Tamil Nadu Agriculture Development 2023-24 PDF

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. Thos...

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