Edition

English

News
City News
chennai News
Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025 Live Updates: Rs 42 crore allocated to set up 1,000 CM farmers service centres

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 15, 2025, 12:06:08 IST

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025 Live Updates: Rs 42 crore allocated to set up 1,000 CM farmers service centres

12:06 (IST) Mar 15

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025: Edapadi Palaniswami at secretariat after budget

Leader of opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edapadi Palaniswami at secretariat after the TN agriculture budget session

11:19 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Under the chief minister’s Solar-Powered Pumpset Scheme for 2025-26, 1,000 farmers will receive solar-powered pumpsets with subsidy assistance—70% for small, marginal, SC, and ST farmers, and 60% for others—at an outlay of Rs 24 crore.

11:17 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 215.8 crore boost for farm mechanization

Support for small & marginal farmers: To aid small and marginal farmers in carrying out agricultural operations on their land, 7,900 power tillers and 6,000 power weeders will be distributed.
Farm mechanization boost: An Agricultural Mechanization Scheme will be implemented with an outlay of ₹215.80 crore in 2025-26, benefiting 17,000 farmers by enhancing access to modern farming equipment.
Affordable machinery rentals: A total of 603 agricultural machines, including tractors and tractor-operated implements, will be procured and made available for hire at nominal charges through the e-Vaadagai mobile app. ₹17.37 crore has been allocated for this initiative.

11:14 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Boost for Jasmine cultivation, Rs 1.6 crore allocated

Jasmine, a flower deeply rooted in Tamil culture since the Sangam era, holds a special place in Madurai's identity. Currently cultivated across 42,000 acres in Tamil Nadu, yielding two lakh metric tonnes, jasmine farming will be further promoted in 2025-26. An allocation of ₹1.6 crore will support the expansion of jasmine cultivation over 3,000 acres, benefiting 7,000 farmers.

11:12 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: A Tamil Nadu Cashew Board will be established with an outlay of Rs 10 crore, benefiting cashew farmers and rural communities involved in related activities.

11:12 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: A special scheme for spices and condiments will be implemented across 17,500 acres, benefiting 23,000 farmers, with an allocation of Rs 11.74 crore.

Daily Puzzles

Connect

The Perfect Trace

Play Now

Loop The Loop

Puzzle Circuit

Play Now

Daily Crossword

Special puzzle

Play Now

Classic Matrix

Number Play

Play Now

Mini Crossword

Lite Challenge

Play Now

11:10 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Big push for traditional crops & onion storage with Rs 20.4 crore boost

To promote the cultivation of traditional vegetable varieties, a special programme will be implemented with an outlay of ₹2.4 crore. This initiative will support 7,000 farmers growing traditional crops like Manaparrai Kathari, Tharuvai Thakkali, Anaikomban Vendai, and Siragu Avarai across 2,500 acres.

Additionally, to address onion price surges between October and December, a subsidy will be provided for the establishment of 36,000 MT storage structures. With an allocation of ₹18 crore under Union and State funds, this scheme will benefit 1,000 farmers by ensuring better storage and market stability.

11:08 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: In 2025-26, a Micro Irrigation system will be implemented across 3 lakh acres, benefiting 1.3 lakh farmers, with an allocation of ₹1,168 crore.

11:07 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Summer crop plan to boost pulses, oilseeds & vegetables

As part of the summer crop plan, Tamil Nadu will promote less water-intensive crops, including short-duration pulses across 71,600 acres, groundnut over 74,000 acres, and gingelly across 33,300 acres. Additionally, 31 key vegetable varieties such as tomato, bhendi, onion, brinjal, chilli, and greens will be cultivated on 57,300 acres. This initiative aims to ensure fair prices for farmers while making vegetables affordable for consumers. A budget of ₹10.5 crore has been allocated for the scheme.

11:05 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 349/MT incentive & subsidy boost for sugarcane farmers

To expand sugarcane cultivation and support sugar mills in Tamil Nadu, eligible farmers who supplied sugarcane to mills during the 2024-25 crushing season will receive a special incentive of ₹349 per MT, in addition to the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) set by the Union Government. This brings the total cane price to ₹3,500 per MT, benefiting around 1.3 lakh farmers. A budget of ₹297 crore has been allocated for this scheme.

Additionally, to promote the cultivation of high-yield, pest-resistant sugarcane varieties and reduce farming costs, ₹10.5 crore has been earmarked under Union and State funds to provide subsidy assistance to sugarcane farmers.

11:02 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 20.95 crore allocated for coconut plantation rejuvenation & pest control

To boost coconut production and productivity, Tamil Nadu will promote replanting and rejuvenation of senile, disease-affected, and unproductive plantations with quality seedlings. A total of Rs 8.95 crore has been allocated for this initiative, covering 5,000 acres.

Additionally, to combat the widespread Rugose Spiraling Whitefly infestation, an integrated pest management approach will be implemented. Yellow sticky traps and parasitoid cards will be provided at a 50% subsidy. This scheme will be carried out over 1.68 lakh acres, benefiting 1.2 lakh farmers, with a financial outlay of Rs 12 crore for 2025-26.

11:00 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 2 crore allocated for farmers' overseas training in modern paddy cultivation

To enhance paddy production and productivity, Tamil Nadu will send 100 progressive farmers on an exposure visit to Japan, China, and Vietnam—countries known for their advanced agricultural technologies. This initiative, with a financial outlay of Rs 2 crore, aims to equip farmers with modern techniques to implement in their fields.

10:59 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: State unveils Agroforestry Policy to boost timber cultivation & green cover

The Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy will be introduced to encourage the cultivation of high-value trees such as Sandalwood, Red Sanders, Mahogany, and Rosewood. The policy aims to streamline procedures for registration, felling, transportation, and timber marketing while promoting a greener Tamil Nadu.

10:57 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: To meet the growing demand for cotton and improve its production and productivity, the Cotton Cultivation Scheme, which has been in place since 2021-22, will continue in 2025-26 with a financial outlay of Rs 12.2 crore.

10:56 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 841 crore allocated for crop insurance, Rs 250 crore for seed farms

During 2025-26, Rs 250 crore will be allocated for developing seed farms in state seed farms and farmers' fields, ensuring quality seed procurement.
Additionally, seven state seed processing units will be set up at a cost of Rs 15.05 crore to provide farmers with high-quality certified seeds on time.
To safeguard farmers against income loss due to natural calamities, the Crop Insurance Scheme will continue with an outlay of Rs 841 crore, covering 35 lakh acres.

10:51 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: During 2025-26, an Alternative Crop Cultivation Scheme will be implemented across one lakh acres with a state-funded outlay of Rs 12.50 crore, benefiting one lakh farmers.

10:49 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: A total of Rs 108.06 crore has been allocated under the Oilseeds Mission from Union and state funds, benefiting approximately 90,000 farmers.

10:48 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: The Maize Production Enhancement Scheme will be implemented across 1.87 lakh acres, benefiting 79,000 farmers, with a financial allocation of Rs 40.27 crore from Union and state funds.

10:47 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 269.50 crore allocated to expand KAVIADP in remaining village panchayats

Over the past four years, the Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme (KAVIADP) has been implemented in 10,187 village panchayats to achieve self-sufficiency. In 2025-26, the scheme will be extended to the remaining 2,338 village panchayats with a ₹269.50 crore allocation from state funds, benefiting around 9.36 lakh farmers.

10:45 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 142 crore allocated for 'CM’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaapom Scheme'

The 'Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaapom Scheme' will continue in 2025-26 with a ₹142 crore allocation. The scheme includes 15 key components such as green manure seed distribution, soil health card distribution, integrated farming systems, agroforestry, and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.

10:43 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Enhanced financial aid for farmers under 'Uzhavar Pathukappu Thittam'

Under the chief minister’s Uzhavar Pathukappu Thittam, financial assistance has been increased across various categories. Relief for accidental death will be doubled from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, while compensation for accident-related disabilities will rise from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Assistance for natural death will be enhanced from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000, and support for funeral expenses will increase from Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000.

10:40 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: A village outreach campaign will be conducted twice a month in selected revenue villages, aiming to ensure that farmers in all 17,116 revenue villages are informed about agricultural technologies and government schemes within a year.

10:40 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Rs 22.80 crore allocated for hill farmers’ welfare under new scheme

The "Malaivazh Uzhavar Munnetra Thittam" scheme will be launched in 2025-26 with a financial allocation of Rs 22.80 crore to support 63,000 hill farmers. This initiative will be implemented across 20 districts, including Tiruvannamalai, Nilgiris, Salem, Kallakurichi, Namakkal, Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Tiruppathur, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Kanniyakumari, Theni, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Erode, Tiruppur, Villupuram, and Coimbatore.

10:37 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Special packages announced to boost farming in delta & non-delta regions

A special package of Rs 102 crore has been allocated to provide subsidies for machine planting and quality seeds for farmers in non-delta districts.
Additionally, Rs 24 crore will be allocated to promote summer ploughing, covering 3 lakh acres at Rs 2,000 per hectare.
To boost food grain production in the Kuruvai season, Rs 58 crore has been set aside as a special package for farmers in delta districts.

10:25 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Tamil Nadu will establish 1,000 CM Farmers Service Centres to leverage the expertise of agriculture graduates and diploma holders, with ₹42 crore allocated as a subsidy for their setup.

10:20 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: A total of Rs 1,631 crore was provided to 20.84 lakh farmers affected by natural disasters.

10:19 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Sugarcane farmers received a special incentive of ₹215 per metric ton, with a total of ₹848 crore distributed under the scheme.

10:18 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: In the last four years, a total of 147 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured from farmers in Tamil Nadu.

10:17 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: In his speech, the minister stated that the total irrigated farmland increased from 89.09 lakh acres in 2020-21 to 94.68 lakh acres in 2023-24.

10:13 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: For the benefit of SC/ST farmers, a total of ₹61.12 crore has been allocated to provide a 60-70% subsidy under various schemes, benefiting 15,800 farmers.

09:59 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: A total of 55,000 farmers have received various farm equipment at a cost of ₹510 crore, Panneerselvam stated in his speech.

09:57 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: Since 2021-22, 1.81 lakh electricity connections have been provided to farmers.

09:46 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: In his speech, the minister stated that Tamil Nadu's total farmland increased from 146.76 lakh acres in 2019-20 to 151 lakh acres in 2023-24. He also highlighted that the state ranks first in finger millet production, second in maize, sugarcane, and oilseeds, and third in groundnut and cereals.

09:45 (IST) Mar 15

TN Agriculture Budget 2025 Live: TN Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam begins his budget speech

14:54 (IST) Mar 14

Metro expansions, new airport, language of museum and more: Key takeaways, announcements from Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin’s DMK-led administration presented the state Budget for 2025-26 in the assembly on Friday, outlining extensive welfare provisions ahead of the forthcoming elections. The financial plan includes substantial allocations for key initiatives, notably the fare-free bus travel scheme for women.

READ FULL STORY

13:29 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: Funds withheld by Union government over NEP row

Under the ‘Samagra Shiksha’ scheme, the State Government has been successfully implementing various student welfare initiatives for the past seven years. Notably, programs such as the 'Ennum Ezhuthum Thittam' to ensure foundational literacy, special education for differently-abled children, transport allowances for students from remote areas, teacher salaries, guidance for higher education to shape students' futures, art festivals to nurture unique talents, educational tours, and infrastructure development—including internet facilities in schools—are in progress.

However, as the Hon’ble Members of this august House are aware, the Union Government has withheld an approved amount of ₹2,152 crore from Tamil Nadu, citing the State’s non-acceptance of the Union Government’s New Education Policy, which includes the three-language policy. Despite this, prioritizing student welfare, the State Government has allocated funds from its own resources—including teacher salaries—to ensure that the education of Government school students remains completely unaffected.

Even at this critical juncture, the people of Tamil Nadu have wholeheartedly rallied behind the Hon’ble Chief Minister for upholding the dignity of the State by standing firm on the bilingual policy, even at the cost of foregoing ₹2,000 crore.

12:44 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu State Budget Live Updates

In a bid to revive Tamils maritime heritage and position Tamil Nadu as a global shipbuilding hub, the state government will introduce the ‘ Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025’. This policy will promote investment and innovation in ship and boat design, ship hull fabrication, and ship engine production. The growth of this industry will generate 30,000 jobs in districts such as Cuddalore and Thoothukudi, while also fostering the development of the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector.

12:25 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: 'Centre’s declining contributions straining state finances', says Thangam Thennarasu

"While the state’s own tax revenue has been rising due to the government’s efforts, the Union government’s contributions—including grants-in-aid and the devolution of central taxes—have been steadily declining as a percentage of total revenue. The Union government’s withholding of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, its refusal to release disaster relief funds for Tamil Nadu after Cyclone Michaung and the severe floods in southern districts, and the meager allocation of just ₹276 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for relief efforts following two consecutive disasters have significantly strained the state’s financial position.

Overall, the share of funds received from the Union government as a percentage of the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has been consistently and significantly declining in recent years. “It has dropped from 3.41% in 2016-17 to a projected 1.96% in the revised estimates for 2024-25. This 1.45 percentage point decline has resulted in a ₹45,182 crore revenue loss for the state. This shortfall is nearly 44.43% of the estimated fiscal deficit in the 2024-25 revised budget estimates,” he said.

12:03 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: House site pattas relaxation granted

In Chennai and its surrounding areas, a one-time dispensation has been granted for issuing house site pattas to eligible families who have been residing for more than 10 years on unobstructed government poramboke land.
Similarly, the one-time dispensation applies to areas within a 16-kilometre radius of district headquarters and an 8-kilometre radius of municipal and town panchayat boundaries.
Furthermore, house site pattas will be issued to residents who have been dwelling on unobstructed poramboke land for more than 5 years.

12:01 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: High tech scheme with face recognition and automatic number plate recognition systems to come to major cities to prevent crime against women at Rs 75 crore

11:32 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: Investment in tourism facilities

Rs 300 crore allotted to improvise tourism facilities in prime locations including Mamallapuram, Tiruvannamalai
Special tourism development commissionerates are being set up for four top locations — Mamallapuram, Thiruvannamalai, Rameswaram and Thiruchendur.

11:30 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: Tamil Nadu unveils rapid transit plans

The Tamil Nadu government intends to implement a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) to operate high-speed trains reaching velocities of up to 160 kmph. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) shall undertake a comprehensive feasibility study for three proposed corridors: Chennai to Villupuram (167 km), Chennai to Vellore via Kanchipuram (140 km), and Coimbatore to Salem (185 km).

11:24 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: Multi-modal hubs connecting the metro, MTC, and suburban trains will be developed at Guindy and Washermenpet, featuring modern passenger facilities.

11:23 (IST) Mar 14

Thangam Thenarasu, minister for finance and environment & climate change, presented the Budget for the year 2025-2026 to the Legislative Assembly.

11:20 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: Metro extension plans

Chennai airport to Kilambakkan metro extension.
Koyambedu to Avadi and Pattabiram expansion.
Poonamalle to Sriperumbudur DPR has been done and it will be sent to union govt soon.
Poonamalle Porur metro line will open by December this year.

11:17 (IST) Mar 14

TN Budget 2025 Live: Metro expansion in Chennai

Kilambakkam-Airport metro extension to be developed at a cost of ₹9,335 crore.
Koyambedu-Avadi-Pattabiram metro expansion planned with an estimated cost of ₹9,744 crore.
Poonamallee-Sriperumbudur metro project DPR completed; to be sent to the Union government soon. Project cost: ₹8,779 crore.
Poonamallee-Porur metro line set to open by December this year.

11:15 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: Key transport announcements

1,125 new e-buses for Chennai and other big cities in the state this year.
700 diesel buses to be converted into CNG buses.

10:59 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: Key announcements for health and family welfare

Anna Cancer Hospital in Kancheepuram (800 beds) to be upgraded, addressing TN’s high cancer prevalence.
HPV vaccines to be provided to 14-year-old girls to prevent cervical cancer.
Door-to-door screening launched to detect non-communicable diseases, a program that earned TN a UN award.
₹21,000 crore allocated to the Health and Family Welfare Department for 2025-26.

10:56 (IST) Mar 14

TN Budget 2025 Live: Boost for labour welfare, skill development and tech growth

Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department receives ₹1,975 crore in the 2025-26 budget.
Govt to provide subsidized e-scooters, insurance, and rest centers for gig workers.
Fabless lab to be established at a leading educational institution to attract global semiconductor companies, with ₹500 crore allocation.
Semiconductor equipment manufacturing park to be set up in Coimbatore.
Hosur Knowledge Corridor to house GCCs and R&D labs to attract white-collar jobs.

10:48 (IST) Mar 14

Tamil Nadu Budget 2025 Live: 2,000 acre satellite city

Chennai to get 2,000-acre satellite city, dubbed 'global city'. The new city will feature roads, metro rail, schools, hospitals, and other essential infrastructure.

29 More Updates

TN Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam began his budget speech, highlighting the growth of Tamil Nadu's farmland from 146.76 lakh acres in 2019-20 to 151 lakh acres in 2023-24. He also noted the state's top rankings in agricultural production, securing the first position in finger millet, second in maize, sugarcane, and oilseeds, and third in groundnut and cereals.

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the state's Budget for 2025-26 yesterday at the Assembly Hall in Fort St. George, Chennai. This marked his second Budget since his appointment in May 2023 and the DMK government’s fifth since coming to power in 2021.

The Budget session sparked political controversy after the Tamil Nadu government replaced the rupee symbol (₹) with the Tamil letter ‘roo’ in the official Budget logo. The move was defended by State Planning Commission Vice-Chairman J Jeyaranjan, who stated that the rupee symbol, written in Devanagari script, was replaced with a Tamil equivalent.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised the decision, calling it a form of “language and regional chauvinism” that promotes separatism. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai accused CM Stalin of rejecting a symbol originally endorsed by his father, M Karunanidhi. Sharing an old picture of Karunanidhi appreciating the rupee symbol’s designer, Udhayakumar, Annamalai posted on X, “What the father endorsed, the son rejects.”

Sitharaman questioned why the DMK, part of the UPA government in 2010, had not objected to the symbol when it was officially adopted. Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan also attacked the DMK, accusing it of having an “anti-national mindset” and using language politics to divert attention from governance failures.

With the Budget now presented, the political friction between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the BJP-led Centre continues to escalate.

No records available under this tab

Trending