Tamil Nadu Government Unveils Hill Farmers Development Initiative in 2025-26 Agriculture Budget
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Synopsis
On March 15, Tamil Nadu's Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam unveiled the Hill Farmers Development Scheme with a funding of Rs 22.80 crore, targeting 63,000 hill farmers. The initiative emphasizes minor millets, vegetables, and provides essential farming support.
Key Takeaways
- Implementation of Hill Farmers Development Scheme with Rs 22.80 crore funding.
- Targeting 63,000 farmers across 20 districts.
- Focus on minor millets, vegetable crops, and farm mechanization.
- Establishment of 1,000 Farmers Service Centres for agricultural support.
- Summer Ploughing Scheme introduced to enhance soil health.
Chennai, March 15 (NationPress) The Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in Tamil Nadu, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, announced on Saturday the launch of the Malaivazh Uzhavar Munnetra Thittam (Hill Farmers Development Scheme) with a financial commitment of Rs 22.80 crore aimed at benefiting 63,000 hill farmers throughout the state.
During the presentation of the Agriculture Budget for 2025-26 in the Assembly, the Minister highlighted that the scheme will prioritize the promotion of minor millets, expansion of vegetable crops, provision of farming inputs, farm mechanisation, value addition, micro-irrigation, and an Integrated Farming System.
Participants will also be provided with Kisan Credit Cards to facilitate their agricultural endeavors.
The initiative will be rolled out in 20 districts, including Tiruvannamalai, The Nilgiris, Salem, Kallakurichi, Namakkal, Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Tirupathur, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Kanniyakumari, Theni, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Erode, Tiruppur, Villupuram, and Coimbatore.
The Tamil Nadu administration has also declared the establishment of 1,000 Chief Minister’s Farmers Service Centres statewide to enhance agricultural support services. These centers will leverage the skills of 4,000 agriculture graduates and 600 diploma holders completing their courses each year. An allocation of Rs 42 crore has been set aside for this effort, which aims to deliver seeds, fertilizers, expert advice on crop productivity, pest and disease management, modern agricultural technologies, and value-addition strategies.
Considering that rainfed agriculture is practiced over 56.41 lakh acres in Tamil Nadu, the government has introduced a Summer Ploughing Scheme to enhance soil health and moisture retention. This initiative will encompass three lakh acres at a cost of Rs 2,000 per hectare, with an overall allocation of Rs 24 crore.
To strengthen the connection between farmers and agricultural experts, the government has initiated the Village Outreach Campaign. This program will see officials from the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, along with allied departments like Animal Husbandry and Co-operation, collaborate with scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) to provide technical guidance and elaborate on government schemes.
This outreach will occur bi-monthly in selected revenue villages, ensuring coverage of all 17,116 revenue villages in Tamil Nadu within a year.
The Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaapom Scheme, focused on soil conservation and sustainable farming, will continue with a budget allocation of Rs 142 crore for the year. Additionally, the Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme will be extended to the remaining 2,338 village panchayats in 2025-26. With an outlay of Rs 269.50 crore, this initiative aims to benefit approximately 9.36 lakh farmers across Tamil Nadu.
Through these substantial allocations and initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, support small and marginal farmers, and foster sustainable farming practices throughout the state.
