AGRICULTURE -TAMIL NADU 2016
1. Introduction
Tamil Nadu has all along been one of the States with a Creditable Performance in Agricultural Production with the farmers relatively more responsive and receptive to changing technologies and market forces.
Agriculture continues to be the most predominant sector of the State economy, as 70 percent of the population is engaged in Agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. The State has as an area of 1.3 Lakh sq.km with a gross cropped area of around 63 lakh Hactare.
2. The Mattur Dam
The Mattur Dam was opened on 6th June 2011 for the first time in the annals of history against 12 the June bringing an additional paddy area of 1,80,000 acres. Around 1,22,230 farmers are benefited.
- The Mettur Dam is one of the largest dams in India built in 1934. It was constructed in a gorge, where the Kaveri River enters the plains. It provides irrigation facilities to parts of Salem, the length of Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchirappali and Thanjavur district for 271,000 acres (110,000 ha) of farm land.
- The total length of the dam is 1,700 m (5,600 ft). The dam creates Stanley Reservoir. The Mettur Hydro Electrical power project is also quite large. The dam, the park, the major Hydro Electric power stations and hills on all sides make Mettur a tourist attraction. Upstream from the dam is Hogenakal Falls. The maximum level of the dam is 120 ft (37 m) and the
maximum capacity is 93.47 tmc ft.
- To reduce the burden of the farmers, 4 percent VAT exemptions to agricultural inputs and farm machinery, 63,40 lakh farmers are benefited.
- To ensure uninterrupted supply of fertilizers DAP and other fertilizers interest free advance of Rs. 429.94 Crore was extend to TANFED.
- The Tamil Nadu Budget outlay for Agriculture for the past 4 years was Rs. 23655.5 Crore.
- Under Micro Irrigation, Provision of 100 percent subsidy to SF and MF Provision of 75 per cent subsidy to other farmers, Farmers benefited - Rs. 27316 Crores and extended - Rs 79.5261 Crore.
- The Government policy and objectives have been to ensure stability in agricultural production and to increase the agricultural production in a sustainable manner to meet the food requirement of growing population and also to meet the raw material needs of Agro based industries, thereby providing employment opportunities to the rural population.
- The Agriculture Department has taken up the challenge to achieve higher growth rate in agriculture by implementing several development schemes and also propagation of relevant technologies to step up the production.
- Intensive Integrated farming system, massive Wasteland Development Programme, comprehensive watershed development activities, water management through Micro irrigation systems.
- Organic farming, Soil health improvement through Bio-fertiliser including Green Manuring, adoption of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technologies are given priority through various programmes.
- Besides crop diversification to fetch better return and value addition to agricultural produce are also given priority to improve the economic status of the farming community.
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