T.N. Agriculture Budget: Price support for tomato, onion; green manure push
The Tamil Nadu government presented its Agriculture Budget on Thursday, introducing a price support scheme for tomatoes and onions to shield farmers from sudden price crashes. The budget also prioritises green manure crops to improve soil health and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.
The proposed price support mechanism will function on lines similar to the Union government's Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for mangoes, according to P. Shankar, Agriculture Secretary and Agriculture Production Commissioner. He told reporters after the budget presentation that modalities are being worked out, drawing on the experience of the mango scheme. Under the MIS for mango, pulp factories are notified as temporary regulated markets during the season, with transactions monitored by Horticulture and Revenue department officials. Dr. Shankar said the government is deciding whether to purchase crops outright or compensate farmers for the difference between production cost and market price.
The budget announces a Market Intervention Scheme – Price Stabilisation Revolving Fund (MIS-PSRF), to be created by the Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board with a state contribution of ₹4.26 crore. The fund aims to protect farmers growing perishable commodities like tomatoes and onions from price volatility.
In a separate initiative, the government has allocated ₹63.5 crore to promote green manure cultivation. Seeds of Sunn Hemp, Daincha, and Kolinji will be distributed to farmers for sowing on about one lakh acres. An additional 22,000 acres will be covered with multi-grain crop seeds. After about a month, the crops will be ploughed back into the soil to enhance fertility. Farmers will receive a subsidy of ₹3,000 per acre for this practice.
The budget also focuses on agricultural modernisation through the Vetri Vaanmagal scheme, which proposes training 500 persons, including 100 women, as drone operators. The training aims to address labour shortages in fertiliser and pesticide spraying and crop monitoring. Drone pilot licences will be provided through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Half of the trained women will receive a 50% subsidy to purchase drones and will be supported during the initial phase, Dr. Shankar said. The allocation for this programme is ₹2.5 crore.
Responding to a question on the potential impact of a Super El Nino, Dr. Shankar said the department is preparing district-wise contingency plans to manage rainfall shortages. However, he noted that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), another climate driver, is predicted to enter a positive phase, which could bring copious rainfall to the state. The government's approach combines immediate relief measures with long-term soil conservation strategies, reflecting a broader effort to stabilise agricultural incomes and promote sustainable farming practices.
