Agriculture News

Tamil Nadu has planned new Integrated Agricultural Extension Centres to strengthen agricultural support services. The centres will help improve access to technical guidance and agricultural infrastructure. Vellore is among the districts included in the expansion plan, along with Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchirappalli, Virudhunagar, Theni, Thoothukudi and Coimbatore.

Tamil Nadu has strengthened agricultural contingency planning in preparation for the possible impact of Super El Niño conditions. The Agriculture Department said district-level contingency plans have been communicated to Collectors, with measures being prepared to protect farmers and agricultural production from potential climate-related challenges.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced an increase in the crop-loan waiver limit, providing complete waiver of loans up to ₹75,000 for eligible farmers who had borrowed between ₹75,000 and ₹1 lakh. The measure is expected to benefit about 1.38 lakh farmers and provide financial relief worth approximately ₹953 crore.

The state government has allocated ₹648.55 crore for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana during 2026–27. The programme is expected to provide crop insurance coverage to around 15 lakh farmers covering 36 lakh acres, with the government targeting wider coverage of notified crops.

Tamil Nadu is increasing the use of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and precision farming to provide farmers with better technical support. The agriculture initiatives are designed to offer crop-cycle advisories, improve crop monitoring and help farmers make better decisions from sowing through harvest.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a ₹600 crore Soil Conservation Mission for 2026–27. The initiative focuses on improving soil fertility, encouraging natural and organic farming and reducing excessive use of chemical fertilisers. Soil Health Cards will also be provided to farmers under the programme.

Tamil Nadu’s 2026–27 Agriculture Budget has announced several initiatives aimed at improving farmer income, expanding irrigation, promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening crop insurance. The budget also includes measures focused on modern farming technologies and better agricultural infrastructure.