Budget for TN agriculture in 2024: Production of pulses and oil seeds gains ground

Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam outlined a few steps to increase the cultivation area and provide farmers with concessions in an effort to boost the output of oil seeds and pulses.

The Pulses Development Scheme, which would cost Rs 40.27 crore and cover 4.75 lakh acres, will be executed in 2024–2025 with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in pulses.

At an estimated cost of Rs 17.50 crore, red gram cultivation would be promoted on 50,000 acres as a solo crop, bund crop, or intercrop during 2024–2025.

The extremely profitable oilseed crops, such groundnut, gingelly, sunflower, soybean, and castor, will become more widely known via cluster demonstration and growing of oilseeds under rice-fallow conditions.

The state government has chosen to acquire GI tags for ten agricultural goods in 2024–2025. These items, which have a combined cost of Rs 30 lakh, are Sathyamangalam Red Banana, Kolli Hills Pepper, Meenambur Seeraga Samba, Ayyampalayam Nettai Thennai, Urigam Puli, Bhuvanagiri Mithi Pagarkai, Sencholam, Tirunelveli senna Leaf, Odaipatti Seedless Grapes, and Gloriosa Superba.

Farmers in Tamil Nadu get a mixed bag when it comes to the agricultural budget.
File Photo: TN Agriculture Budget: Minister announces flagship program to maintain cultivated areas’ soil fertility at a cost of Rs 206 crore