Tamil Nadu CM launches special incentive for sugarcane farmers

CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin on Wednesday launched a slew of schemes implemented by the agriculture department, including special incentive of Rs 195 per tonne to benefit 1.21 lakh sugarcane farmers.
He also flagged off 20 mobile vegetable outlets to sell vegetables in Coimbatore, Trichy, Chengalpet, Tirupur and Salem districts.
As part of Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme being executed at Rs 300 crore this fiscal, with an objective of attaining overall agricultural development and self-sufficiency of all villages, the chief minister launched distribution of 19.16 lakh coconut saplings.The scheme covers 300 families each in every panchayat. They will be given two saplings each, free of cost. As a token gesture, the chief minister gave away a few saplings to farmers from Kancheepuram and Chengalpet districts, said an official release. The programme is implemented in 3,204 village panchayats this fiscal.
The chief minister also launched a programme to promote pulses cultivation, post samba harvest, at Rs 40 crore to improve soil health and increase income for farmers. The government will grant a subsidy of Rs 400 per acre for cultivation of black gram and green gram in about 10 lakh acres. He also opened buildings of agriculture department, constructed at a cost of Rs 15 crore, via video conference, the release added.