The Fifth exclusive agriculture budget was presented in Tamil Nadu.
In five years, the total budgetary outlay for agriculture and allied sectors has gone up from Rs.34,221 crore in 2021-22 to Rs.45,661 crore in 2025-26.
The total gross cropped area has increased from 146.77 lakh acres in 2019-20 to 151 lakh acres in 2023-24.
The double-crop areas in the state have risen from 29.74 lakh acres in 2019-20 to 33.60 lakh acres in 2023-24.
Tamil Nadu has also secured the first position in the country in ragi productivity, the second position in maize, oilseeds and sugarcane productivity, and third position in groundnut and minor millets productivity.
A key highlight of the budget is the establishment of 1,000 Chief Minister’s Farmers Service Centres.
The Tamil Nadu Millet Mission has been allocated Rs 55.44 crore to encourage millet production.
Tamil Nadu Oil Seed Mission would be implemented at a cost of ₹108.06 crore to achieve self-sufficiency.
The Alternative Crop Cultivation Scheme aims to convert one lakh acres from the paddy and sugarcane to millets, pulses, and oilseeds, with an allocation of Rs 12.50 crore.
A special incentive of Rs 215 per Metric Tonne of Sugarcane will be provided over and above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed by the Union Government.
Additionally, Rs 160 crore has been allocated for mechanised paddy cultivation in both delta and non-delta districts.
Rs 15 lakh has been allocated to secure GI tags for five additional products. - Nallur Varagu (Cuddalore), Vedaranyam Mullai (Nagapattinam), Natham Puli (Dindigul), Ayakudi Koyya (Dindigul), and Kappalpatti Karumbu Murungai (Dindigul).
The budget announced Rs 2 crore allocation for an international study tour for 100 progressive farmers to Japan, China, and Vietnam “to help farmers learn the latest technologies and implement the same in their field.”
Tamil Nadu Cashew Board to be set up at an outlay of ₹10 crore to support cashew farmers and rural workers.
Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy to be unveiled to encourage the cultivation of high-value trees and streamline timber regulations.
₹24 crore allocated for providing Solar Pump sets to 1,000 farmers, with up to 70 per cent subsidy.
The Malaivazh Uzhavar Munnetra Thittam (Hill Farmers Development Scheme) will be implemented for the welfare of 63,000 hill farmers.