- The Government has allocated a sum of Rs.38,904.4606 Crore to the agriculture department for the year 2023-2024.
Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme:
- This scheme is designed for the holistic development of agriculture in the hamlets based on the availability of water and soil fertility, through creation of necessary infrastructure
- In the coming year, this scheme will be implemented in 2,504 village panchayats at an outlay of Rs.230 crore.
Tamil Nadu Millet Mission
- As the United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the “International Year of Millets”, it is proposed to implement Tamil Nadu Millet Mission for a period of five years.
- Under the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission, “Millet Festivals” are to be celebrated in order to create awareness among consumers and increase millet consumption.
- In the coming year, the scheme will be implemented with the financial assistance of the Union and State Governments at an estimated cost of Rs.82 crore.
Promotion of Organic Farming
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- An allocation of Rs.26 crore will be made.
- Government will take special steps to identify feasible tanks and ponds through the officials of water resources and rural development departments and create awareness among farmers to apply tank silt in their fields. Awards will be given to District Collectors who contribute towards completing this task in a timely manner to benefit more farmers.
Nammazhvar Award for Best Organic Farmer
- In the field of Organic Farming, this Government will institute an award in the name of Nammazhvar to be given to the farmers who practice and promote organic farming and hand hold fellow organic farmers. The award will consist of five lakh Rupees in cash and a citation and will be given during the Republic Day.
GRAINS-One Platform-Multiple Benefits
- A new portal called “GRAINS” (Grower Online Registration of Agriculture Input System) will be introduced in Tamil Nadu in which the basic details like bank account, Aadhar number of landowners and cultivators, land details and crop cultivation details will be collected and digitised. This platform will enable the farmers to avail various benefits from a single source (One Stop Solution).
Pulses Development Scheme
- To expand the area and production of pulses in Tamil Nadu, Pulses Development Scheme will be implemented at an outlay of Rs.30 crore with Union and State Government funds in the ensuing year.
Oilseeds Area and Production Development Scheme:
- To increase oilseeds production in Tamil Nadu, Rs.33 crore will be allocated in the ensuing year to increase productivity of sunflower crop and expand the area under profitable crops such as groundnut, sesame and soybean.
Crop Insurance
- The main objective of protecting farmers from natural calamities, the Government of Tamil Nadu has been implementing the crop insurance scheme despite the tight financial situation it presently is in. In the coming year, this scheme will be continued with an allocation of Rs.2,337 crore towards the state share of premium subsidy.
Cultivation of Horticultural Crops on cluster basis
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- Mission for Madurai Jasmine
- Jack Mission
- Chilli Zone
- Curry Leaf Cluster
Moringa Mission
Moringa cultivation will be promoted in 1,000 hectare besides creating processing and
value addition facilities.
Promotion of Micro irrigation
- A total sum of Rs.744 crore will be allocated for implementation of Micro Irrigation Scheme of which sixty percent i.e., Rs.450 crore will be spent to cover 53,400 hectare under micro irrigation
Overseas training for the farmers
- It is programmed to take 150 farmers for this overseas tour to countries like Isreal, Netherland, Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia, Philippines etc., for which a sum of three crore Rupees will be allocated from the Union and State Government funds.
Banana cluster development scheme in Theni district:
- To create a unique identity for banana in Theni district which stands first in banana productivity in Tamil Nadu and make them to reach the global market, a specific cluster development scheme in cost of Rs.130 crore is to be implemented in public-private partnership.
Farm tourism for School Students:
- To inculcate the importance of agriculture among school students by directly witnessing the fields, orchards, plantations, irrigation wells, fruit trees, etc., Farm tourism is proposed to be promoted in association with Education Department for school students who see the fields, orchards, plantations, irrigation wells, fruit trees, etc., only in their books and in the media.
- This scheme will be implemented at an allocation of one crore Rupees.
Palmyra Development Mission:
- To encourage Palmyra cultivation, Palmyra seed nuts will be provided to farmers and NGOs to plant in public places like riverbanks next year.
- Establishment of Palmyra Research Station:
- A separate research station for Palmyra will be established at Killikulam Agricultural College in Thoothukudi district at the cost of Rs.15 crore
Agricultural Mechanization:
- A sum of Rs. 125 crore will be allocated from the Union and State Government funds for the components like agricultural machinery value addition machinery, machinery for sugarcane cultivation and village based Custom Hiring Centres besides digitalizing the selection of beneficiaries.
Skill Development training for Rural youth:
- Skill development training will be imparted to 500 rural youth for Operation, maintenance and handling of tractors and harvesters at a cost of one crore Rupees
Uploading the details of private machinery and mechanics in e-Vaadagai App:
- In order to facilitate the farmers to carry out ploughing operation without any hindrance, block wise, district wise details of private owners of Tractors and mechanics of agricultural machinery as well as pump sets will be uploaded in the e-Vaadagai App with their name, address and mobile number and linked with Uzhavan App.
“One Village Two Power Tillers”
- To promote the use of small type of agricultural machinery, 5,000 Power Tillers will be distributed 2,504 villages at the rate of two Power Tillers per village under the Tamil Nadu Government’s Vision scheme of “Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agriculture Development Programme” with a subsidy of Rs.43 crore
Securing Geographical Indication tag:
- Last year, steps have been taken to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag for ten products including Sholavanthan Betel vine and Panruti Jack fruit.
- Likewise, it is proposed to get Geographical Indication (GI) for another ten products viz., Krishnagiri Arasampatti Coconut, Krishnagiri Panneer Rose, Thanjavur Peravoorani Coconut, Mulanoor Kuttai Moringa, Sattur Cucumber, Thanjavur Veeramangudi Jaggery (Achu vellam), Thoothukudi Vilathikulam Chilli, Cuddalore Kotimulai Brinjal, Madurai Sengarumbu and Sivagangai Karuppukavuni rice at an outlay of Rs.30 lakh in the ensuing year.
Renovation of Uzhavar Sandhais:
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- On an average, 8,000 farmers and three lakh consumers visit Uzhavar Sandhais daily. It is proposed to renovate 25 Uzhavar Sandhais
- At a cost of nine crore Rupees. Further, steps will be taken to secure Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Certificate for 50 Uzhavar Sandhais in the ensuing year at an outlay of Rs.25 lakh.
Traditional Canteens:
- 25 traditional canteens will be established as first phase with private participation for providing the traditional cuisine of Tamil Nadu viz., nutritious Millet porridge, snacks, herbal soups to the consumers to sensitize them on traditional foods.
Expansion of electronic National Agriculture Markets – (e NAM):
- 30 Regulated markets will be integrated under eNAM portal at an outlay of nine crore Rupees.
Strengthening Insect Museum:
- A museum has been created in Coimbatore campus at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, where various types of insects have been collected.
Nano Technology in Agriculture:
- Application of nanotechnology is increased in the field of estimation of the quality of fertilizer, micronutrients, pesticides, crop produce and extending shelf life. Nano-urea has been approved by the Union Government, being disseminated with drone technology.
- Nanotechnology Centre is established at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and research is being carried out to solve the mysterious challenges in agriculture through nanotechnology-based activities and components. Many nanotechnology-based products have been introduced for root growth, drought tolerance, micro-nutrition and increasing shelf life of crop produce.
- Demonstrations will be taken up on nano-technology to farmers through Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ATMA Project, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Corporation.
Cooperative Crop loan:
- During 2023-24, Cooperative crop loan to the tune of Rs.14,000 crore will be given to the farmers.
Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW):
- Millet cafes will be set up one each in every District Collector’s office and in all Mathi – Poomalai complex to promote consumption of millet products produced by SHGs.
Forest Department:
Special committee to review and provide solution for crop damage caused by wild animals:
- Protecting Agricultural crops from Wild animals, a committee will be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)
- Government of Tamil Nadu, under “Green Tamil Nadu Mission” is promoting agro forestry by providing high value tree saplings
Agro based industries in the Cauvery delta zone:
- To set up the Agro Industrial corridor in the Cauvery delta Zone to enhance the income of the farm families and create employment opportunities for the youth.
- A new Regional Startup Hub will be created in Thanjavur by the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission to promote agrotechnological innovations in Cauvery Delta Region. Through this agro industrial corridor, the projects of various sectors related to agriculture will be coordinated and effectively implemented at an outlay of Rs.1000 crore in the next five years.
Defence
INS Androth
- INS Androth, second in a series of eight Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, was launched in Kolkata.
- Their primary role is to conduct antisubmarine operations in coastal waters, low intensity maritime operations and mine laying operations.
- first of the eight indigenously built Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)- Arnala.
Important days
- March 22 – World water day.
- It was first observed in the year 1993.
- The theme for World Water Day 2023 is ‘’Accelerating Change’’
National diary of events
- National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Renewable Energy Ltd (REL) has signed an MoU with INDIAN ARMY for setting up Green Hydrogen Projects in its establishments on Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) model.
- The intent is to reduce complex logistics, and dependence on fossil fuels and to accelerate decarbonization.
