Parliament Question: Agricultural Initiatives in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3823 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2026 AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVES IN TAMIL NADU

3823. SHRI NAVASKANI K:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं(cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the progress of area coverage under summer crops and the extent of acreage brought under cultivation in Tamil Nadu during current summer season and if so, details thereof;

(b) the details of area covered under paddy, pulses, oilseeds and maize in Tamil Nadu during current summer season as compared to the corresponding period of previous year, crop-wise;

(c) whether the Government has implemented any district-specific initiatives in Ramanathapuram district to promote summer crop cultivation through efficient water management, climate-resilient agricultural practices and improved extension services and, if so, the details thereof;

(d) the measures taken to ensure the timely availability of quality seeds, fertilizers, irrigation support and other agricultural inputs to farmers in Ramanathapuram district; and

(e) whether any special assistance has been provided to enhance summer crop productivity, improve water-use efficiency and increase farmers' income in Ramanathapuram district and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) regularly reviews the progress of area coverage under various crops, including summer crops, based on the information furnished by the States. The details of area covered during summer season for the years 2024-25 and 2025-26 under rice, maize, pulses and oilseeds in Tamil Nadu are

as under:

Area in Thousand Ha Crops 2024-25 2025-26* Rice 272.56 227.95 Maize 3.00 22.71 Total Pulses 166.59 134.73 Total Oil Seeds 107.98 87.64 *As per 3rd Advance Estimate, DA&FW(c) to (e): The Prime Minister Dhan- Dhanya Krishi Yojana (DDKY) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 16th July, 2025 to cover 100 districts, including Ramanathapuram, and was formally launched on 11th October 2025. The Scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit. The scheme is being implemented through convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 Departments, other State schemes and local partnerships with the private sector.

Ramanathapuram is one of the districts covered under DDKY in Tamil Nadu. District Action Plans (DAPs) have been formulated and approved by the District Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The DAPs are envisaged to address district specific agriculture development plan and address the local challenges keeping scheme objectives through convergence of the schemes. Ramanathapuram District has also formulated the DAPs and initiated activities as per their plans.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing various other Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) in the state of Tamil Nadu. Some of these are:

The National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) is being implemented in 28 States including Tamil Nadu and 2 Union Territories (UTs) with the objective of increasing the production and productivity of Shree Anna, Rice, Wheat, Coarse Cereals, and Commercial Crops (Jute and Sugarcane). Newly released high-yielding, climate-resilient, bio-fortified, varieties of crops resistant to insect, pests and diseases are being promoted under NFSNM. Flexibility has been given to States / UTs to identify districts with low productivity and high production potential. Demonstrations of newly released varieties and latest agricultural technologies are also promoted under NFSNM. District specific implementation data is maintained by the states.

The Government ensures timely availability of quality seeds and fertilizers by periodically assessing requirement and availability with States/UTs and concerned agencies through Zonal Conferences for Agricultural Inputs. To make seeds available at affordable prices, financial assistance is provided for seed-related activities including distribution of quality seeds, creation of National Seed Reserve, strengthening seed infrastructure, farmer trainings, demonstrations and free distribution of minikits of new High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of pulses and Nutri-cereals under schemes such as National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). These interventions enhance productivity and help reduce cost of cultivation. Production of seed in public sector is also encouraged to ensure availability of quality seeds at affordable prices to farmers. The requirement of fertilizers assessed by DA&FW is intimated to the Department of Fertilizers to ensure seamless availability of fertilizers before the cropping season starts. Further, DA&FW in collaboration with DOF regularly monitors the availability status of the fertilizer across the country, including Tamil Nadu, through video conference on weekly basis.In Ramanathapuram district, as reported by the State Government, seed farms of paddy, millets, pulses, and oilseeds were raised during 2025-26 for production of certified seeds from which 770 MT of paddy, 35 MT of millets, 30.26 MT of pulses, and 3.93 MT of oilseeds were procured for distribution during 2026-27. So far, 2 MT of paddy, 2 MT of millets, 2.26 MT of pulses, and 2.5 MT of oilseeds were distributed to farmers. Certified seed stock of 768 MT of paddy, 33 MT of millets, 28 MT of pulses, and 1.43 MT of oilseeds were stocked in Agricultural Extension Centres for distribution to farmers. Green manure has been grown in an area of 760 acre, to improve soil health, which is one of the important soil health improving practices.

As reported by the State Government, during the ongoing Kharif 2026 season (April 2026 to September 2026), against the estimated requirement of 6,200 MT of Urea, 1,540 MT of DAP, 300 MT of MOP and 3,300 MT of Complex fertilisers, the Ramanathapuram district has, up to 06.08.2026, received 4,356 MT of Urea, 111 MT of DAP, 105 MT of MOP and 172 MT of Complex fertilisers. As on 07.08.2026, the district had an available stock of 5,484 MT of Urea, 700 MT of DAP, 208 MT of MOP and 2,433 MT of Complex fertilisers, against the estimated requirement for August 2026 of 1,140 MT of Urea, 380 MT of DAP, 30 MT of MOP and 1,700 MT of Complex fertilisers. The available stocks were sufficient to meet the district’s requirement, and through continuous monitoring, timely replenishment and need-based redistribution, uninterrupted availability of fertilisers has been ensured.

Consequently, no shortage of fertilisers has been reported by farmers in Ramanathapuram district during the current Kharif season.

To ensure that only quality fertilisers are supplied to farmers, annual targets are fixed for drawing fertiliser samples from manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. The samples are analysed in state-notified Fertiliser Quality Control Laboratories, and department and legal action is initiated under the provisions of the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985, wherever violations are detected. The Department also conducts regular inspections and surprise enforcement drives to prevent the sale of non-standard fertilisers, hoarding, black marketing and diversion of subsidised fertilisers. Further, fertiliser sales are monitored in real time through the DBT-enabled Point of Sale (PoS) system, ensuring transparent distribution and uninterrupted availability of quality fertilisers to farmers.

The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme is being implemented in the Country, including Tamil Nadu, from the year 2015-16, which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation technologies namely Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems. Micro Irrigation helps in water saving as well as reduced fertilizer usage, labour expenses, other input costs and overall income enhancement of farmers. Under the PDMC Scheme, financial assistance is provided to farmers for installation of micro irrigation systems @ 55% and 45% of the unit cost to small & marginal farmers and other farmers respectively. From 2015-16 to so far, Central Assistance of Rs. 3229.29 crore has been provided to the State of Tamil Nadu for implementation of PDMC Scheme. During this period, an area of 13.74 lakh hectare has been covered under Micro Irrigation through PDMC in the State of Tamil Nadu which includes 0.13 lakh hectare in Ramanathapuram district of the State. As reported by the State Government, an area of 48 ha is covered by micro irrigation systems (Sprinkler and Rain gun) to utilize the available water in efficient manner during the current financial year, up to July 2026, in Ramanathapuram district.Also, the Government is implementing a 100% centrally funded Central Sector Scheme known as the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) across various States/UTs in pan India including Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. This scheme aims to provide easy and affordable credit to all farmers for meeting their working capital needs of various agriculture and allied sector activities upto a loan limit of Rs. 3.00 lakh at an effective interest rate of 4%.

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