Tamil Nadu Agriculture Development 2023-24 PDF

 Introduction “இரவா இர பா ஒ ஈவ கரவா ைகெச மாைல யவ ” ( ற : 1035) They ask nothing of others: to those who ask they give. Who raise with their own hands the food on which they live. Moreover,...

 Introduction “இரவா இர பா ஒ ஈவ கரவா ைகெச மாைல யவ ” ( ற : 1035) They ask nothing of others: to those who ask they give. Who raise with their own hands the food on which they live. Moreover, the Poet Kambar, in his Poem Earezhupathu, while depicting the glory of Agriculture has declared that farmers assume a superior status when compared to others as detailed below. ”பா ேவ த ெப îெச வ ப படா ெதா நா ஏ ேவ த ெப îெச வ அ படா த னா ேத ேவ த ேபா கள í êல ெவ வ êல ேதா ப ஏ ேவ த ேபா கள இர பவ ேதாலாேர” (ஏெர ப : 58) 1  The poet extols the enduring wealth of a king who protects his realm, attributing this prosperity to the farmers whose bountiful paddy harvests never diminish. Unlike the uncertain outcomes of kings in battle, where some win and some lose, the farmers' fields consistently yield plentiful goods. Those who seek sustenance can always rely on the farmers, who unfailingly fulfill their responsibilities. Agriculture is the noblest and the oldest occupation as it nourishes the hungry and sustains life in the world. The other occupations related to production of essential goods for meeting the basic needs of human being like food, clothes and shelter are also dependent on Agriculture. Agriculture, being a big contributor in the development of the nation also remains as the main occupation for the livelihood of most of the people in Tamil Nadu. Agriculture, besides being the primary occupation, also plays role in the progress of other sectors and provides employment opportunities in agriculture related fields, agri trade, poverty alleviation and eradication of hunger too and gains importance. The state which flourishes in agriculture will prosper as it does not have to experience the 2 detrimental effects of famine. Having a full comprehension of the interdependence between agriculture and other sectors, the Tamil Nadu Government is actively taking steps for the upliftment of farmers. The nomenclature - Agriculture – Farmers Welfare Department- which has been recently adopted is indicative of farmers’ welfare gaining top priority. Undoubtedly, earnest efforts are being taken to transform agriculture into a profitable enterprise. This effort includes integrating new technologies, fostering innovation, and encouraging the younger generation to pursue agriculture. The department's initiatives aim to enhance productivity and profitability in the agricultural sector, ensuring that farming remains a viable and attractive occupation. Presently, the efforts to revive the declining soil health, providing healthy food to the increasing population through sustainable and environment-friendly practices and leaving healthy soil and enriched, non-toxic agricultural produces to the younger generation are the important tasks before us. Additionally, 3 addressing the challenges posed by climate change induced variations in season and combating emerging new pests and diseases are also huge tasks ahead. Furthermore, increasing the cultivated area which is showing a declining trend, improving the ground water status, disseminating new technologies extensively among the farmers to boost production are also to be focussed on and managed well. In Tamil Nadu, significant efforts are being made to enhance farmers' livelihoods through tailored advisories on new crop varieties and technologies suited to the state's seven agro- climatic zones. These advisories consider various soil types, rainfall patterns and crops appropriate for different climatic conditions. Additionally, several initiatives are underway to ensure consistent income and livelihood stability by encouraging farmers to diversify and integrate their activities. These activities include animal husbandry, home gardening, fish farming, beekeeping, sericulture and agroforestry. By integrating these allied activities, farmers can achieve sustained income throughout the year without relying solely on crop husbandry. 4  Efforts taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu for Agricultural Development During the year 2023-24, the Mettur Dam was opened on the scheduled date of June 12th by the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the Kuruvai Package scheme was provided to the farmers at an outlay of Rs.75.95 crore to take up Kuruvai cultivation. Moreover, rivers and canals were desilted and the irrigation facilities were improved. These efforts of the Government of Tamil Nadu resulted in Kuruvai cultivation in 5.599 lakh acres which is the highest in the past 48 years. In continuation to the implementation of Kuruvai Special Package Scheme during the past three years to increase agricultural production and to improve the livelihoods of farmers, Tamil Nadu Government will implement the Kuruvai Special Package Scheme during the year 2024 also at an outlay of Rs.78.67 crore. This Kuruvai Special Package Scheme will be implemented by integrating the schemes of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. 5  Moreover, the Agriculture – Farmers Welfare Department has been assigned three long term visions by the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The first vision is to increase the net cropped area in the state. The net cropped area has increased to 119.50 lakh acre during the year 2022-23 from 119.37 lakh acre during 2020-2021 owing to the implementation of various schemes designed and presented in the last three Agriculture Budgets. Likewise, the second long term vision of doubling the double cropped area had resulted in an increased area of 35.15 lakh acre in the year 2022-23 from 32.65 lakh acre in 2020-21 due to the implementation of various scheme activities. In addition, concerted efforts are also being undertaken to realize the third long term vision of placing Tamil Nadu within the top three positions at national level in productivity of foodgrains, Coconut, Sunflower and commercial crops like Sugarcane and Cotton. 6 Table : 1.1 – Status of Tamil Nadu in Agricultural productivity at National level. First Place Second Third Fouth Place Place Place Oilseeds, Groundnut, Rice, Minor Maize Coconut Sugarcane, Ragi Millets Source : Agriculture Statistics at a Glance-2022 In Tamil Nadu, the Grama Sabha meetings are being conducted by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department on six occasions viz., January 26, March 22, May 1, August 15, October 2 and November 1. The transparency in implementation of various schemes is ensured by exhibiting the list of beneficiaries of schemes and appraising of scheme activities by the officials of Agriculture – Farmers Welfare Department. Moreover, new agricultural technologies, developments are also exhibited during these events and downloading of Uzhavar App, issuance of Kisan credit card, PM-Kisan assistance are also ensured. 7  NITI Aayog is working towards the global transformation envisioned for 2030 through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, 17 SDGs have been established and various departments design and implement schemes based on these goals. The Department of Agriculture in Tamil Nadu is specifically tasked with addressing six of these goals: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Responsible Consumption and Production and Life Below Water. The department's schemes are designed to meet these objectives and ongoing activities aim to achieve these SDGs. These schemes will continue to be implemented to ensure the attainment of the set goals. Agriculture, as an occupation, is highly esteemed finds resonance in Avvaiyar's words in Kondrai Vendhan (77), "ேம í ெச வ ேகாைழபடா ," which means “wealth gained through agriculture never diminishes”. To improve the lives of farmers, various schemes which focus on their welfare have been implemented. These initiatives aim at supporting farmers and transforming the noble occupation 8 of agriculture into a realm of significant achievements, which have been achieved by overcoming numerous challenges. Through their hard work, farmers sustain the population: they are akin to nurturing mothers with regard to providing food and ensuring food security. Evolution – Agriculture Department The then Governor of Madras Presidency Sir William Denison presented details of the agricultural activities in the Madras Presidency to his Council Note of 1863, drawing the attention towards agriculture and paving the way for the development activities for continuous growth. Moreover, a separate Department of Agriculture was established in 1882 to implement the recommendations of the Indian Famine Commission in 1880. Later, it was designated as the post of Commissioner of Revenue Settlement, Land Records and Agriculture and from 1905 onwards a separate Department of Agriculture was streamlined with 9 necessary staff and continued to function under the control of the Director of Agriculture. The services of Agriculture Department had been rendered firstly by the Revenue Department at Secretariat level, later by Development Department and then by the newly formed Agriculture Department. The Commissioner of Civil Supplies in the Board of Revenue was nominated and functioned as Agricultural Production Commissioner during 1949-1951. The responsibilities at Secretarial level were also bestowed till 1956 continuously. Later, these services were transferred to the Secretary to Government in Agriculture Department. Table : 1.2 – Formation of Various Departments under the Agriculture – Farmers Welfare Department. S.No Department Year Details 1. Department of 1882 Functioning as Agriculture separate Department 1905 Functioning with Director of Agriculture as Head of Department 10 S.No Department Year Details 2. Department of 1977- Functioning as Agricultural 1978 separate Department Marketing and Agri from Agriculture Business. 3. Department of 1979- Functioning as Horticulture and 1980 separate Department Plantation Crops from Agriculture 4. Department of 1979- Functioning as Seed Certification 1980 separate Department and Organic from Agriculture Certification 2022 Change of Headquarter from Coimbatore to Chennai 5. Department of 1980- Functioning as Agricultural 1981 separate Department Engineering from Agriculture 6. First Agricultural 1876 Functioning at College Saidapet, Chennai Tamil Nadu 1971 Established at Agricultural Coimbatore University 7. Department of 1969 Formation as new Sugar Department from Agriculture Department 2022 Aligned again with Agriculture Department 11 S.No Department Year Details 8. Department of 2012 Functioning in Food Processing Agriculture Marketing and Agriculture Business. 2022 Transferred to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Department 9 Restructuring of 2008 Restructuring the Department activities undertaken for the smooth implementation of activities at block level Source : Agricultural Departmental Manual 6th edition (1990) Agriculture in Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu falls within the semi-dry sub- humid to dry humid tropics category in the geographical system. It ranks as the 11th largest state in India, covering an area of 1.30 lakh sq. km. According to the 11th population census, it stands as the seventh most populous 12 state, boasting of a population of 7.21 crore. Tamil Nadu represents four percent of the total area, six percent of the population and three percent of the water resources at the All-India level. The state accounts for 79.38 lakh land holders cultivate an area of 59.71 lakh hectare. As per the 10th Agricultural Census conducted by the Government of India, an overwhelming 93% of these land holdings belong to Marginal and Small farmers, overseeing 62% of the total cultivable lands. The remaining seven percent of land holdings are in the hands of medium and large farmers, managing 38% of the total cultivable lands. Notably, the average land holding area in Tamil Nadu stands at only 0.75 hectare, compared to the national average of 1.08 hectare. 13  Figure : 1- Land Use Pattern of Tamil Nadu - 2022-23. Total Geographical Area – 130.33 lakh Ha Cropping Intensity (%) – 129.40 (Gross cropped Area/Net cropped Area*100) (*) Difference between Gross Cropped Area (62.60 lakh hectare) and Area sown more than once (14.23 lakh hectare) Source: Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Tamil Nadu (2022-23) 14 Table : 1.3 - Land Use Pattern of Tamil Nadu 2020-21 and 2022-23- A Comparision S. (lakh hectare) Land Use No 2020-21 2022-23 Remarks 1. Gross Cropped 61.55 62.60 1.05 lakh area ha increase Current Fallow 0.03 lakh 2. lands 8.93 8.90 ha decrease 0.17 lakh 3. Other Fallow lands 18.65 18.48 ha decrease 4. Net Cropped area 48.33 48.37 0.04 lakh ha increase Cropping Intensity 2.05 % 5. 127.35 129.40 (%) increase Average Rainfall of Tamil Nadu The annual average rainfall in Tamil Nadu remains as 919.8 mm. The total rainfall received in the year 2023 is 1,035 mm. 15 Figure : 2 - Season wise Rainfall Distribution in 2023 Source: Indian Metrological Department (IMD) Sources of Irrigation The details of net area irrigated using various sources of irrigation across the State during the year 2022-23 are as follows: 16 Table: 1.4 - Water Source wise Net Area Irrigated 2022-23 % with Net Area Availability reference Source Irrigated (Nos) to Net Area (lakh ha.) Irrigated Canals 2,241 6.83 23.39 Tanks 41,123 3.99 13.66 Tube Wells & Bore 3,71,084 5.42 18.56 wells Open wells 14,69,659 12.92 44.25 Others 45,129 0.04 0.14 Total 29.20 100.00 Source: Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Tamil Nadu (2022-23) About 63% of the cultivated area is irrigated by wells, borewells and open wells, while 23% is irrigated by canals and the remaining 14% is irrigated by tanks. 17 Figure : 3 – Source wise net area irrigated – 2022-23 Utilization of irrigation water resources The irrigated area from wells, borewells and open wells expanded to 18.38 lakh hectare (an increase of 0.16 percent) in 2022-23, upward from 18.35 lakh hectare in 2021-22. 18 Figure: 4 - Seven Agro Climatic Zones of Tamil Nadu Source: Agri Tech Portal of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University 19  1. AGRICULTURE 1.1 Increasing the Area, Production and Productivity of Agricultural Crops The various schemes for the welfare of farmers announced in the Agriculture Budget for reaching the long term visions of increasing the net cropped area and doubling the double cropped area assigned by the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for agriculture have been implemented resulting in increase of the food grain production of 119.97 lakh MT during the year 2021-22 from 108.24 lakh MT in the year 2020-21. Despite the occurrence of various natural disasters like unseasonal rainfall and extremely high rainfall in monsoon seasons, a record 116.91 lakh MT of food grain production has been attained during the year 2022-23. Similarly, in the year 2023-24, a record food grain production of 118.02 lakh MT has been achieved (as per Third Advance Estimate, 2023-24) amidst natural calamities like deficit rainfall during south-west monsoon, crop damage due to Michaung cyclone in northern districts and extremely heavy rainfall in southern 20 districts during December 2024. The food grain production has crossed the mark of 116 lakh MT for the third consecutive year with this achievement. Table : 1.5 – Action Plan for 2024-25 Sl. Area Production Productivity Crop (lakh (lakh MT) (Kg/Ha) No Ha) 1 Rice 20.20 81.81 4,050 2 Millets 9.95 39.09 3,928 3 Pulses 10.00 8.73 873 Total Food grains 40.15 129.63 4 Oilseeds 5.80 16.28 2,800 5 Cotton 1.78 4.61* 440** 6 Sugarcane 1.75 231.00 132*** Total 49.48 *Production in lakh Bales: 170 Kg of Lint for each bale. **Productivity in terms of lint. ***Productivity (MT / Ha) 21 Figure – 1.1 : Food grain Production in the last four years *(2023-24 – As per the Third Advance Estimate of the Department of Economics and Statistics) 22 Long term Vision of the Honourable Chief Minister A) An additional area of 11.75 lakh hectare will be brought back to cultivation, to increase the existing net cropped area from 60 percent to 75 percent. In Tamil Nadu, the net cropped area of 48.33 lakh hectare in the year 2020-21 has increased to 49.09 lakh hectare during the year 2021-22 by implementing various schemes. Moreover, the gross cropped area of 61.56 lakh hectare in the year 2020-21 has increased with 1.04 lakh hectare to 62.60 lakh hectare during the year 2022-23. Moreover, the area in other fallow lands of 18.65 lakh hectare has decreased to 18.48 lakh hectare during 2022-23 with reduction of 17,000 hectare which is brought into cultivation by implementing Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme (KAVIADP) and Fallow lands Development Scheme. The vision will be realized as projected in ten years by implementing various schemes. 23 B) The present 10 lakh hectare of area cropped more than once will be doubled within next ten years, i.e. 20 lakh hectare. About two lakh new electricity connections have been provided to the farmers when the Government had taken over charge in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, to minimize the water demand and usage, Micro irrigation Scheme has been implemented in 1,02,329 hectare in 2021-22, 70,856 hectare in 2022-23 and 1,29,020 hectare in 2023-24, adding to a total of 3,02,205 hectare which resulted in the increase of double cropped area of 14.23 lakh hectare in 2022-23. In addition, this vision will be achieved in ten years period as notified by continuously implementing all the schemes. 1.2. Priority Schemes in Agriculture 1.2.1. Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom Scheme ( CM MK MKS ) In agriculture, there is a decrease in fertility of soil, due to mono cropping and cultivation of high nutrient exhaustive crops. 24 Moreover, increased use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides to get high crop yields, has also reduced microbial population in soil, resulting in decline of soil health and fertility. If this situation persists, it will only leave barren soil for generations to come. Considering this situation, the Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom Scheme (CM MK MKS) will be implemented in the year 2024-25 with a financial allocation of Rs.206 crore with 22 components to maintain soil health for supply of healthy food to the society and to protect the welfare of the people. i. Enhancing soil fertility through green manuring in ayacut and irrigated areas in 2 lakh acre with a financial allocation of Rs.20 crore for 2 lakh farmers. ii. Provision of Vermibeds to the 10,000 farmers at the rate of 2 Nos/farmer with a financial allocation of Rs. 6 crore and also, permanent vermicompost tanks / Vermibeds will be allocated to 3560 farmers with a financial allocation of Rs.5 crore. 25 iii. An amount of Rs.10.375 crore has been allocated for testing Soil in 2482 Village Panchayats of Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme to issue Soil Health Cards for balanced fertilizer recommendation and Integrated Nutrient Management schemes to 3.33 lakh farmers. iv. Allotment of Rs. 22.5 crore will be made for reclamation of both Alkaline soil and Acidic soil of 37,500 acre each. v. Liquid bio-fertilisers will be distributed at a cost of Rs 7.50 crore to 2 lakh farmers to cover an area of 10 lakh acre. vi. Field level surveillance will be conducted to provide suitable advisories and recommendations to reduce the reliance on chemicals thereby protecting soil health. vii. Free distribution of 10 lakh Neem tree saplings having ability to control pests and diseases with a financial allocation of Rs. 2 crore in Agro forestry scheme. 26 viii. Plant species like Adathoda and Nochi which have natural bio-insecticidal properties will be promoted by distribution of 50 lakh saplings for planting in fallow lands and fields with an outlay of Rs.1 crore. ix. Traditional paddy varieties with traditional properties like Seevan Samba having capacity to control diabetes will be distributed for cultivation in an extent of 1,000 acre. x. To conserve traditional paddy varieties, seeds of 200 MT of traditional paddy varieties will be produced for cultivation in an extent of 10,000 acre with an allocation of Rs.50 lakh for seed distribution. xi. The seeds of traditional varieties of Millets and Pulses with immunity boosting feature will be produced in State Seed Farms and used for developing new varieties and to improve existing varieties. xii. To create awareness on organic farming, one model organic farming plot will be established in one village per block, with a financial allocation of Rs.38.50 lakh. 27 xiii. Provision of Rs. 27 crore for the 725 organic farming clusters to complete certified organic standards with all the activities from sowing to marketing to improve profit of the farmers. xiv. Rupees one crore will be allocated to establish 100 Organic input units for organic farming. xv. A financial allocation of Rs.13 crore will be made to produce quality saplings under agro-forestry schemes. xvi. To promote crop cultivation along with rearing of milch cow / goats, fruit tree saplings, vermicompost production and apiculture, 14,000 Integrated Farming Units will be formed with an allocation of Rs.42 crore. xvii. To promote profitable cultivation of crops in rainfed areas, distribution of seeds covering 3 lakh acre will be provided with a financial allocation of Rs.36 crore. 28 xviii. An outlay of Rs. 4 crore will be allocated to encourage cultivation of nutritious fruit crops viz., banana, papaya and moringa in home gardens. xix. Considering the significance of bees in cross pollination and health benefits for people, centre with honey testing and processing facilities will be established at Kanyakumari to provide bee keeping trainings also with an allocation of Rs. 3.60 crore. xx. Climate Smart Villages will be developed for creation of awareness and dissemination of appropriate climate mitigation technologies to farmers, by Agricultural Extension Officers with an allocation of Rs.1.48 crore. xxi. Research on soil microbiome engineering will be undertaken at an outlay of Rs.1.39 crore to develop and evaluate microbial consortia for the decomposition of organic matter, including crop residues, to increase soil carbon and convert unavailable nutrients into available forms. 29  xxii. About 100 Uzhavar Angadis will be established at an outlay of Rs.5 crore by procuring directly, and doing grading, packing and branding to ensure availability of quality agricultural produces and value added products to urban consumers also. 1.2.2. Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme The real progress of India lies with the development of its villages. Therefore, the Government of Tamil Nadu is implementing Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme from 2021-22 for attaining village agricultural development holistically resulting in the overall growth of our nation. The scheme is implemented in an integrated way in village panchayats identified for the implementation of Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam implemented by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. The objective of the scheme is formation fallow land clusters, creation of water sources and energisation with electricity or solar energy, 30 installation of micro irrigation units, planting of perennial fruit or tree crops, cultivation of short duration agricultural crops in the village panchayats selected for the implementation of the scheme. About 80 percent of the financial allocation of the schemes of the Agriculture - Farmers Welfare Department are allocated to the selected village panchayats for creation of impact and the schemes are implemented. The scheme will be implemented in 2,482 village panchayats at an outlay of Rs. 176.15 crore during 2024-25. 1.2.3. One Village One Crop Scheme A new scheme "One Village – One Crop" scheme will be implemented in 15,280 revenue villages to bring about renaissance in rural areas. Awareness will be created among the farmers through organising demonstrations by choosing one crop per village with an area of 5- 10 acre, covering the agricultural activities such as land preparation, use of high yielding variety 31 seeds, seed treatment, sowing, integrated nutrient management for paddy and other important crops during 2024-25. In order to distinguish between beneficial and harmful insects, fixed plots for survey will be established, and effective plant protection measures will be recommended to the farmers. 1.2.4. Tamil Nadu Millet Mission (Five Year Scheme) It has been announced in the Agriculture Budget for the year 2023-24, that the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission will be implemented for a period of 5 years from 2023-24 to 2027-28 to increase the area and production of millets. The Tamil Nadu Millet Mission is being implemented in two millet special zones comprising of 25 districts which are having more millet areas from 2023-24 with the budget outlay of Rs.65 crore. The Tamil Nadu Millet Mission will be continued with the financial outlay of Rs.65 crore in the year 2024-25 also. 32 1.2.5. State Agricultural Development Scheme 1.2.5.1. Alternative Crop Cultivation in Kuruvai season This scheme has been implemented in an area of 50,463 acre with the financial outlay of Rs.8.48 crore in order to promote the cultivation of less water requiring crops like millets, pulses and oilseeds as an alternative for paddy in Kar/ Kuruvai and Sornavari seasons. In an area of 23,510 acre of millets, 21,158 acre of pulses, and 5,795 acre of oilseeds have been achieved and 43,341 farmers were benefited. As a result, the production of 9,404 MT of millets, 5,290 MT of pulses and 6,259 MT of oilseeds have been obtained. The scheme will be implemented in one lakh acre at an outlay of Rs.12 crore during the year 2024-25 also. 1.2.5.2. Making Youth into Agri-Entrepreneurs It is important to encourage young agricultural graduates and create opportunities 33 for establishing Agri based business. In this context, the scheme of Making Youth into Agri- Entrepreneurs is being implemented in the state since 2021-22. Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rupees one lakh is being extended to young Agriculture/Horticulture/Agri- Engineering graduates for establishing agri- based business. Financial assistance of Rs.88 lakh was extended to 88 agriculture graduates during the year 2023-24. This scheme will be continued during 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs.1 crore. 1.2.5.3. “Nammazhvar Award” for the best Organic Farmer To encourage the farmers who practice and promote organic farming and handhold fellow organic farmers, Nammazhvar award was given to three farmers during 2023-24 with a financial allocation of Rs.5.22 lakh. This scheme will be implemented continuously during 2024-25 also with an allocation of Rs.5.22 lakh. 34 1.2.5.4 Traditional Paddy Seed Bank During the year 2023-24, 11 traditional paddy Seed Banks were established with an allocation of Rs.33 lakh for collecting and preserving ethnic purity of seeds of the traditional paddy varieties. 1.2.6. Additional 20% Subsidy for Small and Marginal Farmers of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe. In order to encourage and to reduce the financial burden of the Small and Marginal farmers of scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, additional 20 percent subsidy is extended from the state fund in addition to the amount of regular subsidy in the high value schemes viz., Integrated Farming System, establishment of Green house / Shade nets, distribution of solar dryers and pump sets, value addition machineries and Farm machineries. A sum of Rs.5.90 crore was extended under this scheme benefitting 1,726 SC farmers and 165 ST farmers during 2022-23. This scheme has been continued during the year 2023-24 also and a sum of Rs.19.08 crore subsidy extended to 5,509 SC farmers and 653 ST farmers. 35  This initiative which has received huge response from farmers is being continued in 2024-25 also with a total financial outlay of Rs.18 crore from the state funds. 1.2.7. Digital Agriculture A mobile application namely "Uzhavar" has been developed with 24 services to disseminate agricultural technologies, input stock position, market price, weather forecast, water level status and government subsidy schemes details to farmers using digital means. So far, about 17 lakh farmers have downloaded the Uzhavar app. A portal called GRAINS (Grower Online Registration of Agriculture Inputs System) has been developed to facilitate farmers for easily availing the benefits from the Department of Agriculture and other departments. Land parcels in all villages of Tamil Nadu are being linked with farmer details and the same is made available for all departments. Also, all the survey numbers have been geo- referenced and linked to farmers data. 36  The details of the crops cultivated in such geo referenced land parcels are being captured on real-time basis. GRAINS portal will facilitate to improve the crop productivity by providing land as well as crop specific technologies to the farmers. Further, this will help in estimation of extent of crop damage, ultimately enabling early settlement of compensation to farmers during natural calamities. As the details about farmers land ownership, crop grown, bank account, etc., are integrated, the government departments as well as banks utilize them to provide all necessary services to farmers. It will also eliminate the submission of documents multiple times for availing scheme benefits besides expediting the process. 1.2.8 Village Level Agricultural Development Groups (VLADG) As announced, ‘Village Level Agricultural Development Groups (VLADG)’ will be formed in all village panchayats, covering all hamlets, with 37 25 to 50 farmers as members in five years period in Tamil Nadu’, 2,504 Village Level Agricultural Development Groups consisting of 25 to 50 farmers have been formed in 2,504 village panchayats, where Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme (KAVIADP) is implemented, during the year 2023-24 in the first phase and 10,016 trainings have been provided to 77,000 farmers on innovative technologies related to agriculture with an expenditure of Rs.2.5 crore. Also during 2024-25 Village Level Agricultural Development Groups will be formed in 2,482 village panchayats where Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme is being implemented and also trainings will be provided with an allocation of Rs. 2.48 crore under ATMA Scheme. Accordingly, the scheme will also be implemented during the year 2024-25 by imparting training on all the technologies from summer ploughing to marketing of agricultural produces to the group members to adopt the technologies and increase the production, so 38 that, all the farmers in the village can adopt the technologies to get sustainable income and transform the village with development. 1.2.9. Uzhavar Aluvalar Thodarbu Thittam: Agricultural extension plays a major role in dissemination of modern crop cultivation technologies and scheme benefits to the farmers. To sustain this, the extension functionaries (Assistant Agricultural Officer, Deputy Agricultural Officer / Agricultural Officer) are visiting the village panchayat on a fixed schedule. In each village panchayat 10 farmers (inclusive of 2 SC/ST) are identified whom are trained on agriculture and allied activities periodically by the extension workers. These farmers are involved in training of other farmers. The date and place of visit by the extension functionaries will be informed to the farmers and also displayed in the Uzhavar app. An exclusive mobile software application (UATT App) has been developed and being used by extension functionaries during their visit to 39 village Panchayat for uploading the details of visit pertinent to the village panchayat concerned. A dashboard has been created at block, district and state level to monitor the visit by the extension officials with a focus on interaction with farmers and issues raised by farmers. Farmers can also view the details of the visit of extension functionaries with their name, contact number and contact point of the village Panchayat in the Uzhavar app. 1.3. Area Coverage 1.3.1.Paddy In Tamil Nadu, the staple food, rice, as the prime crop is being cultivated in all the districts in three seasons namely Kar/Kuruvai/Sornavari (April-July); Samba/Thaladi/Pishanam (August- November) and in Navarai/Kodai (December- March). Paddy is grown in Tamil Nadu in a normal area of 20.91 lakh hectare with a normal production of 74.55 lakh MT of rice. It is planned to cover 20.20 lakh hectare with rice production of 81.81 lakh MT during the year 2024-25. 40  In order to enhance the area, production and productivity of the paddy crop, the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP)- Paddy and National Food and Nutrition Security Mission (Rice) have been implemented with a financial outlay of Rs.2.80 crore and Rs.5.15 crore, respectively. These schemes will be implemented in the year 2024-25 also. About 53,500 tarpaulins have been distributed to the farmers with a financial outlay of Rs.5 crore in subsidized cost to save the agricultural produces from natural calamities during 2023-24. Zinc sulphate and gypsum required for crop growth in paddy have been distributed to the farmers with a financial outlay of Rs.5 crore in the State Agricultural Development Scheme during the year 2023-24. This scheme will be continued during the year 2024-25 also. Additionally, action will be perused to promote the superfine paddy varieties which are highly favoured by people in higher extent during 2024-25 in Samba and Navarai seasons. 41  1.3.2. Millets The major millets, like sorghum, cumbu, ragi, maize and the minor millets such as varagu, panivaragu, kuthiraivali, samai and tenai are cultivated in Tamil Nadu in a normal area of 8.94 lakh hectare with the production of 31.35 lakh MT. Table: 1.6 - Area, Production and Productivity at State level in Millets during 2022-23 S. Area Production Productivity Crop No (lakh (lakh MT) (Kg/Ha) Ha.) 1 Maize 4.267 29.899 7,007 2 Sorghu 3.602 2.927 812 3. Ragi 0.696 2.066 2,968 3 Cumbu 0.451 1.134 2,514 5 Samai 0.138 0.170 1,234 6 Varagu 0.017 0.032 1,865 7 Tenai 0.011 0.005 470 8 Pani 0.008 0.013 1,700 varagu 9 Kudiraiv 0.048 0.064 1,334 Total 9.238 36.310 (Source: Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Tamil Nadu) *As per Final Estimates 2022-23 42  During 2024-25, it is planned to cover an area of 9.95 lakh hectare with a production of 39.09 lakh MT. 1.3.2.1. Schemes for encouraging Millet Cultivation: a. Food and Nutrition Security (FNS): Nutri – Cereals: The scheme, Food and Nutrition Security - Nutri Cereals is being implemented in 15 districts of Tamil Nadu, in order to increase the area and production of Nutri Cereals. During 2023-24, the scheme FNS - Nutri Cereals is implemented with a financial allocation of Rs.30.20 crore. The scheme will be implemented in the year 2024-25 year also. b. Food and Nutrition Security (FNS): Maize The scheme, Food and Nutritional Security - Coarse Cereals is implemented in nine districts of Tamil Nadu, in order to increase the area and production of Maize. 43  The scheme FNS - Coarse Cereals is implemented with a financial allocation of Rs.1.63 crore during 2023-24. The scheme will be implemented in the year 2024-25 also. c. National Agricultural Development Programme The scheme on providing ploughing subsidy is implemented with a financial outlay of Rs.1.80 crore during the year 2023-24 in the two millet special zones, (25 districts) in order to encourage the millet growing farmers. The scheme will be implemented in the year 2024-25 also. 1.3.3. Pulses Pulses provide protein rich diet helping the mankind to lead healthy life. Further, pulses fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules thereby increasing soil fertility. The major pulses crops cultivated in Tamil Nadu are redgram, blackgram, greengram, cowpea, horsegram, 44 bengalgram and lablab. Pulses are cultivated in an average area of 8.17 lakh hectare with an average production of 5.22 lakh MT. Figure: 1.2 – Area, Production and Productivity in Pulses in the State - 2022- 23 The Food and Nutritional Security (Pulses) and Targeting Rice Fallow Areas (TRFA) (Pulses) schemes were implemented with an allocation of Rs.28.32 crore and Rs.2.96 crore respectively, in 45 order to attain self sufficiency in pulses, during the year 2023-24 The scheme for provision of assistance for Transplanted Redgram was implemented with the financial allocation of Rs.12 crore, during the year 2023-24, to enhance the productivity of redgram, in the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP). As a result of this scheme, the productivity has increased from 1,038 kg/ha in 2022-23 to 1,118 kg/ha in 2023- 24. Keeping this in mind, during 2024-25 also, it is proposed to implement the scheme of providing incentive for planting redgram in 30,000 acres with an outlay of Rs.10.80 crore with Centre and state funds. Further, to increase the area of redgram, the mission on area expansion in redgram will be implemented in 70,000 acre with a financial allocation of Rs.17.50 crore from the state fund during 2024- 25. The Food and Nutrition Security (Pulses) and Targeting Rice Fallow Areas (Pulses) scheme will be implemented with the financial allocation 46 of Rs.35.38 crore, Rs.3.35 crore respectively, during the year 2024-25, to increase the area and production of pulses crops like blackgram, greengram, horsegram and cowpea and to attain self sufficiency in pulses. 1.3.4. Oilseeds Oil extracted from oilseed crops is a major component of our diet. Also, the oil is used to make paints, soaps, perfumes etc. The residue after oil extraction is used as animal feed and as manure. Table: 1.7 - Area, Production and Productivity of Oilseeds - 2022-23 S. N Area Production Productivity o Crop (Ha) (M.T) (Kg/Ha.) 1 Groundnut 3,51,079 9,12,150 2,598 2 Gingelly 47,878 25,071 524 3 Sunflower 9,640 10,118 1,050 4 Castor 5,814 1,813 312 5 Others 361 361 1,000 Total 4,14,772 9,49,513 2,289 47  Oilseeds are cultivated in an average/ normal area of 3.95 lakh ha with a production of 9.44 lakh MT in Tamil Nadu. In order to increase the area and productivity of oilseeds crops, National Mission on Edible Oils and National Agriculture Development Programme have been implemented at an outlay of Rs.38.08 crore during 2023-24. Due to these schemes, 1.94 lakh farmers have been benefited and the productivity of oilseeds crops has increased from 2,289 kg/ha (2022-23) to 2,313 kg/ha (2023- 24). The schemes like “National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO-Oilseeds)” at an outlay of Rs.56.85 crore and Targeting Rice Fallow Areas- Oilseeds at an outlay of Rupees One crore will be implemented, to increase the area and productivity of oilseed crops such as groundnut, sesame, sunflower, castor and soybeans during the year 2024-25. The productivity of oilseeds crops is expected to increase to 2,800 kg/ha by these schemes. 48  It is programmed to distribute Gypsum to 50,000 acre with a financial allocation of Rupees One crore, to promote the use of Gypsum in oilseed crops such as groundnut and to increase production and productivity of crops through Integrated Nutrient Management. Further, special attention will be focussed on increasing production, value addition, marketing and export of oilseeds in the special oilseeds zone created in 2023-24 by integrating the 14 major oilseed growing districts. Plantation of neem seedlings is encouraged under the scheme on National Mission on Edible Oils – Tree Borne Oilseeds to improve the utilization of unutilised fallow lands for increasing the income of farmers. The financial assistance has also been extended for maintenance and intercropping in already cultivated fields during 2023-24 with an allocation of Rs.1.25 crore. The scheme will be continued in the year 2024-25 also. 1.3.5. Cotton Cotton, also known as White Gold, providing cotton fibre to textile industries is one 49 of the important commercial crops cultivated in Tamil Nadu. Cotton seeds which are rich in protein, play an important role in animal feed production. Cotton, playing a major role in the economy, is cultivated in a normal area of 1.5 lakh hectare with a production of 3.24 lakh bales in Tamil Nadu. The Sustainable Cotton Cultivation Mission with an allocation of Rs.11 crore, National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP) – Cotton with an allocation of Rupees One crore and Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) – Cotton with an allocation of Rs. 1.135 crore were implemented in the year 2023- 24, to increase the area, production and productivity of cotton. With an aim to increase the area under cotton cultivation to 1.78 lakh hectare and increase the production to 4.61 lakh bales in 2024-25, the Profitable Cotton Cultivation scheme with an allocation of Rs.11 crore, National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP) – Cotton at an outlay of Rs.1.50 crore and Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) – Cotton at an outlay of Rs.1.419 crore will be implemented. 50 1.4. Other Schemes in the Department of Agriculture. 1.4.1. Tamil Nadu State Seed Development Agency (TANSEDA) Quality seeds are the foundation for getting high yield. TANSEDA was established during 2015 with an objective to supply good quality seeds to the farmers at right seasons. This agency is undertaking important activities such as, procuring breeder seeds of notified varieties of agricultural crops, raising seed farms to produce foundation /certified seeds, and procuring the certified seeds from the seed farm ryots based on TANSEDA seed price policy for distribution of the quality seeds to the farmers. Seed production through 33 State Seed Farms (SSF), six State Oilseed Farms (SOSF), one State Pulses Multiplication Farm (SPMF), and processing of seeds through 108 Seed Processing Units (SPU) are the major activities of TANSEDA. During 2023-24, 26,347 MT of certified seeds were produced and distributed to farmers. It has been planned to procure and distribute 51 33,400 MT of quality seeds to the farmers during the year 2024-25. Figure: 1.3 – Seed Procurement and Distribution Plan in 2024-25 1.4.2. Seed Village Programme under Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting materials (SMSP) The main objective of the scheme is to encourage the farmers to produce quality seeds for getting higher yield. The foundation/certified seeds of paddy, millets, pulses and oilseeds are being distributed to the farmers at subsidized cost. 52  This scheme was implemented during 2023-24 with an allocation of Rs.32 crore. This scheme will be continued during 2024-25 also, for the benefit of the farmers. 1.4.3. Agricultural Extension Centres Agricultural Extension Centres act as integrated centres for stocking and distribution of seeds, other critical inputs, agricultural implements, plant protection equipments and also as advisory service centre, guiding from sowing to harvest to the farming community. About 383 main AECS are functioning at block level and 497 sub-centres at firka level, totaling to 880 Agricultural Extension Centres. Integrated Agriculture Extension Centres are functioning with the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, Seed Certification and Organic Certification and Agricultural Engineering under a single roof. About 220 were upgraded as Integrated Agricultural Extension Centres (IAECs) and construction of new buildings is in progress for 32 IAECs to provide all agriculture related 53 services to the farming community, out of 383 Main Agricultural Extension Centres. New buildings with required amenities were created for 205 Sub-Agricultural Extension Centres and construction of new buildings is in progress for 99 Sub-Agricultural Extension Centres, out of 497 Sub-Agricultural Extension Centres. 1.5. Plant Protection Plant Protection is protecting the crops from damages through the practice of managing pests and diseases by monitoring weather, weeds and pests and diseases, etc., By encouraging the farmers to adopt Integrated Pest Management technologies for all the crops, the incidences of pests and diseases can be controlled in time, besides minimising the cost of cultivation, protecting the environment also. Regular crop specific trainings on the incidences of pests and diseases and management measures are imparted to the farmers. Management advisories for incidences of pests and diseases are being provided through identification of them then and there 54 utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Uzhavar app via SMS. The infestation of pests and diseases is being regularly monitored at block level and precautionary measures are being provided in advance to the farmers. The Tamil Nadu government is pursuing concerted efforts to monitor and take precautionary activities for pest and disease incidences. 1.5.1. Bio – Pesticides and Bio-Control Agents The various natural bio-control agents like parasites, predators, fungi, bacteria, virus, predators and parasitoids which are identified as natural enemies for various pests are mass multiplied in the 22 bio-control laboratories, two Integrated Pest Management Centres and five Sugarcane Parasite Breeding Centres in Tamil Nadu and distributed to the farmers at subsidized cost and released in the infested field for effective and eco-friendly pest control. Besides, they play an important role in Integrated Pest Management, also help in reducing the usage of chemical pesticides. 55 Table: 1.8 - Details on Production and Distribution of Bio-Pesticides and Bio- Control Agents in 2023-24 Name of the of carrier based Bio-pesticides and Production and S.No. Bio-Control Agents Distribution 1. Trichoderma viride (Kg) 3,83,572 Pseudomonas fluorescens 3,95,605 2. (Kg) 3. Beauveria bassiana (Kg) 14,636 4. Trichogramma chilonis (cc) 55,954 5. Metarhizium anisopliae (Kg) 96,125 6. Chrysoperla Sp.(nos) 14,67,200 The scheme will be continued during 2024-25 also. Table: 1.9 – Bio-Control Laboratories, Integrated Pest Management Centres and Sugarcane Parasite Breeding Centres Integrat Sugarcane SI. Bio-Control ed Pest Parasite No District Lab Manage Breeding ment Centre Centre 1 Villupuram Villupuram Villupuram 2 Salem Seelanaikkan - - patti 3 Namakkal Namakkal - Mohanur 56  Integrat Sugarcane SI. ed Pest Bio-Control Manage Parasite No District Lab Breeding ment Centre Centre 4 Dharmapuri Papparapatti - - 5 Coimbatore Coimbatore - - 6 Erode Bhavani - Gopichettipalay am 7 Thiruppur - - Udumalaipet 8 Trichy Trichy - - 9 Thanjavur Kattuthottam - Thanjavur 10 Thirunelveli Palayankottai - - 11 Kanchipuram - Panjupet - tai 12 Madurai Vinayagapura Vinayaga - m puram 13 Pudukottai Annavasal - - 14 Tiruvallur Madhavaram - - 15 Karur Karur - - 16 Ariaylur Tirumanur - - 17 Perambalur Perambalur - - 18 Tiruvarur Mannargudi - - 19 Virudhunagar Virudhunagar - - 20 Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamal - - ai 21 Vellore Vellore - - 22 Kanyakumari Kozhiporvilai - - 23 Dindigul Natham - - 24 Cuddalore Panruti - - 57 1.6. Fertiliser Annually, 22 lakh MT of chemical fertilisers are being utilized in Tamil Nadu. Fertiliser is the major critical input for ensuring production and productivity of crops. The state government is also encouraging the farmers for use of green manures, bio-fertilisers and organic fertilisers to maintain soil health, thereby reducing the cost of inputs, ensuring the welfare of farmers. The Department of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India is assessing the fertilizer requirements of the states by conducting regional meetings prior to cultivation in Kharif and Rabi Seasons and allocating the fertilisers based on the demands. Accordingly, Government of India has allocated 4.91 lakh MT of Urea, 1.40 lakh MT of DAP, 1.04 lakh MT of Potash and 4.54 lakh MT of complex fertilisers to Tamil Nadu for the Kharif, 2024 season. 58 Table : 1.10 – Details of Year wise Distribution Distribution of Fertiliser Fertilizer (lakh MT) 2022 - 23 2023 – 24 UREA 10.96 10.11 DAP 3.11 2.64 MOP 1.59 1.63 NPK COMPLEX 6.82 7.24 Total 22.48 21.62 During, 2023-24 the State Government has sanctioned Rs.125 crore to TANFED as interest- free Ways and Means advance for the purchase of all kinds of fertilisers and to preposition and ensure the timely availability of fertilisers to the farmers. 1.7 Quality Control Laboratories The prime duty of the department is to ensure the availability of quality fertilisers, bio-fertilisers and insecticides to the farmers. In Tamil Nadu, 14 Fertilizer Control Laboratories 59 (FCL),12 Pesticides Testing Laboratories (PTL), three State Pesticides Testing Laboratory cum Coding Centres, two Organic Fertilizer Testing Laboratories (OFTL) are functioning to ensure it. Besides these, Bio-Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratory (BFQCL) and Bio-Control Agents Quality Control Laboratory (BCAQCL) at Tiruchirapalli and Central Control Laboratory at Pudukkottai are also functioning. 1.7.1 Activities of Fertilizer Control Laboratories, Pesticide Testing Laboratories and Bio-control agents Quality Control Laboratories Table: 1.11 – Details on analysis of Fertilizer Organic Fertilizer and Bio- fertilizer Samples 2023 - 24 Non- 2024- Sl. Details Target Achievement Standard 25 No samples Target Fertilizer 1 samples 24,600 25,962 670 24,600 Organic 2 Fertiliser 1,440 1,506 87 1,440 samples 60  2023 - 24 Non- 2024- Sl. Details Target Achievement Standard 25 No samples Target Bio- 3 Fertilizer 1,040 1,174 11 1,040 samples Moreover, action is being pursued to get ISO 17025:2017 NABL Accreditation during the year 2024-25 for all the 14 Fertilizer Control Laboratories. Moreover, action will be initiated to get NABL accreditation for 2 Organic Fertilizer Testing Laboratories and Bio-Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratory also. Table: 1.12 – Details on analysis of Pesticides samples 2023 - 24 Mis- 2024- S. Details Target Achieve branded 25 No ment samples Target Pesticides 1 21,850 22,474 166 21,850 samples Action has been initiated to get NABL accreditation for the remaining 10 Pesticides 61 Testing Laboratories as done for Coimbatore and Kancheepuram laboratories. The departmental and legal actions are being perused on the manufacturing firms whose fertilisers and pesticide samples were identified as non-standard. It is planned to test bio-control agents produced like Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas flouresecens, Beauveria as per “The Insecticides Act, 1968” in the new Bio-Control Agents Quality Control Laboratory at Tiruchirapalli during the year 2024 - 25. 1.8. Soil Health Management 1.8.1. Soil Testing Laboratories The crop-specific fertilizer application, use of other fertilisers and soil improvement activities based on soil testing are essential to increase production and productivity in crops and to increase farmers' income. For this, 36 Soil Testing Laboratories and 16 Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories in Tamil Nadu are analysing 62 soil samples and irrigation water samples and the test results are being provided to the farmers through Soil Health Cards. In Soil Health and Fertility Scheme, a new Soil Testing Laboratory at Mayiladuthurai and Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories in Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Cuddalore, Vellore and Coimbatore districts have been set up for the benefit of the farmers. Also, 3.92 lakh Soil Health Cards have been distributed to the farmers in various schemes like Kalaingnar All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme, Micro Irrigation Scheme etc., during 2023-24. About, 45,400 irrigation water samples have also been tested. About 3.33 lakh soil samples will be tested in the National Agricultural Development Programme-Soil Health and Soil Fertility during the year 2024-25. 1.8.2. Tamil Mannvalam A separate website named “Tamil Mannvalam” was launched on 28.06.2023 by the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Through this website, every farmer by selecting 63 the survey number and also through the geo referencing of their lands, is able to know the land type, soil type, groundwater classification, soil alkalinity and acidic level, available soil nutrients and also the appropriate fertilizer and crop recommendations. Soil test result data of 40 lakh survey numbers have been uploaded in this website. Also, the test result data of elite soil samples received directly from the farmers are also arranged to be uploaded in this website. 1.9. Micro Nutrient Mixture Production Centre It is essential to supply quality micronutrient mixtures to the farmers to rectify the deficiencies of micronutrients in the soil for getting high yields. For this, the Micronutrient Mixture production unit functioning at Pudukottai will produce 14 types of essential Micronutrient Mixtures to the tune of 3,300 MT / year which will be distributed to the farmers. 64  In 2024-25 also, 3,300 MT of Micronutrient Mixture will be produced. 1.10. Bio - Fertilisers Production Units The role of soil microbes is indispensable, to preserve the soil health and soil fertility. In Tamil Nadu, about 12.10 lakh litre of nine strains of liquid bio-fertilisers are being produced annually in 22 Bio-fertilizer Production units to improve the soil health and fertility. This scheme will be continued during the year 2024-25 also with annual production of 12.10 lakh litre of liquid bio-fertilisers. 1.11. Sub – Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE) – Support to State Extension Programmes for Extension Reforms Scheme (SSEPERS) – ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Centre) The Sub-Mission on Agricultural extension scheme is implemented with the co-ordinated efforts of Departments of Agriculture, 65 Horticulture and Plantation crops, Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Forestry, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, Seed Certification and Organic Certification, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu University for Veterinary and Animal Sciences and Tamil Nadu Fisheries University to deliver integrated approaches of the improved farming practices to the farmers through various activities of ATMA to increase production. Agricultural Technology Management Agency has been established in each district to study, plan, co-ordinate and implement the activities and the scheme is being implemented at village level. 1.11.1. ATMA activities - 2023-24 Trainings, exposure visits, demonstrations, farm schools and other activities of ATMA have been implemented and expenditure to the tune of Rs.52.35 crore has been made benefitting 4,15,235 farmers. 66 Table: 1.13 Training provided to the farmers and number of farmers benefitted during 2023-24 No.of Farmers S. Components activities Benefitted No (Nos) (Nos) 1. Within the state training 100 4,000 2. Within the district training 7,846 3,12,760 3. Interstate exposure visit 380 6,740 4. Within the state exposure 1,118 56,750 visit 5. Within the district 84 4,200 exposure visit 6. Demonstration 13,185 13,185 7. Farm school 704 17,600 Total 23,417 4,15,235 This scheme will be continued during the year 2024-25 also. 1.12. Farmers Facilitation Centres 1.12.1. Farmers Training Centres: Twenty two (22) Farmers Training Centres (FTC) are functioning in the state. FTCs have imparted periodical training to farmers, conveners and farm women on best farm management practices with latest technologies 67 with an allocation of Rs.17 lakh during 2023-24. The trainings will be provided through FTCs in the year 2024-25 also. Table: 1.14 - Farmers Training Centres S. No District Location 1 Kancheepuram Kancheepuram 2 Villupuram Tindivanam 3 Vellore Vellore 4 Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai 5 Salem Salem 6 Namakkal Namakkal 7 Dharmapuri Dharmapuri 8 Krishnagiri Krishnagiri 9 Erode Erode 10 Tiruchirapalli Tiruchirapalli 11 Perambalur Perambalur 12 Karur Karur 13 Pudukkottai Kudumianmalai 14 Thanjavur Sakkottai 68  S. No District Location 15 Theni Theni 16 Dindigul Dindigul 17 Ramanathapuram Paramakudi 18 Sivagangai Sivagangai 19 Virudhunagar Virudhunagar 20 Tirunelveli Palayamkottai 21 Thoothukudi Thoothukudi 22 Kanyakumari Nagercoil 1.12.2. State Agricultural Extension Management Institute (STAMIN), Kudumianmalai: The State Agricultural Extension Management Institute provides training to the extension officials and ministerial staff working in Agriculture department about latest technologies, administration, extension management and computer skills. Around 750 personnel have been trained with a financial allocation of Rs.19.62 lakh during 2023-24. This 69 scheme will be continued during the year 2024-25 also. 1.12.3. State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) Kudumianmalai: The agriculture and allied department officials were provided with trainings in Support to State Extension Programme for Extension Reforms Scheme. The Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Extension Management (PGDAEM) course, Diploma in Agricultural Extension services for Input Dealers (DAESI), Certificate Course on Insecticide Management for Pesticide Dealers / Distributors, Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY), and Certified Farm Advisor course for Extension Officials and also Certificate Course on Integrated Nutrient Management for Fertilizer Dealers (CCINM) are given and monitored by this institute in collaboration with National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) and National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) at Hyderabad. During 2023-24, 330 technical officers were trained at an outlay of Rs 9.90 lakh. This 70 scheme will be continued during the year 2024-25 also. 1.12.4. Water Management Training Centre (WMTC) The training on irrigation and water saving technologies is imparted to 132 field functionaries and 615 farmers at Water Management Training Centre (WMTC) functioning at Vinayagapuram, Madurai district at a cost of Rs.20 lakh. This scheme will be continued during year 2024-25 also. 1.13. Disaster Management Agriculture is frequently affected by natural disasters like flood, drought and cyclone which have severe impact on production and productivity of the crops. However, the state government is taking sincere efforts to help farmers continue agriculture by timely release of agricultural input subsidy under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) as relief Assistance for the crop losses during the times of misery thereby protecting the livelihood of farmers. 71  During the year 2023, the government sanctioned an amount of Rs.284.94 crore for extending SDRF input subsidy to 3.96 lakh farmers whose agricultural crops were damaged in an area of seven lakh acre due to hailstorm, yield loss in Kuruvai paddy due to insufficient irrigation water, yield loss in maize due to insufficient rainfall during South West Monsoon, Michaung cyclone and heavy rainfall in southern districts. 1.14. Formation of Agriculture Zonal Committees for farmers welfare The State Government has constituted seven Agriculture Zonal Committees under the chairmanship of Director of Agriculture and Director of Horticulture and Plantation crops comprising District Collectors, officials from the department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Plantation crops, Agricultural Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Public Works Department / Water Resources Department, Pollution Control Board, Forest Department, Farmers and Environmental Experts. 72  The committee is a platform to discuss and solve issues related to Agriculture, natural calamities, pollution, land acquisition for new projects and current issues faced by the farmers. During the year 2023-24, zonal committee meetings were held in Southern Zone and High Rainfall Zone. The zonal committees will continue to function in 2024-25 also. 1.15. Kisan Credit Card Scheme (KCC) Kisan Credit card scheme was introduced during the year 1998 with an objective of providing timely credit support to the famers through Nationalized, Co-operative and Regional Rural Banks. The individual farmers and tenant farmers are also eligible to avail benefit under Kisan Credit Card scheme. Under this scheme, farmers are given collateral free loan upto Rs.1.6 lakh based on the extent of land holding and extent of crop. So far, 32 lakh Kisan Credit Cards (including renewal) have been issued to the farmers. This scheme will be continued in the year 2024-25 also. 73 1.16. Providing three phase free electricity to farmers Since 1990, Tamil Nadu Government is providing three phase free electricity to the farmers. So far, 23.56 lakh number of electricity connections have been issued, including 1 lakh connections given in 2021-22, 50,000 connections given in 2022-23 and 18,975 connections given in 2023-24. In the year 2023- 24, an amount of Rs.6,990.79 crore was spent to provide free electricity to the farmers for the connections given up to 2023-24. The scheme will be continued in 2024-25 also. 1.17. Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project (TNIAMP) The Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization [TNIAM] Project is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture with the World Bank assistance, to enhance productivity, avoidance of monocropping, climate resilience of irrigated agriculture and improving water management in selected 51 sub-basins of Tamil Nadu from 2017-18 with an allocation of Rs.84.15 crore. 74  In 2024-25, Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project will be implemented in 51 selected sub-basins in four phases with interventions such as crop demonstrations, Farmer Field School, Seed Villages, Integrated Nutrient Management, Agricultural Mechanization, Capacity building trainings and Model Village programme with a total allocation of Rs.9.13 crore. 1.18 Awards bestowed in Agriculture Department The Tamil Nadu Government is encouraging the farmers by conducting crop yield competitions and giving various special awards, thereby encouraging other farmers to obtain high productivity by adopting technologies which give better yield. Table: 1.15 - Details of Awards. S. Details of Awards General Details of No Particulars Prize amount 1 “Thiru.C.Narayanasamy Encouraging farmers Rs. Five lakh Naidu Award for Highest to get Highest Paddy Cash Prize and Paddy Productivity” productivity through a silver medal. System of Rice Intensification. 75 2 Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R Encouraging Farmers First prize - Traditional Paddy Variety to cultivate and Rs.One lakh, Conservator Award preserve traditional Second prize - paddy varieties Rs.75,000 /- Third prize - Rs.50,000/- 3 Award to farmers who Encouraging the First Prize – excel in performance for farmers getting Rs.2.5 lakh highest production at highest production state level in cumbu, green Second Prize – gram, blackgram, Rs.1.5 lakh redgram, kudiraivali, samai, thenai, ragi, Third Prize – groundnut, gingelly Rs.1.00 lakh and sugarcane totaling 11 crops Three prizes per each crop 4 District level Crop Yield Competition i) Paddy, Groundnut, Motivating the First prize Sugarcane and Cotton farmers to obtain 15,000/- high productivity by adopting the Second prize - technologies 10,000/- ii) Cholam, Cumbu , Maize, First prize - Blackgram, Redgram, 10,000/- and Greengram Second prize - 5,000/- 5 Awards to districts for Highest production First, Second highest Food grain against the food and Third prize (a) production grain target at state level selection of winners based on the results of the Crop Cutting Experiments (b) Award for Food grain Encouraging Block Award to each crops like paddy, Extension officials crop totalling cholam, cumbu, ragi, for getting highest 76  blackgram and green productivity. to six awards gram Selection of winners based on the results of the Crop cutting Experiments 1.19. Crop Insurance The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is implemented in Tamil Nadu with an objective to support the farmers financially at the time of occurrence of unforeseen eventualities like flood, drought, cyclone, heavy rains resulting in crop loss. The scheme was implemented as a 60:130 Co-insurance model in 14 clusters covering 37 districts with approved insurance companies in Tamil Nadu, during 2023-24. Considering the interest and welfare of farmers in the state, Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has extended the cut-off date for enrolment in concurrence with Government of India for Samba paddy, rice fallow cotton and sugarcane crops of Special and Rabi Seasons. 77  The state Government also has so far settled an amount of Rs.439.31 crore as state share of premium to the Insurance Companies. Due to the concerted efforts taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the insurance companies have settled a compensation claim amount of Rs.104.27 crore to 67,332 farmers for prevented sowing in Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai districts, for yield losses in Tirunelveli and Cuddalore districts and for localized calamities in Thoothukudi district during 2023-24. Necessary measures have been taken to settle the claim amount for Samba paddy shortly under yield loss approach to the eligible farmers through National Crop Insurance portal. The scheme will be implemented during 2024-25 with a budget allocation of Rs.1,775 crore. 78 1.20. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi PM -KISAN Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- KISAN), with 100% funding from Government of India is under implementation in Tamil Nadu. An income support of Rs.6,000/-per year is being transferred directly to the bank accounts of the eligible farmer families having own cultivable lands in three equal installments. Till date, an amount of Rs.10,435.87 crore has been transferred directly into the bank accounts of 21.39 lakh farmers through DBT mode in sixteen installments. The scheme will be implemented during the year 2024-25 also. 1.21. Staff Structure in Department of Agriculture The Department of Agriculture is functioning with a total staff strength of 10,525 staff as technical officers, ministerial and other staff. 79 Table: 1.16 – Technical Officers Sl. Sanctioned Name of the Post No Strength 1 Additional Director of Agriculture 5 2 Joint Director of Agriculture 37 3 Deputy Director of Agriculture 132 4 Assistant Director of Agriculture 424 5 Agricultural Officer 1,060 6 Deputy Agricultural Officer 337 7 Assistant Seed Officer 509 8 Assistant Agricultural Officer 2,320 Total Technical Officers 4,824 Table: 1.17 - Ministerial and Other Staff Sl. Sanctioned Name of the Post No Strength 1 Deputy Director (Administration) 2 2 Administrative Officer 34 3 Superintendent 185 4 Assistant 642 5 Junior Assistant 388 6 Typist 366 7 Superintendent (Security) 148 8 Assistant (Security) 249 9 Junior Assistant (Security) 572 10 Steno Typist (Grade - 1) 1 11 Steno Typist (Grade - 2) 39 12 Steno Typist (Grade - 3) 95 13 Driver 292 14 Laboratory Assistant 143 15 Record Clerk 157 16 Office Assistant 586 80 Sl. Sanctioned Name of the Post No Strength 17 Watchman 1,133 18 Telephone Operator 2 19 Other Staff 667 Total Ministerial and other 5,701 staff 81  2. Department of Sugar “க எ ர க எ.” -ஐ (55) Aingurunuru states that “the sound of the crushing of sugar can drown the trumpet of the elephant”. To give special attention to the welfare of sugarcane farmers and to increase the efficiency of sugar mills, the Department of Sugar has been brought under the Agriculture – Farmers Welfare Department from 2022. Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation Limited and Tamil Nadu Cooperative Sugar Federation Limited are functioning under the Department of Sugar. Various measures are being taken by the Department of Sugar viz., to increase the productivity of sugarcane, reducing the cost of cultivation of sugarcane. The department also, looks into setting up new sugar mills, expansion of sugar mills, allotment of sugarcane area to sugar mills, monitoring and control of all sugar mills including co-operative/public sector sugar mills in Tamil Nadu. 82  Sugarcane is the raw material for the production of sugar, value-added sugar, alcohol, ethanol, paper, electricity, natural fertilizer etc. There are totally 40 sugar mills in Tamil Nadu, 16 are co-operative sugar mills, 2 are public sector sugar mills and 22 are private sugar mills. Out of these, 30 sugar mills, 12 co-operative sugar mills, 2 public sector sugar mills and 16 Private sugar mills are carrying out crushing operations during 2023-24 crushing season. 2.1. Sugarcane Cultivation In Tamil Nadu, more than 1.50 lakh farmers are cultivating sugarcane crop. Sugarcane crop and sugar mills play a major role in the upliftment of rural people. The sugar industry directly and indirectly provides employment to the people. Tamil Nadu ranks 4th in sugar production in India. The decreasing trend in Tamil Nadu sugar production has changed and in the 2022-23 crushing season, the sugar production is 14.74 lakh MT which meets the state demand of 15 lakh MT. In Tamil Nadu sugarcane is cultivated at an average area of 1.59 lakh ha with an average 83 yield of 111 MT/ha. In Tamil Nadu 65 to 75 percent of sugarcane produced is used as raw material for sugar mills. Table:2.1. Top 10 Sugarcane Cultivating Districts S. Productio Area Productivit N District n (lakh (Ha) y (MT/ha) o MT) 25,73 1 Kallakurichi 28.86 112 1 19,64 2 Erode 22.66 115 4 Tiruvannamala 17,69 3 17.19 97 i 9 15,99 4 Villupuram 18.35 115 2 15,91 5 Cuddalore 20.10 126 8 10,62 6 Namakkal 12.75 120 5 7 Salem 5,828 6.98 120 8 Ariyalur 4,403 3.29 75 84 9 Tiruvallur 4,264 4.90 115 10 Dharmapuri 4,217 5.44 129 (Source: Department of Economics and Statistics 2022-23,Government of Tamil Nadu) 2.1.1. Sugarcane registration area for sugar mills The sugarcane registered area for co- operative and public sector sugar mills has decreased from 55,000 ha in 2022-23 crushing season to 50,000 ha in 2023-24 crushing season. In this situation, the Government is taking continuous measures to increase the sugarcane cultivation area, the sugarcane registered area for 2023-24 crushing season. It has decreased slightly compared to the previous season due to less rainfall and sudden outbreak of pest and disease. However, this area is more than the area of 2020-2021 crushing season. 85  Figure:2.1. Sugarcane registered area for Co-operative and Public sector sugar mills for past four planting seasons 2.1.2. Sugarcane Varieties In Tamil Nadu, Co 86032 variety is cultivated in 47 percent area, CoV 09356 variety in 35 percent area, Co 11015 variety in 8 percent area, other varieties in 10 percent area. To popularize the new sugarcane varieties among the farmers, seedlings for Co 11015, CoC 13339, CoG 6, CoG 7, Co 18009 (Punnakai) and rejuvenated Co 86032 are being produced in nurseries run by the co-operative and public sector sugar mills and distributed. 86  Figure: 2.2. Sugarcane varieties cultivated in Tamil Nadu 2.1.3. Sugarcane Price and Special Incentives The sugarcane price was stagnant from 2015-16 crushing season to 2019-20 crushing season at Rs.2,750/- per MT. Considering this, the Government of Tamil Nadu has announced a special incentive at Rs.192.50/- over and above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) from 2020-21 crushing season. The special incentive has been increased to Rs.195/- in 2021-22 and 2022-23 crushing seasons resulting sugarcane price has been increased to Rs.3,016/- in 2022- 23 crushing season. For 2023-24 crushing 87 season, special incentive of Rs.215/MT has been announced by the Government of Tamil Nadu over and above the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) because of which the sugar cane price has increased to Rs.3,135/MT and an amount of Rs.250 crore has been allocated for this purpose. Figure:2.3 Sugarcane Price and special incentives provided to the sugarcane farmers in Tamil Nadu (in Rupees)  Special Incentive  Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) Special incentive for sugarcane production announced by the state government are directly disbursed to the bank accounts of the farmers. 88 Table:2.2. Details of incentive disbursed to the farmers Year Amount Disbursed No. of (Rs. in cr) beneficiary Farmers 2021-22 150.90 91,120 2022-23 214.23 1,20,769 2023-24 258.86 1,41,968 TOTAL 623.99 3,53,857 2.1.4. Sugarcane Cultivation Development Programme 2.1.4.1 National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP) In order to increase the sugarcane cultivation area and sugar recovery, breeder seed material, tissue culture seedlings, budchip seedlings and single bud sets of high-yielding, high-sugar recovery varieties have been provided at a subsidized rate under National Agricultural Development Programme (NADP). The scheme has been implemented in the year 2023-24 at a cost of Rs.3.70 crore. The scheme will be implemented in 2024-25 at an estimated cost of Rs.7.91 crore. 89 2.1.4.2 Kalaignarin All Villages Integrated Agriculture Development Programme (KAVIADP) In order to achieve the overall development in the village panchayats of Kalaignarin All Villages Integrated Agriculture Development Programme and to increase the sugarcane cultivation area and sugar recovery, budchip seedlings and single bud setts of high- yielding, of high-sugar recovery varieties are provided to the farmers at a subsidized rate. The scheme has been implemented in the year 2023- 24 at a cost of Rs.25 lakh. The scheme will be implemented in 2024-25 at an estimated cost of Rs.25 lakh. 2.1.5 Micro Irrigation For setting up drip irrigation in sugarcane cultivation, 100% subsidy to small and marginal farmers and 75% subsidy to other farmers are given. A special fund of Rs.32,715 to Rs.43,534 per hectare has been allocated from the state funds for procurement of equipment required for setting up drip irrigation. In 2023-24, drip irrigation has been installed at an area of 1,432 90 ha and 1,335 farmers were benefited. In 2024- 25, it is planned to conduct 200 training programme for the farmers to popularize the wider row planting and drip irrigation. 2.1.6 Sugarcane Harvesters In order to address the problems in sugarcane harvesting and to harvest the sugarcane at a lower cost, 119 sugarcane harvesters are provided upto the year 2023-24. Funds are allocated and the scheme is implemented through the Department of Agricultural Engineering. To promote mechanization from land preparation to harvesting, necessary training is provided to the sugarcane farmers. So far, 34% of the sugarcane area has been brought under wider row cultivation to facilitate mechanization. 2.1.7. Wild Boar Repellent In Tamil Nadu, crop damage caused due to wild boar in sugarcane cultivation is increasing every year. Considering the continuous demand of the sugarcane farmers of Cooperative and Public Sector sugar mills, the “Wild Boar 91 Repellent” produced by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) was provided to 2,000 hectares with a subsidy of Rs.2,250/- per hectare at a cost of Rs.45 lakh. 2.1.8 Training to the Sugarcane Farmers Under ATMA scheme, trainings will be provided to 8,000 progressive sugarcane farmers on sugarcane mechanization from land preparation to harvest at a cost of Rs.20 lakh and trainings to Farmer Producer Groups (FPOs) and Women Self-Help Groups on production of quality budchip seedlings under shade net at a cost of Rs.10 lakh. 2.2 Development schemes implemented in sugar mills Co-operative and public sector sugar mills are recovering from loss due to various improvement schemes taken by Tamil Nadu Government. Five sugar mills namely Kallakurichi-2, Subramania Siva, Dharmapuri, Perambalur, Chengalrayan have become profitable in the 2022-23 crushing season. 92 2.2.1 Automatic weighment system Automatic weigh bridges have been set up in 13 cooperative and two public sector sugar mills at a cost of Rs.1.50 crore and this is used for accurate weighing of sugarcane loads and the weighment data is sent instantly via text message to the concerned farmers. 2.2.2 Modern laboratory Modern laboratories have been set up in 13 cooperative and two public sector sugar mills at a cost of Rs.3 crore. Through this, the quantum of sugar in sugarcane is accurately and quickly analyzed and the percentage of sugar is calculated. 2.2.3. Laying of cement concrete cane yard For the easy movement of cane-loaded vehicles and parking of more vehicles, concrete cane yards were constructed at a cost of Rs.2.12 crore in 2023-24 at Cheyyar, Chengalrayan, Madurantakam, Salem, Tiruttani, Arignar Anna and Perambalur Sugar Mills. In 2024-25, concrete cane yard will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.8.78 crore in 10 93 cooperative and two public sector sugar and press mud composting yard in four cooperative and one public sector sugar mill will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.2.67 crore. 2.2.4.Rotating Hydraulic Tippler During the year 2023-24, rotating hydraulic tipplers have been set up in Vellore, MRK and Arignar Anna sugar mills at a cost of Rs.1.50 crore. In the year 2024-25, a rotating hydraulic tippler will be installed in Dharmapuri District Cooperative Sugar Mill at an estimated cost of Rs.56 lakh. 2.2.5. Conversion of Press mud into enriched manure through Bio composting Press mud is a major waste produced in sugar mills. To conserve the soil fertility, to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and to convert the press mud into nutrient-rich fertilisers through bio-composting. This project has been implemented at the Salem Cooperative Sugar Mill at a cost of Rs.1.50 crore. 94 2.2.6 Wage Revision to the employees of Sugar Mills The demand for wage revision for the employees of co-operative and public sector sugar mills was considered by the Government, and orders were issued for implementing the wage revision from 01.10.2018 with the hike of 35%. 2.3 Performance of sugar mills 2.3.1 Sugarcane crushing in Co-operative and Public sector sugar mills Due to various measures taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu the quantity of sugarcane crushed in the sugar mills has increased from 25.96 lakh MT in 2020-21 crushing season to 40.97 lakh MT in 2022-23 crushing season. About 32.48 lakh MT is expected to be crushed during 2023-24 crushing season. Inspite of various measures taken to increase the area under sugarcane cultivation, the quantity of sugarcane crushed in the 2023- 24 crushing season has decreased slightly compared to the previous season due to less 95 rainfall and sudden outbreak of pest and disease. Figure: 2.4. Sugarcane crushing details of Cooperative and Public Sector Sugar Mills Crushing Season 2.3.2 Sugar Recovery in Co-operative and Public Sector Sugar Mills. The sugar recovery in sugar mills in Tamil Nadu has constantly been at a level of less than 9%. Due to various measures taken by the Government, the average sugar recovery of sugar mills has reached a maximum of 9.29% in 2022-23 crushing season after 11 years. During 2023-24 crushing season, in view of factors like less rainfall and climate change, the average 96 sugar recovery of cooperative and public sector sugar mills is expected to be at 8.90%. Figure: 2.5. Sugar Recovery of Co-operative and Public Sector Sugar Mills (%) Crushing Season 2.3.3 Capacity Utilization of Co-operative and Public sector Sugar Mills The capacity utilization of cooperative and public sector sugar mills has increased from 32% in 2019-20 crushing season to 56% in 2022-23 crushing season. In the 2023-24 crushing season the capacity utilization is expected to be at 53%. 97  Figure: 2.6. Capacity Utilization of of Co-operative and Public Sector Sugar Mills (%) 2.3.4 Co-generation Project In order to reduce the cost of production and increase the income of cooperative and public sector sugar mills, rejuvenation of sugar mills has been undertaken and Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) has undertaken installation of 12 co-generation projects with a total production capacity of 183 MW. So far, seven plants (Chengalrayan, Vellore, Cheyyar, Aringnar Anna, Perambalur, Dharmapuri and MRK) with 108 MW capacity co-generation power plants have been 98 constructed and commissioned. The Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) is taking steps to complete and commission the pending co-generation projects in five cooperative sugar mills by 2024-25. During 2023-24 crushing season, 8.45 crore units of surplus electricity generated has been exported to the grid of TANGEDCO from the existing operational co-generation plants. Figure: 2.7. Details of electricity exported through seven Co-generation projects 2.3.5 Ethanol Production Distilleries were set up at Amaravati and Salem cooperative sugar mills in 1993-94 with a 99 production capacity of 55 KLPD. The ethanol plants with a production capacity of 30 KLPD have been constructed and started commissioning since 2007. In 2023-24, 84.49 lakh litres of rectified spirit and 44.29 lakh litres of ethanol were produced. A Detailed Project Report for setting up of 60 KLPD ethanol plant using sugarcane juice and B heavy molasses as raw material at Kallakurichi-1 and MRK cooperative sugar mills has been received from National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills, New Delhi and environmental clearance has also been obtained. Efforts are being made to obtain funds from financial institutions to set up the ethanol plant. 2.4. Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation Limited The Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation Limited was established in 1974 as a public sector undertaking and registered under the Companies Act (1956). The corporation is working with the aim of setting up new sugar mills, expansion of 100 existing sugar mills, technical consultancy implementation of projects using by-products produced in co-operative and public sector sugar mills in Tamil Nadu, etc. Arinagar Anna Sugar Mill at Kurungulam, Thanjavur District and Perambalur Sugar Mill at Eraiyur, Perambalur District are the units of Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation. Table 2.3: Performance of TASCO Sugar Mills Arignar Anna Perambalur Sugar Sl. Sugar Mill Mill Particulars No. 2022- 2023- 2022- 2023- 23 24 23 24 Cane 1 Registration 2,274 874 4,272 1,415 (Ha) Cane 2 Crushing 2,46,001 2,04,123 3,43,722 2,39,152 (MT) Sugar 3 Recovery 8.96 7.90 9.66 8.51 (%) Sugar 4 Production 21,972 16,091 33,137 20,289 (MT) Capacity 5 Utilisation 57.21 47.47 66.61 46.35 (%) 101 2.5. Tamil Nadu Cooperative Sugar Federation (TNCSF) Tamil Nadu Cooperative Sugar Federation was registered on 11.11.1961 and started functioning from 31.05.1962. 16 cooperative sugar mills and two public sector sugar mills in Tamil Nadu are its members. Tamil Nadu Cooperative Sugar Federation undertakes co- ordinating the activities of the member sugar mills, providing technical advice, centralized procurement, sale of sugar and by-products, acting as representative of the member sugar mills in National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories and other organizations, training for functional capacity building of the mills etc., 2.5.1 Main Bio-Control Research Laboratory (MBRL) Main Bio-Control Research Laboratory, Chengalpattu is functioning from 1982 as a unit of Tamil Nadu Cooperative Sugar Fe