TN agricultural budget 2024: Automated processes can help alleviate the labor need
The state government on Tuesday announced several schemes for the mechanization of agriculture operations, including custom hiring centers for the underprivileged, strengthening the hiring scheme of the agricultural engineering department, a subsidy scheme for small and marginal farmers to purchase agricultural machinery, and initiatives to popularize agricultural machinery, as part of its efforts to support farmers struggling with a shortage of farm laborers.
agricultural Minister MRK Panneerselvam said, “During the year 2024-2025, Rs 170 crore will be allocated under the Agricultural Mechanization Programme to benefit 26,179 farmers,” when presenting the state Assembly with the agricultural budget.
He claimed that district-level melas would serve as a means of providing farmers with instruction on the use and upkeep of different agricultural machines. For the benefit of farmers and field authorities, technical instructions for upkeep and operation will also be written and distributed.
The statement states that 207 Agricultural Machinery Custom Hiring Centers with a total subsidy sum of Rs 32.90 crore would be constructed in 2024–2025. At an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh, a “Private Agricultural Machinery Custom Hiring Mobile App” would be built to establish a connection between the owners of private agricultural equipment and farmers. In 2024–2025, farmers will get 4,000 power tillers and 4,000 power weeders in addition to the gear that has previously been provided.
Farmers in Tamilnadu find the agricultural budget to be a mixed bag when it comes to their midday meals. Farm laborers eating in a rice field in Tirunelveli
Ten thousand farmers will get remote motor operators for electric pump sets in order to solve issues like snake bites while the pumps are operating at night or during the rainy season. The goal of this programme, which offers a 50% subsidy up to a maximum of Rs 7,000, is to make it easier for farmers to control and monitor electric pump sets from any location without having to physically visit the wells in their fields, according to the minister.
At a cost of Rs 28.82 crore, 20 multi-axle carrier vehicles will be purchased to transport 85 bulldozers; 25 blocks of agricultural machinery sheds will be built; 10 track-type paddy combine harvesters will be purchased; and 10 carrier vehicles will be purchased to transport the track-type paddy combine harvesters.
Extra 10% of the subsidy
An extra 10% subsidy will be given in addition to the current 50% subsidy, making the total subsidy of 60%, to address the difficulties faced by small and marginal farmers as a result of the lack of agricultural laborers. Small and marginal farmers will be able to use this subsidy to acquire and use agricultural gear, such as a paddy transplanter.
In Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, farm laborers are enjoying their midday lunches in a rice field. Agriculture Budget: A flagship programme to maintain the soil fertility of cultivated fields is announced by the minister, at a cost of Rs 206 crore.
