Even as the trade bodies such as the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and All and Agri Trade Chamber have welcomed and showered encomiums on the Agriculture Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam for tabling an ‘growth-oriented’ budget, the farmers associations have expressed disappointment as the announcements contained nothing significant to them.
It is no exaggeration to say that the budget is designed to ensure the growth of the agricultural masses by announcing various tiered schemes aimed at improving the rural economy, including economically viable agricultural practices, said Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president N. Jegatheesan.
Announcements such as Tamil Nadu Millets Mission to be launched with an outlay of ₹52.44 crore to increase productivity of millets, organic farming schemes to be developed to decentralize organic farming, special schemes for the upliftment of hill farmers to be implemented, Tamil Nadu Agroforestry policy to be introduced to promote Greener Tamil Nadu are welcome.
Agri and All Trade Chamber president S. Rethinavelu said the budget prioritised schemes for soil fertility, organic farming, boosting irrigation facilities and agri exports. The Minister had taken utmost care not to leave even a single agri produce without a scheme.
The proposal in the budget to establish seed farms in a span of 1. 73 lakh acres to supply certified seeds at subsidised rate to the farmers is a laudable scheme. The announcement to take 100 leading farmers to Japan, China and Vietnam to create an awareness of modern technology in cultivation and setting up of laboratory in four agricultural colleges, including Madurai, to test organic agri produce are welcome.
However, expressing disappointment, he said that the market fee introduced for agri produce in 1933 has no relevance under the present taxation system and it should be totally abolished. In short, the budget would improve the standards of living of farmers and enhance the agricultural production of Tamil Nadu.
Expressing total disappointment and concern, the Tamil Nadu Anaithu Vivasaiyigal Sangagalin Orunginaippu Kuzhu (Tamil Nadu All Farmers’ Associations Coordination Committee) State president N.P. Raman said that from the year of inception of Vaigai dam, the governments had not removed the silt.
Over the years, the silt stood at 20 feet (dam’s maximum level is 71 ft) and hence, the farmers depending on the water for irrigation in tail areas were affected.
On the pretext of hearing the views of the farmers, the Department of Agriculture had organised a meeting, where the farmers had highlighted fund allocation and announcement. There has been no word on this in the budget.
Likewise, jasmine is grown in vast acres of land in Madurai district. The growers had appealed to the Minister to establish cold storage facilities and also urged to set up perfume factories as they would benefit the farmers and the agri-preneurs.
Farmers from Usilampatti, Sedapatti, Chellampatti, Tirumangalam and Tiruparankundram blocks were upset over the non-announcement of their demands in the budget. They had sought guidance and technical know-how for production of perfumes and suggested to form Farmers’ Producers’ Organisation.
Published - March 15, 2025 08:00 pm IST
