Tamil Nadu   

Food grains production target fixed at 95.35 lakh tonnes

S. Vydhianathan

This is 21.21 lakh tonnes more than last year's production

CHENNAI: The State Government has fixed an ambitious production target of 95.35 lakh metric tonnes of food grains in the current financial year (2006-2007).

This is 21.21 lakh tonnes more than last year's production of 74.14 lakh tonnes, according to the policy note of the Agriculture Department placed in the Assembly. This includes 78.10 lakh tonnes of paddy, 13.65 lakh tonnes millets and 3.60 lakh tonnes pulses.

For realising the target, the Government will bring 21.70 lakh hectares under paddy, 10.50 lakh hectares under millets and 7.5 lakh hectares under pulses cultivation. It is confident of achieving the target, as the situation is conducive.

Positive outlook

Release of water from the Mettur reservoir on the scheduled date of June 12 this year and the Meteorological department's prediction of normal rainfall during the year have enthused the department to fix a comparatively higher target.

Sources in the Department said the State had achieved an all-time high production of 94.12 lakh tonnes in the year 1998-1999. After that there was a steady decline in production. It dipped to 44.61 lakh tonnes during 2002-2003 and touched a low of 43.12 lakh tonnes during 2003-2004 when the State reeled under severe drought.

Campaign planned

To achieve this year's target, the government plans to conduct intensive pre-season campaign for kharif and rabi crops prior to sowing season and provide technical support to farmers.

While bringing more areas under contract farming, it is also planned to involve Tamilnadu Women in Agri Businees and Extension (TANWABE) groups in extension activities, seed production and distribution and seedlings production.

Select TANWABE groups will be asked to establish bio-control production centres and purchase agricultural machineries for hiring. More farmers' interest groups will be formed and will involve themselves in extension activities.

The government's aim is to achieve an average paddy productivity of five tonnes per hectare. It will also advise farmers to go for crop diversification with a thrust on less water intensive crops such as millets, pulses and oilseeds to get more revenue.

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