MADURAI: The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University will submit re-drafted proposals to the Finance Ministry in two weeks as to how it intends to utilise the special grant of Rs. 50 crore allotted in the budget.

"We are redrafting the proposals since the university prepared them for a higher amount earlier. The final list will be sent to the Ministry highlighting the focus areas in research and infrastructure development," C. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, told The Hindu here on Sunday.

He said several areas were identified including application of nano-technology for agriculture, purchase of lab equipment for the TNAU's research stations in the State, mechanisation, development of high-yielding varieties in rice, cotton, tomato, maize and sunflower.

Testimony

The Vice-Chancellor said the special grant announced in the 2007-08 budget was a testimony to the recognition and credibility of the university.

Dr. Ramasamy was here to inaugurate the video-conferencing facility between Agricultural College and Research Institute at Madurai and the Dhan Foundation Village Kiosks, which would benefit farmers.

According to him, the Rs.50-crore fund would be utilised equally for direct research and improvement of facilities.

The university would also pay attention to genetically modified crops and focus on measures to increase the yield in black gram and tapioca.

The TNAU would also establish a nano-technology laboratory on the university campus at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.

It would be a common facility and could be used by other institutions also, Dr. Ramasamy said.

He said the agricultural issues, raised by the State Government, were being addressed by the university effectively and the latest special grant from New Delhi would help in contributing more to the farming community.

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