly.
The state would set up special commercial complexes for tender coconut and banana in Coimbatore and Tirunelveli districts respectively and buildings for sale counters at a cost of Rs 23.60 crore.
The government would spend Rs 186.46 crore to set up infrastructure facilities for horticulture in the state, to collect quality seeds and to sell them in select markets in the state using electronic auctioning under 'Hub and Spoke' model, she said.

Steps would taken for setting up Farmers Service Centres in 50 places and five District Horticulture Technical Support Centres at a cost of Rs 28.25 crore. A sum of Rs 124.70 crore would be earmarked as subsidy for farm equipment this year, Jayalalithaa said.
The government would also allocate Rs 112.49 crore for setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle to source quality equipment in time for farmers involved in horticulture.
A total of Rs 55.60 crore has been allocated for bridging the pigeon pea demand in the state by cultivating the crop in over 50,000 acre. A part of it (10,000 acre) would have drip water irrigation, she said.

The government would also rent 'rain guns' and mobile sprinklers at a subsidised rate for farmers affected with inadequate rainfall, she said.