Persistent demands from the public and the people’s representatives of Kongu region have yielded results as Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has ordered for the preparation of feasibility reports for Anaimalayar and Nallar water schemes, said Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development S.P. Velumani here on Friday.
Inaugurating Agri Intex – 2018, the four-day agricultural fair organised by Codissia in association with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex, the Minister said that the government was taking pro-active steps to improve groundwater recharge by various means, including desilting of water bodies under the Kudimaramathu scheme. He also listed out the schemes to be implemented by the government including Athikadavu-Avinashi irrigation scheme. Mr. Velumani said that an official meeting was convened in Chennai on Thursday to discuss about the Metro Rail project for Coimbatore.
Releasing the fair directory, Agriculture Minister R. Duraikkannu said that the government has allocated ₹100.42 crore for establishing 2,000 Farmers Producers Groups (FPGs) in 2018-2019. During the last financial year, as many as 988 FPGs were established.
To achieve maximum yield by using minimum water through drip irrigation and other modern methods, ₹982.18-crore has been allocated and it was being implemented in full pace, Mr. Doraikkannu said.
The Chief Minister has allocated ₹115.67-crore for Kuruvai crops for the current financial year, the Minister said.
As many as 450 agriculture equipment companies had set up stalls at the fair. A model integrated farm, including cattle and poultry, is one of the highlights of the fair. Conferences will be held on July 14 and 16.
State Deputy Speaker Pollachi V. Jayaraman spoke. TNAU Vice-Chancellor K. Ramasamy presided. Codissia president R. Ramamurthy welcomed the gathering .