Use of innovative tech yields rich agri dividends in TN

Chennai: Boost to farmers and farming with improved methods and innovative technologies have paid good dividends for the agriculture sector in Tamil Nadu.

According to official figures, the state has been able to reverse the negative growth rate in agriculture during 2012-2013. Tamil Nadu clocked an impressive growth of 7.93 per cent in the primary sector during the financial year 2013-14 with a record harvest of food grains of about 103 lakh tonnes.

The State’s overall growth rate (gross state domestic product) for the year was 6.13 per cent with ‘services’ growing at 8.26 per cent and industry registering a lower rate of 1.61 per cent. Compared to the country’s overall growth rate, the State has done better scoring 1.2 percentage points higher.

Giving the breakup of foodgrains production in the State, sources say rice accounted for 61.92 lakh tonnes; millet – 37.77 lakh tonnes, and pulses – 3.69 lakh tonnes.

During 2012-13, the total foodgrains production was just 56.05 lakh tonnes, of which rice contributed 40.5 lakh tonnes. The rice production figure, accomplished last year, is marginally higher than what was achieved (101.52 lakh tonnes) during 2011-2012. The opening of Mettur Dam on June 6, 2011 for the first time in the annals of history against June 12, helped in bringing an additional delta paddy area of 1,80,000 acres benefitting around 1,22,230 farmers. Officials say that to reduce the burden of the farmers, 4 per ent VAT exemption on agricultural inputs and farm machinery benefitted about 63.40 lakh farmers. To ensure uninterrupted supply of fertilisers esp. DAP & other fertilisers interest free advance of Rs.579.94 crore was extended to TANFED.

Apart from an increased budget outlay for agriculture for the past 4 years which stood at Rs.17,041.83 crore, special efforts were made to promote micro irrigation, with 100 per cent subsidy to small and marginal farmers and provision of 75 per cent subsidy to other farmers. Nearly 1,33,353 farmers benefited as Rs.725.68 crore subsidy was extended. To help the small and marginal farmers, the government removed ceiling limit of one acre to avail the subsidy for micro irrigation. The sugarcane farmers were given Rs.2,650/- per MT as State Advised price for sugarcane. In the last three years, 710.40 lakh MT of sugarcane was crushed and Rs. 15,004.04 crore was disbursed to the farmers, sources added.

Under National Horticulture Mission, Centre of Excellence for Hilly vegetables at State Horticulture Farm, Nanjanad, Ooty District and Centre of Excellence for Fruit in Tiruchi District will be established at a financial outlay of Rs.9 crore.

The government also paid special attention in implementing National Watershed Development Project scheme in 18 districts. An amount of Rs.24.06 crore was spent for treating 40,100 ha. Water resource development works such as 502 farm ponds, 780 percolation ponds and 315 check dams were carried out and this has also helped in registering growth in agriculture, sources add.