Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025-26

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025-26

(இதன் தமிழ் வடிவத்திற்கு இங்கே சொடுக்கவும்)

Introduction

• Tamil Nadu’s 5th exclusive agriculture budget focuses on farmers' income, crop diversification, organic farming, mechanization, and nutrition. 
• Total allocation: ₹45,661 crore (8% increase from ₹42,282 crore in 2024-25). 
• Special focus on SC/ST farmers and modern agricultural techniques. 
• It encourages sustainable farming, mechanization, and nutrition-based initiatives.

Agricultural Growth and Productivity

• Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam highlighted Tamil Nadu’s growth in agricultural productivity.
• Gross cropped area increased from 146.77 lakh acres in 2019-20 to 151 lakh acres in 2023-24.
• Double-cropped area expanded from 29.74 lakh acres to 33.60 lakh acres.
• Tamil Nadu ranks first in ragi production, second in maize, oilseeds, and sugarcane, and third in groundnut and minor millets at the national level.
• Horticulture continues to grow, with 16.3 lakh hectares under cultivation in 2023-24.

Financial Allocations and Support for Farmers

• ₹45,661 crore allocated for agriculture and allied sectors.
• ₹12,500 crore set aside for food subsidy (up from ₹10,500 crore in 2024-25).
• ₹525 crore allocated to incentivize paddy procurement.
• ₹8,186 crore for free electricity connections for farmers (up from ₹6,962.93 crore).
• ₹17,000 crore allocated for cooperative crop loans to support farmers’ credit needs.
• ₹841 crore allocated as state share of the premium subsidy for 35 lakh acres under the crop insurance scheme.

Support for Sugarcane Farmers

• Tamil Nadu introduced a ₹349 per metric ton (MT) incentive over the central government’s Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP).
• The total price per MT of sugarcane is now ₹3,500.
• ₹297 crore allocated to support 1.3 lakh sugarcane farmers.

Agricultural Mechanization and Modernization

• To enhance agricultural efficiency, Tamil Nadu has allocated funds for mechanization and modernization initiatives:
• ₹215.80 crore for the Agricultural Mechanization scheme, benefiting 17,000 farmers.
• 130 custom hiring centers to be established with a ₹10.5 crore subsidy.
• 7,900 power tillers and 6,000 power weeders to be distributed to small and marginal farmers.
• 5,000 agricultural machines and tools to be made available under the Kalaignar All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme.

Subsidies increased:

• Small paddy transplanters: From ₹1.5 lakh to ₹1.7 lakh.
• Power weeders: From ₹63,000 to ₹85,000.

Special Programs and Incentives

Chief Minister’s Farmers’ Welfare Service Centres

• ₹42 crore allocated to set up 1,000 Chief Minister’s Farmers’ Welfare Service Centres.
• Each centre will cost ₹10-20 lakh, with a 30% subsidy (₹3-6 lakh per centre).
• These centres will provide seeds, fertilizers, expert guidance, and modern agricultural techniques.

Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaapom Scheme

• ₹142 crore allocated for 15 key components under this scheme.

Kalaignar All Village Integrated Development Scheme

• To be implemented in 2,335 panchayats with an allocation of ₹269 crore.
• Already implemented in 10,157 villages.

Hill Farmer Development Scheme

• ₹22 crore allocated to support 63,000 hill farmers.
• Financial assistance of ₹22.80 lakh to be provided.

Financial Assistance for Landless Farmers

• Accidental death compensation increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh.
• Natural death compensation increased from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000.
• Funeral assistance increased from ₹2,500 to ₹10,000.

Crop-Specific Initiatives

Small Grains and Alternative Crops

• ₹52 crore allocated for the small grains movement.
• ₹12 crore for alternative crop cultivation projects (₹1 lakh per acre).

Summer Crop Plan

• Objective: Mitigate the impact of high temperatures and low rainfall on agriculture.
• Implementation: Promote less water-intensive crops to ensure fair prices for farmers and affordable prices for consumers.

Crop Coverage:

• Pulses: 71,600 acres.

Oilseeds:

• Groundnut: 74,000 acres.
• Gingelly: 33,300 acres.

Vegetables:

• Tomato, Bhindi, Onion, Brinjal, Chilli, and Greens: 57,300 acres.
• Budget Allocation: ₹10.5 crore.

Promotion of Traditional Vegetable Cultivation

• Objective: Encourage the cultivation and consumption of traditional vegetable varieties.
• Implementation: Special programme to support farmers in growing traditional vegetables.

Varieties Promoted:

• Brinjal (Kathari): Manaparrai Kathari, Sillukodi Kathari, Kulasai Kathari, Periya Kollampatti Kathari.
• Tomato (Thakkali): Tharuvai Thakkali, Manjalkudam Thakkali.
• Lady’s Finger (Vendai): Anaikomban Vendai, Sivappu Vendai.
• Beans (Avarai): Siragu Avarai, Mukkuthi Avarai.

Special Scheme for Spices and Condiments

• Objective: Promote the cultivation of spices and condiments, enhancing traditional agricultural practices.
• Importance: Spices add flavour, enhance taste, and possess medicinal properties.

Target Crops:

• Pepper
• Coriander
• Chillies
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Turmeric

Special Focus:

• Encouragement of Chilli cultivation after the removal of Prosopis trees in Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, and Sivagangai districts.
• Coverage: 2,500 acres for chilli cultivation.

Overall Implementation:

• Total Area: 17,500 acres.
• Beneficiaries: 23,000 farmers.
• Budget Allocation: ₹11.74 crore.

Seed Production and Processing

• ₹250 crore allocated for seed farms.
• ₹15.05 crore for seven State Seed Processing Units.
• 7 government seed purification plants to be set up at ₹15 crore.
• 3,000 metric tonnes of seeds to be purified and procured through the Farmers Producers Association.

Cotton and Maize Cultivation

• ₹12 crore allocated for the Cotton Cultivation Project.
• ₹40.27 crore for maize production enhancement (covering 1.87 lakh acres, benefiting 79,000 farmers).

Horticulture Development

• ₹1 crore allocated to promote rose cultivation.
• ₹18 crore for onion storage warehouses.
• Madurai jasmine cultivation encouraged on 3,000 acres under a special scheme.
• Avocado cultivation to be promoted on 500 acres.
• ₹5 crore allocated to promote jackfruit cultivation.
• ₹1.65 crore for Palm Development Movement.

Organic and Agroforestry Policies

• ₹12 crore allocated for promoting natural farming across 37 districts.
• Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy to be unveiled to encourage high-value tree cultivation.

Nutritional and Sustainable Farming Initiatives

• ₹125 crore allocated for the Nutritious Agriculture Movement.
• Lemon and guava plants to be provided to 9 lakh families at a 75% subsidy.
• Vegetable seed sets to be given to 15 lakh families at a 75% subsidy.
• Fruit plant sets for 9 lakh families at a 75% subsidy.
• 5 mushroom production centers to be set up to promote protein-rich mushroom production.
• ₹2.40 crore allocated to support traditional vegetable cultivation.

Technology, Market Linkages, and Exports

• 5,000 agricultural machinery tools to be provided through the e-renting app.
• ₹17 crore allocated for agricultural machinery rental centers to provide low-cost equipment to farmers.
• 56 regulated sales outlets to be linked with the e-National Agricultural Market.
• ₹10 crore allocated to improve infrastructure at 50 farmers’ markets.
• A new scheme to link farmers’ markets with e-commerce platforms to facilitate direct-to-consumer sales.

Cashew Board and Geographical Indication (GI) Tagging

• Tamil Nadu Cashew Board to be set up with a ₹10 crore allocation.
• Steps to obtain GI tags for 35 agricultural products over the next four years.
• 5 products, including Vedaranyam mullai, Natham tamarind, and Kapalpatti moringa, to be registered.

Dairy and Livestock Support

• Mini Dairy Scheme to support 5,000 milk producers with a 4% interest subvention.

Livelihood Improvement for Rural Women

• Allocation: ₹6 crore.
• Objective: Support 360 poor rural women interested in native poultry farming.
• Subsidy: 50% for setting up native poultry farms.

Enhancing Reproductive Capacity of Cattle

• Allocation: ₹5.62 crore.
• Objective: Improve reproductive capacity of infertile cattle through programmed breeding.
• Coverage: 2,741 veterinary dispensaries in Tamil Nadu.

Providing Chaff Cutters to Farmers

• Allocation: ₹4.83 crore.
• Objective: Reduce fodder wastage, increase digestibility of cattle, and enhance productivity.
• Beneficiaries: Small and marginal farmers.
• Subsidy: 50% for 3,000 power-driven chaff cutters.

Chief Minister’s Scheme of Solar Powered Pumpsets

• Implementation Year: 2025-2026.
• Beneficiaries: 1,000 farmers.
• Objective: Promote renewable energy by installing solar-powered pump sets.

Subsidy Assistance:

• 70% for small, marginal, SC, and ST farmers.
• 60% for other farmers.
• Total Outlay: ₹24 crore.

Promoting Organic Manure Production

• Allocation: ₹3.50 crore.
• Objective: Encourage the production of vermicompost using cow dung.
• Implementation: District livestock farms will produce and distribute vermicompost at a reasonable price.

Overview:

• Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025-26 focuses on farmers' income, sustainable agriculture, mechanization, and support for marginalized communities. 
• Total allocation: ₹45,661 crore (highest so far). 
• Emphasis on crop diversification, innovation, and better market access. 
• Special focus on organic farming, nutrition, and technology adoption. 
• Increased subsidies and incentives for SC/ST farmers and small-scale cultivators.

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