TN agriculture budget focuses on soil health, improving productivity, AI-powered services for farmers
Chennai, Aug 6
Tamil Nadu Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister R. Vinoth on Thursday presented the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government's first Agriculture Budget in the Legislative Assembly, unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at improving farm productivity, protecting soil fertility and expanding technology-driven services for farmers.
Presenting the Agriculture Budget for 2026-27, Vinoth said the government would continue existing agricultural schemes while introducing new programmes designed to strengthen the farm economy and improve farmers' incomes.
The Minister said the Budget was prepared after consultations with farmers and agricultural exporters and incorporated suggestions received from stakeholders.
The proposals were also framed in accordance with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's long-term vision for the development of agriculture in the state.
Stressing the importance of farming to Tamil Nadu's economy, Vinoth said agriculture remained its backbone, and that sustained economic development could not be achieved without strengthening the sector.
Among the major announcements was the Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission, for which the government has allocated Rs 122.51 crore. The programme will focus on protecting and improving soil fertility and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the state.
The government has also earmarked Rs 34.72 crore under a special state scheme for the production of quality paddy seeds and providing subsidies for their distribution to farmers.
Technology will form another key component of the government's agricultural strategy.
Vinoth announced that an Artificial Intelligence-powered application would be developed to provide personalised digital services and information to farmers. An allocation of Rs 2 crore has been made for the initiative during 2026-27.
A major allocation of Rs 203.64 crore has been provided for a Self-Sufficiency Mission for Pulses and Oilseed Crops. The programme is aimed at increasing domestic production of pulses and oilseeds and reducing dependence on supplies from outside the state and imports.
The government will also implement the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission with an allocation of Rs 63.81 crore. The initiative seeks to expand the area under millet cultivation while improving production and productivity.
It will be promoted under the theme, "Ancient Tamil food, enduring healthy living", highlighting the nutritional importance of traditional crops.
The Agriculture Budget comes a day after the TVK government presented its Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27.
Meanwhile, opposition DMK legislators arrived at the Assembly wearing black shirts as a mark of protest ahead of the Agriculture Budget presentation.
— IANS
Reader Comments
AI-powered services for farmers is a welcome step. If done right, it can give timely crop advice and market prices to every farmer via their phones. But Rs 2 crore seems too little for a full-fledged AI platform. Hope they use existing infrastructure like Aadhaar-linked farmer databases effectively. 🌾
Pulses and oilseed self-sufficiency mission is the need of the hour. We import too much dal and oil. Rs 203 crore is substantial, but why not focus on expanding irrigation in the Cauvery delta first? Without water, all these seeds and missions won't yield results. Just saying.
Millet mission under the theme "Ancient Tamil food, enduring healthy living" is excellent! Our grandparents ate kambu and samai regularly and stayed healthy. It's time we revive these traditional grains. Hope they also organise awareness campaigns in urban areas so young people start consuming millets. 💪
These budgets look good on paper, but what about the immediate crisis? Farmers in many districts are still struggling with crop loan waivers and fair Minimum Support Prices. Digital apps won't help if the farmer can't get a fair price for his paddy. The real test will be the procurement policy.
Happy to see the DMK protesting in black shirts. The TVK budget was made without adequate discussion with farmer unions. Agriculture is not just about schemes and missions; it's about ensuring remunerative prices and stable markets. The government should also address the unequal distribution of Cauvery water. 🤔
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.