Tamil Nadu's average agri growth now 5.66 pc, says govt
Chief Minister M K Stalin, immediately after assuming office on May 7, 2021, had announced that cultivable agricultural area will be increased. As a result of the initiatives following his announcement, the area under irrigation, which was 36.07 lakh hectares in 2020-2021, increased to 38.33 lakh hectares in 2023-2024, resulting in a remarkable increase in food production, an official release said.
Under the Kalaignar All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Scheme, 47,286 acres of fallow land has been brought under cultivation at a cost of Rs.786.86 crore benefitting 51.13 lakh beneficiaries.
The government underlined achievements, including the state ranking first in the country in productivity of finger millet and guava and holding the second position as regards productivity of maize, sugarcane, tamarind, tapioca, jasmine, and oilseeds.
Five separate agriculture budgets have been presented, with a total allocation of Rs.1,94,076 crore, introducing and implementing several new schemes to boost agricultural production and enhance the welfare of the farming community.
"Due to the proactive steps of the chief minister, the average agricultural growth, which stood at 1.36 per cent between 2012-2013 and 2020-2021, has achieved a record average of 5.66 per cent from 2021 to 2024," the government said.
Priority was accorded for desilting of rivers, canals and irrigation channels, benefitting lakhs of farmers and 917 irrigation tanks across 27 districts were renovated at a cost of 1,212 crore.
In order to benefit small and marginal farmers and to increase agricultural production, 814 minor irrigation tanks were also renovated at a cost of 75.59 crore, aiding agricultural development.
Check dams, built across rivers, improve irrigation facilities in the respective regions. In this regard, across 24 districts, 88 check dams have been constructed at a cost of 519 crore, helping maintain groundwater levels. Milk production was 8,362 tonne in 2018-19, during the AIADMK regime. Fresh initiatives of the Dravidian model government raised it to 10,808 metric tonne in 2023-2024, which was a record achievement, the government said.
The government also outlined an increase in egg production from 1,884.22 crore numbers in 2018–2019 to 2,233.25 crore in 2023–2024, an increase of nearly 350 crore. "The Dravidian model government has established 72 new fish landing centres at a cost of 1,428 crore. Additionally, the chief minister has implemented several schemes to develop fisheries in areas like Tharangambadi, Rameswaram, and Thiruvotriyur Kuppam."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Property tax scam: Madras HC seeks probe progress
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Friday directed Tamil Nadu police to file a counter affidavit mentioning the progress of investigation into the Madurai Corporation's property tax scam case. A bench of justices SM Subramaniam and AD Maria Clete gave the direction on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by AIADMK councillor T Ravi seeking CBI investigation into the scam. Earlier, the court had ordered constitution of a special investigation team headed by a senior IPS officer to probe into the scam. When the case was heard on Friday, government counsel said a SIT had been formed under Madurai Range DIG Abhinav Kumar. Recording this, the judges directed police to file a counter affidavit mentioning it as well as the investigation progress, in two weeks and adjourned the case. Ravi has alleged Rs 200 crore loss to the corporation because of the scam. So far, eleven people have been arrested in the case. Five zonal chairpersons and two standing committee chairpersons have resigned from their posts and 15 corporation have been placed under suspension.
Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
Timely, productive visit helped review & build India-Maldives cooperation: FS Misri on PM Modi's Malé visit
Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the Maldives strengthened bilateral ties through key agreements and discussions. A major highlight was the extension of a Rs 4,850 crore line of credit and restructuring of existing debt, significantly reducing the Maldives' repayment obligations. The visit also included MOUs across various sectors and the launch of joint initiatives. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing state visit to the Maldives saw high-level engagements and significant bilateral agreements, reaffirming India-Maldives ties and outlining a roadmap for future a special press briefing on Friday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the importance of the visit, describing it as productive and timely. Accompanied by High Commissioner to Maldives G. Balasubramanian and Additional Secretary Puneet Agrawal, Misri provided a detailed account of the day's developments."As you would be aware, the Prime Minister is on a two-day state visit to the Maldives. You are all familiar with the fact that this is his third visit to the Maldives. He also happens to be the first head of government to be visiting the Maldives during the administration of President Muizzu," he saidReflecting the ceremonial importance of the occasion, Misri detailed that on arrival at the airport, the Prime Minister was warmly received by President Muizzu and members of his cabinet. "This was a very special gesture by the President. The Prime Minister was also corded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour and welcomed with a special cultural performance."This ceremonial welcome set the stage for substantive discussions and on Friday afteroon the Prime Minister and President Muizzu held restricted and delegation-level talks. "This gave both leaders the opportunity to review the entire gamut of issues in the bilateral relationship. They renewed various aspects of India-Maldives relations and in particular reflected on the progress made since October 2024, when President Muizzu had visited India on a state visit and when both countries had adopted the Joint Vision for India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership," he talks were followed by the signing of key agreements. "You would already be familiar with; you would have seen the ceremony for exchange of memoranda of understanding and agreements between the two sides. Let me just review the key agreements and MOUs that have been signed. We have signed an MOU related to the extension of a fresh line of credit of Rs 4,850 crore to the Maldives. This is the first LOC extended to the Maldives that is denominated in Indian rupees. The LOC represents a continuation of the tradition of assistance to the development needs of the Maldives and we expect that several infrastructure projects will be carried out as a result of this LOC agreement benefiting the lives of citizens here in the Maldives."He elaborated on financial restructuring aimed at easing the Maldives' economic burden. "Together with this, the two sides also signed an amendatory agreement that amended the existing dollar line of credit between India and the Maldives. I would like to in particular point to the fact that with the signature of this amendatory agreement, the annual debt repayment obligations of the Maldives will reduce by a sharp 40% from nearly US$51 million annually to about US$29 million."Misri further outlined the range of MOUs signed, covering diverse sectors. "The other understandings signed today include an MOU on cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, an MOU between the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Maldives Meteorological Services in the Ministry of Tourism and Environment; an MOU on cooperation in the field of sharing successful digital solutions that have been implemented at population scale for digital transformation between the Ministry of Electronics and IT of India and the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology of the Maldives."He added, "There was also an MOU on the recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia in the Maldives, which will reinforce the availability and sourcing of high-quality medicines in the Maldives; and a network-to-network agreement between India's NPCI, the National Payments Corporation of India International Limited, and the Maldives Monetary Authority. This is intended to take forward the work on implementing the Unified Payments Interface that will greatly benefit tourism between the two countries."Marking key milestones, Misri spoke about symbolic and development-oriented initiatives. "In addition to that, there were a number of announcements and events that took place during the course of the day. The two countries have agreed to launch negotiations on an India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides issued commemorative stamps."The Foreign Secretary continued, "The Prime Minister also handed over 3,300 social housing units in Hulhumale that were built under the Indian Buyer's Credit Scheme. The two leaders also together inaugurated the Roads and Drainage System Project in Addu City, six high-impact community development projects. And just now, a short while ago, the Ministry of Defence building in Male. The Prime Minister also handed over 72 vehicles and other equipment that will be used by the MNDF for various purposes."Environmental and health initiatives also featured in the day's agenda. "The two leaders were together for a tree plantation event, which is being carried out under the initiative taken by Prime Minister Modi in India, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Plant for Mother. In the same place, the Prime Minister also handed over two BHISHM Health Cubes that will be of great relevance in medical emergencies, especially in remote parts of the country."Modi's visit will continue with important engagements on Satruday where the Prime Minister will be the Guest of Honour at the Independence Day celebrations at Republic Square."He will also be meeting with a few political leaders of the country, interact with the Indian diaspora residing in the Maldives, including also ITEC alumni from the Maldives," Misri up the significance of the visit, Misri emphasized its strategic outcomes. "This very, very timely and productive visit has provided an opportunity to both countries and both leaders to review our very close cooperation and to continue to build further on it. The two sides, as I said in the beginning, reviewed the joint vision for the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and as a result of the discussions today, arrived at the conclusion that we should continue to implement various elements of this vision, and explore newer avenues to collaborate further between the two sides."
Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chandigarh MC buildings set to get rooftop solar panels under rent-a-roof model
Chandigarh: In a significant move, approximately 100 buildings of the municipal corporation (MC) are all set to have solar energy on their rooftops, as the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology (CREST) has sent a detailed MoU to be signed with the corporation for this project. As per the proposal, the MC will not have to spend even a single penny on this project, and they will earn around Rs 40 lakh annually as rent from the private company. Now, this detailed MoU is coming in the monthly general house meeting of the MC, scheduled for Tuesday, for deliberation and subsequent approval of the members. As per the proposal, the solar panels will be installed under a 'Rent-a-Roof', Resco Model (Renewable Energy Service Company) framework, where the selected company through bids will install the solar on all the selected buildings' rooftops, maintain them, and pay rent to the MC. The move came following a high-level meeting under the chairmanship of chief secretary Rajiv Verma, recently. The proposal of the CREST, a copy of which is with TOI, reads, "Chandigarh administration has been consistently working towards the saturation of rooftop solar installations across all govt and private buildings in the city. To utilise this potential effectively, CREST proposes the implementation of grid-connected rooftop solar plants on MC buildings through the 'rent-a-roof' framework. Under this model, the developer offering the highest rooftop rent per unit of energy generated shall be selected through competitive bidding. This will ensure regular revenue for MC, with zero capital expenditure or maintenance responsibility." The letter further reads, "The rent-a-roof approach allows MC to monetise its rooftop assets, receive guaranteed bi-monthly income, and avoid long-term tariff commitments. The total feasible rooftop solar capacity assessed on MC buildings is approximately 3MW. Based on generation potential and other parameters, MC stands to earn an estimated Rs 39-40 lakh per year, depending on the rent rate received through bidding." Following this, CREST has requested approval of the proposed model and MoU and timely consent to initiate the process. Once approved by the MC's general house, the CREST shall thereafter proceed with the tendering and execution of the project in coordination with the MC. Key Terms of MoU Rooftop rent to be paid by the Resco developer bi-monthly based on the energy generation under the gross metering arrangement No damage to MC roofs - any structural damage to be repaired by the Resco Water supply for periodic solar panel cleaning to be provided by MC Plant security to be provided by MC Insurance and operational responsibilities lie with Resco Escrow mechanism for transparent and timely rent transfers
