TN showcases agricultural growth under CM Stalin's Dravidian model government

IANS May 18, 2025 273 views

Tamil Nadu has dramatically transformed its agricultural landscape under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's leadership. The state has achieved remarkable growth by implementing targeted policy interventions and investing heavily in rural infrastructure. Foodgrain production, irrigation coverage, and livestock sectors have seen significant improvements. These developments reflect the state's commitment to inclusive and sustainable rural development through the innovative Dravidian Model.

"The Dravidian Model is proving to be a transformative force in rural progress." - TN Government Statement
Chennai, May 18: The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday reported substantial progress in agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries, attributing the achievements to the Dravidian Model of governance and targeted policy interventions under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's leadership.

Key Points

1

- Foodgrain production reaches 457.08 lakh metric tonnes under Stalin's leadership

2

Agricultural growth jumps to 5.66% from previous 1.36%

3

Five consecutive agriculture-specific budgets totaling Rs 1.94 lakh crore

In an official release, the state government stated that foodgrain production had reached 457.08 lakh metric tonnes, while agricultural growth rose to an average of 5.66 per cent between 2021 and 2024, marking a significant improvement over the 1.36 per cent growth recorded during the previous AIADMK regime.

Highlighting its commitment to the agricultural sector, the government noted that it had presented five consecutive agriculture-specific budgets for the first time in the state's history.

These budgets allocated a cumulative outlay of Rs 1.94 lakh crore, enabling a wide range of initiatives such as reclaiming 47,286 acres of fallow land across more than 10,000 village panchayats and distributing mechanised equipment to over 62,000 farmers.

Irrigation infrastructure also witnessed major enhancements. The irrigated area expanded by 2.26 lakh hectares, with 5,427 km of canals and 8,540 small ponds dredged. Additionally, 917 irrigation lakes and 814 minor lakes were renovated to improve water storage and distribution, directly benefiting over 2.10 lakh farmers.

In the dairy sector, milk production increased to 10,808 metric tonnes in 2023-24, while egg production hit a record 2,233 crore, reflecting strong support for livestock and poultry farmers. The fisheries sector saw a boost with the construction of 72 modern fish landing centres at an investment of Rs 1,428 crore, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and income for coastal communities.

"With Tamil Nadu leading the nation in the productivity of several crops and continuing to modernise rural infrastructure, the government reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development," the statement read. "The Dravidian Model is proving to be a transformative force in rural progress."

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Impressive numbers! As someone from rural TN, I've seen firsthand how the new irrigation projects have helped farmers in my district. The focus on fallow land reclamation is particularly smart - we need every acre productive. Hope this momentum continues! 👍
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Priya M.
While the achievements are commendable, I wonder about the long-term sustainability. TN faces serious water scarcity issues - are these irrigation projects accounting for future climate challenges? The model looks good on paper but must address environmental realities.
K
Karthik S.
The fisheries sector boost is a game-changer for coastal communities! Modern fish landing centres mean better prices and less wastage. My uncle in Nagapattinam says his income has increased by 30% after the new facilities came up. Innum periya vellakam irukku! (There's more growth to come!)
A
Arvind B.
Other states should take notes from TN's agricultural budgets. Five consecutive budgets focused solely on farming shows real commitment. The mechanized equipment distribution is especially important for small farmers who can't afford modern tools.
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Saranya V.
The milk and egg production numbers are phenomenal! As a nutritionist, I appreciate how this directly impacts protein availability and child health. Hope the government continues supporting livestock farmers with veterinary services and feed subsidies too.
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Manoj T.
Good work, but what about farmer debt? Impressive infrastructure is one thing, but if farmers are still trapped in loan cycles from private lenders, the benefits won't reach the ground. The government must tackle this issue next.

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Tags:
M.K. Stalin Tamil Nadu Agriculture Dravidian Model Agricultural Growth Rural Development