TAMIL NADU

AGRICULTURE
BUDGET
2022-23
 TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURE BUDGET 2022 - 23
INTRODUCTION:

 Tamil Nadu became the third state, after Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh, to have a separate agricultural budget.

 For the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, an
exclusive budget for agriculture was presented by the Tamil Nadu
Minister for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare MRK Pannerselvam
14-08-2021

 The tradition of having an exclusive Budget for agriculture was started

by Karnataka in 2011-12 followed by Andhra Pradesh in 2013-14.

 Agriculture is not just crop culture, but also animal husbandry, bee
culture, aquaculture, forestry and (podu) hill cultivation and
horticulture.

 What prompted the Tamil Nadu government to opt for a separate Budget
is the high rate of indebted agriculture households, which is 83 per
cent, third only to Andhra Pradesh (93 per cent) and Telangana (89 per
cent). (Agricultural Statistics 2020)

WHY AGRICULTURE IS SO IMPORTANT?

 Three revolutions are considered to be very significant in the human

evolution. They are Cognitive Revolution, Agricultural Revolution
and Scientific Revolution.

 Agricultural Revolution has transformed the human beings from

hunter-gatherers around ten thousand years ago and made them
civilized and cultured by bringing them to farm land for cultivation.

 Once he learnt to produce his own food, he further had time to think.
Then, various arts came; rhetoric poems crawled; Palaces were built; the
concept of Family strengthened; Administrative set up got established.

 Human life developed at a faster pace. Hence, there are no two different
opinions that agriculture led the human life from uncertainty to safe and
peaceful life.

 The word “Velaanmai (Agriculture)” itself owns a long history. The poet
Tholkappiar quoted the ancient word “Agriculture” on three occasions.

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

  The “Agriculture” means “Assistance”.

 Even in Sangam Literature, the word “Agriculture” is used to indicate

“Assistance”

 Thiruvalluvar also used the word “Agriculture” on four places with

the same meaning of “Assistance”.

 Thiruvalluvar has elucidated a separate chapter “Uzhavu” for what we

now spell as “Agriculture”.

 Farmers alone have the tendency to help the downtrodden people to

provide with food, a basic need for human life, directly and clothing and
shelter indirectly.

 Hence, we may say that “Velaanmai” (Agriculture) which had dealt with
“Assistance” had become as a phrase to indicate “Uzhavu” during the
course of time.

 Though the human civilization has developed multifold and sky-high as

of now, we cannot live without food.

 The esteemed farmers have a legacy in converting the soil into

Amuthasurabhi (அமுதசுரபி) to feed the increasing population.

 With a noble view to elevate them and feel complacent, this exclusive
Agriculture Budget is presented.

Challenges in Agriculture:

 There are more challenges viz., decrease in cropped area due to

conversion of agricultural lands into real estate, depletion in soil
nutrition, declining of water resources due to over-exploitation;
reluctance among youngsters to take up farming, deprivation of
remunerative price for agricultural produce, enhanced cost of cultivation,
post-harvest loss, etc.

 Farmers are shouldering these hard challenges in agriculture like “Atlas”.

Tamil Nadu agriculture and farmers welfare minister MRK

Paneerselvam presented the TAMIL NADU agriculture budget for 2022-23
on 19th March 2022
 This will be the second agriculture budget being submitted by the DMK
government.

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

  Tamil Nadu finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan neither offered the
state’s people any new goodies nor burdened them with new taxes in the
budget he presented on Friday with the thrust on fiscal prudence.

 Thiruvalluvar eulogized agriculture as the greatest profession by saying

"They live, the plough for life who steer; All others worship in the rear".

 The Tamil Literature Kondrai Vendhan praised agriculture to be ‘The

Wealth garnered through tillage has the greatest regard’ (மேழிச்செல்வம்
ம ோழழப்படோது) and Aathisoodi persuaded people to “Cultivate Crops”
(‘செற்பயிர் விழழ’).

 Likewise, there are many citations found in ancient Tamil Literature on

Agriculture and Irrigation Management.

 The ancient Tamils had classified their lands as Kurinji, Mullai,

Marutham, Neithal and Paalai based on the crops cultivated and
organized their lifestyles, accordingly.

 Kalaignar’s

 All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme

 Chief Minister's Dry land Development Mission

 Organic Development Scheme

 Scheme for making youth into Agri-Entrepreneur

 Rural Youth Agricultural Skill Development Mission

All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme:

Objectives of the Scheme:

 Bringing fallow lands into cultivation in villages.

 Augmenting water resources

 Installation of solar powered pump sets.

 Marketing of value-added agricultural produces

 Adoption of micro-irrigation system

 Increasing milk production by safeguarding the health of livestock

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

  Issuance of new patta / transfer of patta by the Revenue Department

 Providing crop loans in large scale through Co-operative Societies

 De-silting of canals and water irrigation channels

Nel Jeyaraman Traditional Paddy Varieties Conservation Mission:

 “விழதசயோன்று மபோட சுழரசயோன்று முழைக்குேோ” is a rural Tamil proverb

 Tamil literature “பள்ளு” (Pallu) explains about the life style of farmers
in a dramatic way.

 In “முக்கூடற்பள்ளு” (Mukkudarpallu), names of different paddy

varieties can be seen.

 Some of them are Muthu Samba, Poonjali, Poombalai, Vellai samba,

Maruvallisamba, Neelasamba, Villondrisamba, Kadukkansamba,
Kadhalivazhai, Chitrakali, Manal vari, Senchamba and Seeraka
samba.

 Similarly in the literature called “செங்ம ோட்டுப்பள்ளு” (Senkottupallu),

the names of 32 samba paddy varieties had been indicated.

 Traditional Paddy Varieties are being cultivated in an area of 200 acre in

Government State Seed Farms through “Nel Jeyaraman Traditional
Paddy Varieties Conservation Mission” and so far 59 MT of seeds
have been produced.

Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission: As per the quote "பன்னல்மவலி

இப்பழை நல்ஊமர" in புறநோனூறு (Puranaanooru), Sangam poets praised the
villages that were surrounded by Cotton fields.

 Shakespeare, in his works compares governance to that of

maintaining a garden. The former American President Thomas
Jefferson hailed agriculture as, 'It is our wisest pursuit, because it will
in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness’.

 For the first time in seven years, Tamil Nadu registered a dip in its
revenue deficit – by more than Rs 7,000 crore.

 The fiscal deficit has been contained at 3.8% from 4.3% estimated earlier
and well within the 4.5% recommended by the 15th Union Finance
Commission.

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

  The state will also set a side Rs 22,487 crore as assistance to Tangedco
as subsidies towards agriculture and domestic consumers and taking
over 100% of its losses.

 The area of agriculture has increased to 53.50 lakh acres in 2021-2022.

 The steps have been taken to ensure the uninterrupted supply of

fertilisers to the farmers at the subsidised price.

 The steps are being taken to mitigate the negative impact on the
agriculture caused by the global warming, says the minister.

 The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 400 crore to boost organic
farming in the state.

 The traditional paddy varieties will be given to 20,000 farmers at a

subsidised price.

 The state government has allocated Rs 40 crore to encourage the

cultivation of alternative crops like millets, oilseeds, etc.

 Tamil Nadu government will implement skill development scheme on

agriculture to train 2,500 youth.

 Rs 12 crore has been allocated to encourage tree plantation. Millet

special zones will be established.

 Two Millets Special Zones would be formed in the State to enhance

millet production.

 Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Kallakurichi, Villupuram, Cuddalore,

Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Vellore districts will be under one zone.
Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram,
Sivagangai, Theni, Tiruchi, Karur, Dindigul, Ariyalur and Perambalur will
be under the second zone

 The United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the
“International Year of Millets”

 "Millet Festivals" will be organized at the State and District levels.

Pulses Development Scheme:

 In order to achieve self sufficiency in Pulses production, Red gram

production and cultivation of Pulses in fallow lands, a Special Redgram
Zone will be formed comprising Krishnagri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

 and Salem districts. Steps will be taken for processing, value addition
and marketing the harvested pulses.

 200 youth will get Rs 1 lakh to start agro-based business.

 The area of sunflower cultivation will be increased to bring down the cost
of cooking oil.

 Rs 25 crore will be allotted to enhance the cultivation of oilseeds like

groundnut, sesame

 Farmers who excel in agriculture will be given award by the government.

 Soil testing centre will be established at the cost of Rs 75 lakh at

Mayiladuthurai.

 Special zone for tur dal cultivation will be set up in Salem and
Krishnagiri districts.

 The defunct cooperative NPKR Ramasamy Coop sugar mills at

Mayiladuthurai will be reopened.

 The state government will distribute 10 lakh palm seeds to increase the
number of the state tree – palmyra.

 The production of jaggery will be encouraged to benefit the sugarcane

farmers.

 Food parks will come up at Tindivanam, Theni and Manapparai in

Trichy district.

Digital Agriculture:

 Uzhavan Mobile Application:

 All the technologies will be communicated electronically to the farmers

from sowing to harvest and marketing of the produce field-wise for
getting higher income.

 The seven Agro-climatic zones are divided into 1330 Micro Agro-climatic
zones to formulate new profitable crop plan to farmers based on factors
of production.

 Artificial Intelligence Technology will be applied to monitor the Pest

and Disease infestation in crops and instantaneous management
measures will be delivered to farmers through SMS advisories in co-

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

 ordination with Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency and Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University.

 In co-ordination with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and Tamil Nadu

Drone Corporation, farmers will be imparted with training and
demonstration in seven Farmers Training Centers (FTC) for the usage of
drones in pesticide spray and survey of crop growth stages.

 The new digital Technology “Internet of Things” (IoT) will be adopted in

State Seed Farms and State Horticultural Farms for automated irrigation
and fertigation, for offering training to farmers on this new technology.

Tamil Mann Valam Portal:

 Perarignar Anna proclaimed “உழவனின் உள்ைத்திமே புயல்

இருக்குேோனோல், வயலிமே வைம் ோை முடியோது” To fulfill the vision of
Perarignar Anna to enlighten the souls of farmers, an exclusive portal
called “Tamil Mann Valam” will be launched in co-ordination with the
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in which the farmers can get the soil
fertility status of their lands - survey number wise and they can print the
soil health cards by themselves.

 Recommendations based on soil fertility will be prescribed for cultivation

of Agricultural, Horticultural crops and Agro-forestry trees.

 Remote Sensing technology will be used to assess cropped area and

yield, through which we can forecast the price by Agricultural Marketing
Intelligence Cell for helping the farmers to get fair price for their
produces.

Transparency in scheme implementation:

 To ensure transparency in the selection of beneficiary under various

schemes implemented by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Department, efforts will be taken to register all beneficiaries gradually.

 Facilities will be made for online advance booking of seeds, planting

materials, fruit plants and coconut seedlings, so that planting is
taken up in the right cropping season itself.

 The Agricultural labourers can register their details such as District,

Block, Village directly in the Mobile Application. This application will
serve as a platform to provide employment to skilled Agricultural
labourers and also serve the farmers to undertake agricultural

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

 activities at appropriate time.

Cashless Transaction in Agricultural Extension Centres:

 The Farmers will be provided with facilities for paying the farmer
contribution through e-Challan, Credit Card, Debit Card, Unified
Payments Interface (UPI) etc., at Agricultural Extension Centres for the
purchase of agricultural inputs.

 This cashless transaction will be adopted on pilot basis in one block in

each District.

Department of Sugar:

 Through the verse, “ ரும்போட்டிக் ட்டி ெிறு ோழேக் ச ோண்டோர்” Naladiyar

narrates that the ancient Tamils knew the technique of making sugar by
crushing sugarcane.

 Sugarcane tastes good when chewed or processed into sugar.

 It is sweet news to the farming community that the Department of Sugar

which was under the control of Industries Department has been brought
under Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department

Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Mission

 “Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Mission” will be implemented by

Department of Horticulture on a cluster based approach with two
clusters in each district with a cluster size of 50 ha.

Improving livelihood of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe farmers through

micro irrigation:

 The farmers belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who

have applied for electricity connection under tatkal scheme

 Under the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Development Corporation

(TAHDCO) will be identified and given subsidy for Borewells, Motor Pump
and installation of Micro irrigation for improving the livelihood of
farmers.

Daily Income through loose flower cultivation

 Tamil Nadu stands second in production and first in area at

National level in loose flowers.

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

  In order to increase the daily income of women, the cultivation of flower
crops like Jasmine, Tuberose, Marigold, Rose and Chrysanthemum will
be increased

Focus on cultivation of Ginger and Turmeric

 “இஞ்ெி ேஞ்ெள் ழபங் றி பிறவும் பல்மவறு தோரசேோடு ல்ே த்து ஈண்டி”

mentions Maduraikanchi.

 The growing demand for Turmeric and Ginger in national and

international markets, the farmers cultivating these crops will be
encouraged by providing back ended subsidy for ploughing, seed
rhizomes and other inputs.

Special focus on Garlic cultivation:

 Cultivation of Garlic with medicinal value will be expanded to Kalrayan

hills, Kolli Hills and other potential places.

Revival of Traditional Varieties in Horticulture Crops:

 The traditional varieties of fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants once

cultivated in Tamil Nadu have now been under extinction.

 The seed is the weapon as said by Nammazhvaar, a ‘Gene Pool’ will be

established to preserve these traditional varieties of horticultural crops at
State Horticultural Farms.

Establishment of Garden in Government Girls Hostel:

 To help girl students to identify fruits, vegetable and herbal plants, their
importance

 Cultivation methods and its nutritional value, gardens will be established

with Fruits, Vegetables and Medicinal plants in Girls Hostels all over
Tamil Nadu.

Palmyrah Development Mission:

 The ancient Tamil Naladiyar indicates that the palm tree will grow and
bear fruit even if left unattended after sowing.

 The Palm tree which is the State tree of Tamil Nadu is entwined with
the lives and language of the Tamil People.

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

 Sangam literature has notified this. Palm leaves were the ancient
literary tool of Tamil language.

 There is a reference to Palmyra in “போைித வோைி ன் சநடுேேன்” (Panitha

Vanikan Nedumalan) appearing in an inscription on Alagar hill.

 “கூந்தல் பழன” (Koondhal Panai) is one of the Palmyra species and also
called as “தோைிப்பழன” (Thalipanai) or “விெிோிப்பழன” (Visirippanai).

 It is cultivated in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka mostly in coastal areas.

 The leaves are soft and pale and used for writing.

 Al-Biruni, a writer, mentioned in his travel script about usage of

palmyra leaves by ancient Tamilians for making manu scripts and
copies.

 In those times, a person called “ஓழே நோய ம்” (Olai Nayagam) was in
service under the Government administration.

 The palmyra leaves were also called as “ேடல்” (Madal).

 There are 5 crore palm trees in Tamil Nadu. The livelihood of about 3
lakh families depends on palmyrah trees by weaving baskets, mats and
ropes with palm leaves and fibre.

 11,000 Palm based workers rely on palm trees by harvesting and selling
of Nungu and Neera. To promote palmyrah cultivation, State Government
has introduced Palmyrah Development Mission in the last year
Agriculture Budget.

 To strengthen the mission, Honourable Speaker of Tamil Nadu has

voluntarily contributed one lakh palmyrah seeds at free of cost to the
scheme implementation.

 The scheme will be implemented at a financial outlay of Rs.2.65 crore

under State Government fund.

 The best inventor of palmyrah climbing device will be honoured with an

award.

 Under MGNREGS, 25 lakh palm seedlings will be planted during 2022-

23.

10

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

Irrigated Agriculture Modernization:

 “வோன்நின்று உே ம் வழங் ி வருதேோல்தோன்

அேிழ்தம் என்றுைரற் போற்று”

 As stated by Tiruvalluvar, Farm Ponds are constructed at the lowest

point in the farmer’s field to harvest rain water.

 Under World Bank aided Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization

Project, 373 Farm Ponds will be created at an outlay of Rs.3.73 crore
with 100 percent subsidy in the sub basins selected by Water Resources
Department.

 To help the farmers to get additional income, assistance will be provided

for growing fruits and tree crops in the bunds of the farm ponds.

 Besides, steps will be taken up to take up fish culture in coordination

with the Fisheries Department to increase the farmers’ income.

Agricultural Marketing & Agri-Business:

 Farmers would rejoice when the crops cultivated through their sweat and
blood are processed and marketed successfully.

 Hence, the Tamils have aptly said “ழத பிறந்தோல் வழி பிறக்கும்”

 Agriculture is complete only when the farmers realize fair price for their
produce by integrating the activities like Crop cultivation, processing
without any loss and marketing at right time.

 Agricultural Marketing is similar to “Serving a bowl of sweet Pongal in

Golden Plate”.

 Hence, this department plays a significant role not only in crop

production but also in value addition and marketing the farmers’
produce.

 With this prime objective, various activities are being undertaken by this
Department.

Uzhavar Sandhai - Renovation and Establishment:

 Uzhavar Sandhai (Farmers' Market) is a pioneering scheme in which

farmers can sell their fruits and vegetables directly to consumers without
any intermediaries.

11

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

  It is an elite mechanism to prevent middlemen to exploit farmers.

 180 Uzhavar sandhais are functioning in Tamil Nadu and steps are being
taken by the officials of the Department of Agricultural Marketing and
Horticulture to increase farmers’ arrivals in Uzhavar Sandhais and to
advise farmers on the cultivation practices of Fruits and vegetables

 Shops will be allotted to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) for sale of

value-added products and vegetables and to the Department of
Horticulture to sell horticultural inputs such as seeds, bio-fertilizers,
vegetable seeds and seedlings, fruit seedlings in 50 Uzhavar Sandhais,
based on the requirement.

 In addition to the sale of Fruits and Vegetables, Uzhavar Sandhais will

also act as the center for the dissemination of Agriculture technologies to
farmers and awareness programmes/ trainings will be conducted every
fortnight to benefit the farmers of Uzhavar Sandhais.

Animal Husbandry:

 Draught bulls, milch cows, manure bearing goats, cash earning sheep
and poultries are the wealth of farmers which support during drought
season as they are huge assets.

 Livestock are of great importance in this context where organic

agriculture is beginning to take root again amidst the people.

 Farmers’ incomes can increase only if they try to rear fish in farm ponds,
rear goats and cows along with backyard poultries.

 Various schemes are being implemented for raising the income levels of
the farmers.

 They will be converged with Kalaignarin All Village Integrated

Agricultural Development Programme.

Integrated Fodder Development Mission:

 Shortage of Fodder is the main reason for low productivity of cattle.

 The shortage of green fodder in the State is estimated at 240 Lakh MTs.

 Considering this, Integrated Fodder Development Mission will be

implemented

12

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

Fisheries – Fishermen Welfare:

 The fishermen contribute to foreign exchange and also pave way for
“Protein Revolution”.

 Tamil Nadu which has so far been concentrating on brackish Water

aquaculture will concentrate on fresh water fish culture also.

 Adequate action will be taken to undertake fish culture in farm ponds to

facilitate organic recycling and thereby contribute to increased farmer’s
income.

Establishment of designated Mega Food Parks through SIPCOT:

 The three Food Parks registered by SIPCOT for establishing in an extent

of 451 acres at Theni, Tindivanam (VIllupuram), Manapparai
(Tiruchirapalli) Taluks have been declared as Mega Food Parks by Union
Government due to the efforts taken by the State Government.

 During 2022-23, adequate infrastructure will be established in these

three Food Parks at an estimated cost of Rs 381.38 crore to benefit the
farmers in the districts surrounding the Food Parks, through SIPCOT

Revenue and Disaster Management Department:

 Various welfare schemes are being implemented by the Revenue and

Disaster Management Department for the benefit of farmers.

 In order expedite the issue of certificate to small and marginal farmers to

avail the benefits under Micro Irrigation scheme, special camps will be
conducted in all villages during 2022-23.

 In addition, monthly Old Age pension of Rs.1000/- is being disbursed

under the Chief Minister's ‘Uzhavar Padukappu Thittam’.

 Under this scheme, 1,46,97,000 persons have been enrolled and getting
benefited.

 To implement the PMKISAN programme, the data required for

Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare are being provided by
the Revenue and Disaster Management Department through the Tamil
Nilam interface.

13

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]

 In order to make e-Adangal system fully operational, efforts will be
taken for voluntarily linking of Aadhar number by land holders with their
land details.

14

For any Queries Mail to: [email protected]