Additional 3.48 lakh hectares under irrigation, says M.R.K. Panneerselvam

Tamil Nadu's agriculture budget boosts irrigation by 3.48 lakh hectares, providing new electricity connections and incentives for farmers.

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam told the Assembly on Tuesday that the Micro Irrigation Scheme, the Watershed Development Programme, the provision of free electricity connections to farmers, and the timely opening of the Mettur dam had helped bring an additional 3.48 lakh hectares under irrigation in Tamil Nadu.

Presenting the Interim Agriculture Budget, he said two lakh new free electricity connections had been provided to farmers over the past five years. The government has also sanctioned ₹33,904 crore towards meeting the cost of providing free power to 23.86 lakh agricultural service connections.

“In the last five years, 186 lakh tonnes of paddy have been procured, and ₹2,118 crore has been provided as incentive. Compared to 2020-21, the paddy procurement incentive has been increased by 123% for Grade A and 162% for the common variety,” he said.

Mr. Panneerselvam said the government had constructed 253 modern paddy storage godowns with a capacity of 4 lakh tonnes over the past five years at an estimated cost of ₹331 crore. In addition, 130 modern storage facilities with a capacity of 3.30 lakh tonnes are being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹495 crore, with the aim of ensuring that not a single grain of paddy is wasted during floods.

He said schemes such as the Fruit Crops Promotion Programme, Jackfruit Mission, Moringa Mission, Chilli Zone, Onion Cultivation Mission, Curry Leaf Cluster, Area Expansion of Special Horticultural Crops, and the Mukkani Development Scheme had contributed to an increase in the area under vegetables, fruits, and other cash crops.

The cultivation of tomato, bhindi, brinjal, and moringa has expanded by 1 lakh hectares. Mango, jackfruit, banana, guava, and papaya have been cultivated in an area of 36,555 hectares, with a subsidy of ₹72.47 crore, benefiting 48,580 farmers.