TN Agri Budget 2025-26: Int'l Exposure Visits For 100 Farmers, CM’s Service Centres Across State — Highlights

To encourage the cultivation of high-value timber crops such as Sandalwood, Red Sanders, Mahogany, and Rosewood, Tamil Nadu government announced the introduction of Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy.

The government plans to establish 1,000 Chief Minister’s Farmers Service Centres across the state with each centre receiving an investment of Rs 10-20 lakh.

Source : PTI

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam presented the state’s Agriculture Budget for 2025-26 in the Assembly on Saturday, outlining a series of initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity, empowering farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices. This marks the fifth agriculture-focused budget under the DMK-led government since 2021.

Support For Paddy Farmers

In an effort to modernize paddy cultivation, the government has allocated Rs 2 crore to facilitate international exposure visits for 100 progressive farmers to countries such as Japan, China, and Vietnam, reported PTI. These visits aim to help farmers adopt advanced techniques and boost production.

A dedicated Rs 102 crore package will be rolled out across 29 non-Cauvery Delta districts to enhance paddy cultivation and food grain production during the Kar, Kuruvai, and Sornavari seasons. This includes subsidies for machine planting and quality-certified seeds.

Another Rs 58 crore has been earmarked for farmers in the Cauvery Delta districts to improve Kuruvai season cultivation. At present, paddy is cultivated across 18 lakh acres in the Cauvery Delta and 34 lakh acres in non-delta regions.

New Agroforestry Policy

To encourage the cultivation of high-value timber crops such as Sandalwood, Red Sanders, Mahogany, and Rosewood, the government will introduce the Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy.

This policy aims to streamline regulations concerning the registration, felling, transportation and marketing of timber while enhancing environmental sustainability. Agroforestry is expected to improve soil health, enhance rainfall, and generate additional income for farmers.

Chief Minister’s Farmers Service Centres

The government plans to establish 1,000 Chief Minister’s Farmers Service Centres across the state with each centre receiving an investment of Rs 10-20 lakh.

A 30% subsidy (Rs 3-6 lakh per centre) will be provided and Rs 42 crore has been allocated for the initiative. These centres will offer critical agricultural inputs, including seeds and fertilizers, as well as expert guidance on crop management, modern technology, pest control, and value addition.

The scheme will involve agriculture graduates and diploma holders in running these centres.

Additional Key Allocations

• Summer Ploughing Incentive: Rs 24 crore has been set aside to support summer ploughing across three lakh acres, with farmers receiving Rs 2,000 per hectare as an incentive.
  
  
• Support for Hill Farmers: Under the Malaivazh Uzhavar Munnetra Thittam (Hill Farmers Development Scheme), Rs 22.80 crore will be used to assist 63,000 hill farmers across 20 districts. The scheme includes support for minor millet cultivation, vegetable farming, mechanization, value addition, micro-irrigation, and integrated farming. The government also plans to facilitate access to Kisan credit cards for eligible farmers.