Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam on Tuesday presented the exclusive Agriculture Budget for 2024-25 in the legislative assembly and said this budget will lead the farmers on a growth trajectory.
During his budget presentation, he said, “To facilitate the easy access of quality agricultural produce and value-added products, to urban consumers, 100 Uzhavar Angadis will be established along the lines of Uzhavar Sandhais at an outlay of Rs. 5 crore from the State fund. Agricultural produce, adhering to specified quality norms, will be directly procured from farmers, 23 graded, packed, branded, and sold through Uzhavar Angadis.”
To enhance soil health and productivity, research on soil microbiome engineering will be undertaken to develop and evaluate microbial consortia for the decomposition of organic matter, including crop residues, to increase soil carbon and convert unavailable nutrients into available forms. An allocation of Rs.1.39 crore will be made for this.
Special climate-smart villages will be developed, demonstrating climate change mitigation technologies to farmers and stakeholders, besides spreading awareness. A budget allocation of Rs.1.48 crore will be made for this initiative.
Rs.3.35 crore for integrated cashew development scheme Rs.30 lakh for encouraging cultivation of dates\ Rs.5 crore for encouraging cultivation of Senganthal, Marundhu Koorkan, Avuri Chenna, Nityakalyani Rs.2 crore for cultivating traditional varieties of vegetables and to produce seeds.
Rs.2.70 crore for encouraging areas-specific horticulture crops Rs.3.64 crore for arid land development with horticulture crops Rs.773.23 crore for increasing productivity through micro irrigation scheme. Rs.27.48 crore for cultivating mango varieties suitable for exports and Rs.12.73 crore for cultivating banana varieties suitable for exports. Rs.1.14 crore for encouraging new varieties of jackfruit cultivation Rs.10 crore for International Horticulture Farm Equipment Expo
Rs.2.70 crore for encouraging areas-specific horticulture crops Rs.3.64 crore for arid land development with horticulture crops Rs.773.23 crore for increasing productivity through micro irrigation scheme.
Dhoor shall cultivation is to be taken up in 50,000 acres at a cost of Rs.17.50 crore; Rs.45 crore for extending oil seed cultivation Rs.20.43 crore for sugarcane cultivation Rs.12.40 crore for increasing the efficiency of sugar mills
Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme: During 2024-2025, this scheme will be implemented in 2,482 selected village panchayats at an outlay of Rs.200 crore.