Ministers M.R.K. Paneerselvam and V. Senthil Balaji after inaugurating the seventh Flower Show of TNAU at the varsity’s Botanical Garden in Coimbatore on Saturday..
| Photo Credit: SPL
Calling for accelerated efforts to take research findings to common man for improving profitability in farming, Minister for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare M.R.K. Paneerselvam on Saturday called upon scientists of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) to develop fine paddy varieties holding business potential in other States as well.
The prevalent scenario of Tamil Nadu favouring fine paddy varieties from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for general consumption has to change, the Minister, who is the Pro-Chancellor of the varsity, said after inaugurating the seventh Flower Show of TNAU.
Appointment of an officer in IAS (Indian Administrative Service) cadre to head the research activities in the university was under consideration, the Minister said.
Sustainability in agriculture could be attributed to the free power supply extended in the current DMK regime. New connections were provided to over two lakh applicants who had been waiting for durations ranging from 10 to 20 years. Farmers were pushed to a situation of pledging their jewellery to settle electricity bills for power utilised for agricultural purposes during the AIADMK regime, Mr. Paneerselvam claimed.
Criticising the AIADMK regime for “driving farmers to despair”, Mr. Paneerselvam said the DMK government, on the other hand, had provided ₹1,026 crore as relief to 14.22 lakh farmers who were affected by natural calamities.
About 16,000 school students were taken on exposure visits over the last one year to agricultural fields through the special scheme of the government, to drive home the importance of the sector at a young age, Mr. Paneerselvam said.
Minister for Electricity V. Senthil Balaji said Tamil Nadu can pride itself as the only State in the country to present exclusive Agri Budget.
The five-day Covai Flower Show in the 25-acre Botanical Garden features display of arrays of lotus, rose, orchid and various other flowers, bonsai, and terrace and home gardens. The organisers expect footfall in excess of one lakh witnessed last year.
Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government V. Dakshinamoorthy, Director of Agriculture B. Murugesh, District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati, TNAU Vice-Chancellor V. Geethalakshmi, and Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran, also took part.
Published – February 08, 2025 07:15 pm IST