On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu government said in the Assembly drought might affect the food grain production for the next 2 years.
As per the report, in 2016-2017 the State realized 60.32 lakh tons of food grains, estimated by advance fourth quarter.
The agriculture minister, R. Doraikkannu claimed they had undertaken various farmer oriented agricultural practices last year to bring a change in this sector. However, the desired output is not achieved due to monsoon failure, poor storage in major reservoirs, cyclone Vardah and non release of Cauvery water by Karnataka.
The Government will carry out micro irrigation other than the special Kuruvai financial package, to bring in more crops with 100% subsidy for small and marginal farmers and 75% for other farmers, with the Center’s support.
The government had crossed 100 lakh tons of food grain production in 2011-2012, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Tamil Nadu had food grain production of 130.63 lakh tons in 2015-2016, which was said to be an achievement by the government. The government has set a goal of attaining 147.80 lakh tons of food grain production in 2016-2017.
However, the assembly stated that drought is a temporary situation and the farming community will propel the State to achieve 100 lakh MT during 2017-2018 with the help of the Government.
