Govt won’t allow any industry that ruins agriculture in Cauvery delta: Tamil Nadu CM

CHENNAI: Asserting that the state government would not allow any industry that would ruin agriculture in the Cauvery delta region, chief minister M K Stalin on Thursday said the government would strive to protect the interests of farmers and agriculture and create greater employment opportunities through agro-based industries.
Addressing the first meeting of the Tamil Nadu Protected Agricultural Zone Development Authority as its chairperson, the chief minister said that as far as irrigation was concerned, the government would continue to take all necessary legal and political steps to obtain the state’s share of Cauvery water from Karnataka.
“Water resources should be strengthened in the delta through farm ponds and check dams and the farmers should support the government’s initiatives. Good yield should be achieved by using new crop varieties and alternative technologies which are introduced to give higher returns,” the chief minister said, emphasising an increase in farmers’ income.
He stressed the need to implement the suggestions given on cultivation of kuruvai crop (short-term paddy) and alternative crops that would require less water, post-harvest management, and value addition in the protected agricultural zone. Emphasis should be given to such crops and support should be made available to farmers to get good prices for their produce. “Agriculture should be protected for a prosperous Tamil Nadu. Since delta districts in Tamil Nadu are a crucial component of agriculture, they should be treated with utmost care,” he said.
Accusing the previous AIADMK regime of doing little except enacting the law to protect the zone, the chief minister said that his government was keen on implementing the provisions of the legislation. “Only our government presented a separate budget for agriculture, announced Rs 61 crore kuruvai special package to support the farmers and released water from Mettur dam on June 12 last year. The water courses were desilted ahead of water release at a cost of Rs 65 crore, which resulted in kuruvai crop being cultivated in 4.9 lakh acres, a historic achievement,” the chief minister said.