Younger generations should be encouraged to take up farming: Puducherry Lt. Governor

Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan outlines government initiatives for farmers and fishermen in Puducherry, emphasizing agriculture sector revitalization.

Outlining the initiatives of the government towards the welfare of farmers and fishermen community in the Union Territory, Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan on Sunday said there was a need to re-examine the agriculture sector in Puducherry because of the dwindling area under cultivation.

In his Republic Day message, the Lt. Governor said agriculture remained the backbone of Indian economy and about 45% of the population in Puducherry was directly or indirectly engaged in the farming sector. The government was taking several measures to protect the interest of farmers, he said.

However, he said there was a need to re-evaluate the agriculture sector. “Area under cultivation is reducing every year. We need to attract younger generations to the farming sector. We need to move towards advanced agriculture, diversify into a horticulture space, and increase the productivity of crops,” he said.

On the relief measures initiated for Cyclone Fengal-affected farmers in Puducherry, Mr. Kailashnathan said around 13,000 farmers benefited from the government’s decision to provide ₹30,000 per ha as compensation for crop loss. The government has waived off loans to the tune of ₹11.64 crore taken by the farmers from cooperative societies, he added.

Mr. Kailashnathan said Puducherry had a substantial population of fishermen. The 38 marine and 12 inland fishing villages contributed significantly to the economic development of Puducherry, he added.

The expansion of the Thengaithittu fishing harbour and construction of fish landing centres at Periyakalapet and Nallavadu at a cost of ₹92.47 crore are in progress. The Centre has given its approval to develop the harbour at Karaikal into a Smart Fishing Harbour at a cost of ₹119.42 crore, Mr. Kailashnathan said.

The Lt. Governor said around ₹522 crore had been spent in the current financial year for various welfare schemes. Under the Selvamagal Scheme, the government had deposited ₹50,000 in banks in the name of newborn girl children. So far, 1,420 newborn girl children have benefited, and ₹7.10 crore has been spent for the scheme, he said.