NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE FOR RABI CAMPAIGN 2007

1. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE FORRABI CAMPAIGN 2007

6. PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE

8. PRODUCTION PROSPECTS� 2007-08

9. PREPAREDNESS FOR RABI 2007-08 District wise Action Plan drawn Required Seeds made available adequately Fertilizer supply Plan prepared and being monitored closely Intensive campaigns organised in all the villages. Soil Health card is being distributed Demonstrations in clusters organised with SRI for paddy and other crops Seed village scheme taken up with special focus to cover entire village in each district Micro irrigation programme intensified Hybrid rice demonstrations organised with SRI technology Wider publicity through mass media, video conferencing and Press tours organised for technology dissemination and monitoring Timely credit flow ensured Enrollment of 10 lakh non loanee farmers under Crop Insurance scheme has been taken up at a cost of Rs.15 crores by providing 50% subsidy on Insurance premium.

10. SEEDS � DISTRIBUTION & AVAILABILITY (MT)

11. SEED TREATMENT 2007-08 Kharif Seed Treatment campaign 11087 Revenue villages covered � 50.9 MTs of Seed dresser utilised - to cover 4.7 L.Ha. Rabi campaign 1.91 L.MTs of seeds proposed for seed treatment to cover 29.62 L.Ha. by distributing 345.5 MTs. of Seed dressers. Seed Dressers used T.viridi, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Thiram, carbendazim 9 lab established by TANWABE women groups with Government assistance of Rs.5 lakhs each also producing bio control agent

12. Seed Testing Seed testing is carried out in the notified seed testing laboratories 9 Notified Seed Testing Laboratories located at 1) Directorate 2) Coimbatore 3) Ooty 4) Trichy 5) Madurai 6) Dharmapuri 7) Thanjavur 8) Tirunelveli 9) Kancheepuram Three New Labs Established in March 2007 at Salem, Erode and Villupruam (Yet to be notified) In accordance with procedures narrated by ISTA, grow out test is conducted at Kannampalayam farm and at glass house attached to the Directorate.

13. Seed Samples Tested

14. New Activities under Seed Testing A new DNA finger print Laboratory was established at Rs. 58.75 lakhs in March 2007 STL Coimbatore accredited to ISTA 8 STLs proposed to be established under NHM during 2007-08 10 more STLs proposed to be established during 2007-08 (So as to have one Seed Testing Lab per District)

15. AVAILABILITY OF MAJOR FERTILISERS 2007 (in L.MT)

16. FERTILIZER TESTING Manufacturers - 151 Nos. Fertiliser Sale outlets - 13833 Nos. Notified Fertiliser control lab - 14 Nos. During 2007-08, establishment of 16 new Fertiliser Control Labs proposed at a cost of Rs.352 lakhs under Macro Management Mode and under consideration of GOI

17. FERTILISERS INITIATIVES Conditions included for issue of license for fertiliser manufacturers (G.O.Ms.No.328 Agri Dept. Dated 3.8.2007) Each manufacturer shall establish �Agri clinics� in each district centre manned by Technical experts to guide farmers on quality of inputs, soil health and organic farming One Soil Testing Lab to each manufacturing firm and distribution of Soil Health Card Should encourage water soluble fertilisers / liquid fertilisers to promote fertigation technology ISSUES ON FERTILISERS Liquid and soluble fertilisers to be promoted at concessional rate Bio-composting production and usage to be massively promoted by the Ministry

18. Programmed to distribute Soil Health Card to all 80 Lakh farm holdings (Sofar 5.8 lakh cards distributed). In addition to existing 19 STLs and 16 MSTLs Establishment of New Labs 11 new STLs at a cost of Rs.77 lakhs Replacing of 13 Mobile Soil Testing Labs � Rs.372 lakhs under NHM Upgradation of STLs with Mobile Soil Testing Labs � Rs.551 lakhs All the Labs provided with AAS for Micro nutrient testing Director of Seed Certification additionally designated as Director of Organic certification State schemes Composting of farm waste using Pleurotus by distribution of 5000 kits containing Pleurotus and Urea. Promotion of Vermicompost by conducting 300 demonstrations to train 15000 farmers Distribution of Biofertilisers(1600MT) and MN mixture (1400MT) Distribution of 250MT of Green Manure Seeds @ 25% subsidy

19. PESTICIDES Manufacturing firms - 138 Nos. Retail outlets - 12936 Nos. Pesticide Testing Labs - 9 Nos. Analysing Capacity - 14500 samples

20. NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION Districts identified and productivity RICE � 2003-04

21. NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION

22. NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION Under NFSM � Rice, Rs.20/- per kg. is allowed towards hybrid rice seed subsidy. The actual 50% cost may be permitted as subsidy due to high cost of �F1� seeds (Eg. KRH2 seed cost Rs.165-/ per kg.) Under NFSM � Pulses, the components like distribution of Pipe carrying water, Micro nutrient spray may be included The central pivot irrigation system may be included for demonstration in limited areas.

23. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RKVY)Additional Central assistance ISSUES Moving average will de-incentivise performing state and incentivise under performing state Additional Central assistance may be decided by fixing a base year

24. GROUP EXTENSION APPROACH Extension Reform through ATMA � extended to all districts Besides1200 Farmers Interest Groups formed already, another 1200 FIGs being formed � Rs.147 lakhs 16,666 Farm Women groups (TANWABE) involved in extension, input activities and other entrepreneurial activities � 7366 groups getting assistance @ Rs.10000/- per group Totally, 5631 trainings being conducted to benefit 2.82 lakh farmers at a cost of Rs.6.59 crores under Crop oriented programmes Agri clinics established in 81 locations and Agri Graduates are being motivated to establish Agri clinic at one for each block

25. EXTENSION Restructuring of the Extension staff Need for restructuring The present extension pattern is multi layered Not relevant to changing scenario in Agriculture Less focus on Horticulture / marketing aspects Proposed restructuring Two-tier system � district level and Block level More technical staff at Block level / Village level for effective delivery of technologies Strengthening of Horticulture and Marketing wing Less administrative work at Block level with more field work Computerisation at Block level for timely reporting Enable farmers to get integrated advice and assistance at Block / village level.

26. NATIONAL HORTICULTURE MISSION

27. NATIONAL HORTICULTURE MISSION PROGRAMME FOR RABI 2007-2008 Area Expansion Fruits Perennial : 14774 Ha. Fruits Non Perennial : 3607 Ha. Plantation Crops / Coastal Horticulture : 5107 Ha. Flowers A. Cut Flowers : 110 Ha. B. Bulbous Flowers : 295 Ha. C. Loose Flowers : 1070 Ha. Spices : 3728 Ha. Aromatic Plants : 50 Ha. Medicinal Plants : 1490 Ha. Protected Cultivation : 324960 Sq.Mt Rejuvenation : 7316 Ha. Creation of Water Resources : 124 Nos. Promotion of INM / IPM : 16150 Ha. Organic Farming : 7200 Ha. Pollination Support : 500 Nos. HRD : 48695 Nos.

28. NATIONAL HORTICULTURE MISSION (Rs. In lakhs)

29. NATIONAL HORTICULTURE MISSION Training to 50,000 farmers and Officials of Horticulture Department - Rs.8 crores So far 2155 Farmers, 146 Officers got trained. Training is in progress. 5000 farmers to visit other States like Maharastra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka

31. MICRO IRRIGATION Financial outlay for 2007-08 - Rs.169 crores Expenditure upto Aug.07 - Rs.3.72 crores Implementation - 29 Districts Target Achmt. Horticultural Crops - 45000 Ha. Non Horticultural crops - 30000 Ha. 8284 Ha. (Sugarcane 20000 Ha. Coconut 10000 Ha.)

32. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND AGRI BUSINESS 277 Regulated Markets are functioning under 21 Market Committee 108 Grading centres facilitating free agricultural produce grading 108 Rural godowns for storage of agricultural produce Check Posts removed to facilitate hassle free movement of Agricultural Produce within the state

33. REFORMS IN THE TNAPMC ACT In Tamil Nadu � Tamil Nadu Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act 1987� is in force. Buying and selling agricultural produce in regulated markets not compulsory The Act does not prohibit private markets, direct marketing and contract farming Dispute redressal forum for contract farming proposed.

34. UZHAVAR SANDHAIS (FARMERS MARKET ) 103 Uzhavar Sandhais (Farmers Market) functioning � Renovated at a cost of Rs.42 lakhs. 50 New Farmers Markets proposed to be established during the current year. FACILITIES IN THE FARMERS MARKET Shop, balances and luggage transportation through public transport provided to farmers at free of cost. Facilities like telephone, vehicle stand, canteen, drinking water etc provided 25 farmers markets provided with computers and LCD screens for price display It is proposed to set up walk-in-coolers in top15 Farmers Markets

35. PERFORMANCE OF UZHAVAR SANDHAI  (FARMERS MARKET) Every day on an average 1070 M.T. of vegetables and fruits worth Rs.1.15 Crore brought and sold by 6250 farmers benefiting 1,80,000 consumers.

36. TERMINAL MARKETS Terminal Markets for fruits and vegetables with all modern facilities and collection centres in production areas are to be established at a cost of Rs. 200.00 crores in the metro areas of Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore. An Amount of Rs. 3.00 crores released by state government to Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board which has been designated as nodal agency for establishing terminal market. RFP and RFQ prepared and it is under scrutiny by government for approval.

37. MULTI STATE AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT (MACP) Participating Departments Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Marketing Departments Components proposed under MACP AGRIMARTS Upgrading infrastructure facilities in the existing regulated markets Creation of modern facilities in the existing markets. Capacity building programme through ATMA

38. EXTENSION AND MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEM (MRIN and other schemes) The Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board looks after marketing extension in the state through seminars, exhibitions, farmers meetings, training programmes to the farmers on Post Harvest Technology and Value Addition etc. Presently 93 regulated markets are provided with computers linked to AGMARKNET effecting price watch system. Further during the year 2007-08, 91 more nodes sanctioned under MRIN which are going to be installed in Market Yards. Proposals for setting up of computers in 78 farmers markets were sent to DMI for sanction under MRIN scheme and it is under consideration. Further 25 farmers markets were provided with computers and LCD screens for price display and 13 district collectors office were provided with touch screen kiosks for the benefit of farmers and public to know the details about the Market.

39. AUGMENTING FOOD PROCESSING, EXPORTS AND STORAGE Initiatives to create facilities under PPP mode Market Complex with cold storage facility for onion at a cost of Rs.2.00 Crores in Pongalur of Coimbatore district. Market Complex with cold storage facility for Mango at Krishnagiri at a cost of Rs. 2.00 Crores Market Complex for grapes with cold storage facility at a cost of Rs.3.75 Crores at Odaipatti in Theni District. Market Complex with cold storage facility for tomato at a cost of RS.2.00 Crores at Hosur in Krishnagiri District. Market Complex for Coconut at a cost of Rs. 4.00 Crores at Pattukottai in Thanjavur District.

40. VENTURE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME THROUGH SFAC Rs.313.52 lakhs venture capital assistance sanctioned to 8 projects during 2005-06 Rs.88.27 lakhs venture capital assistance sanctioned to 7 projects during 2006-07 MARKETING PROGRAMMES UNDER NATIONAL HORTICULTURE MISSION Subsidy for 40 pack houses in the 13 NHM districts at the rate Rs.62500.00 per pack house disbursed through district collectors. 24 training programmes on production and post harvest management of 6 different crops conducted to 2454 farmers incurring Rs.17.15 Lakhs Computers and LCD TVs installed at 25 Uzhavar Sandhais Touch Screen Kiosks installed in 12 District Collectorates and Madurai Paddy Market Complex

41. SPECIAL PROGRAMMES / ASSISTANCE Waival of Rs.7000 crores of crop loan and revitalisation of the co-operative Banks enables more farmers to get fresh credit facilities Reduction of interest for crop loans from 9 to 7% and to 5 % for the farmers who pay the dues promptly. Free electricity for Agricultural purpose continued with a financial commitment of Rs.248 crores. Crop insurance coverage to 10 lakh non loanee farmers, providing 50% subsidy on premium at a cost of Rs.15 crores Implementation of TN-IAMWARM Project in 63 sub basin for restoration of water bodies to bring additional 6 lakh Ha. under irrigation with a total outlay of Rs.691.42 crores

42. HON�BLE CHIEF MINISTER�S PROGRAMMEON FREE DISTRIBUTION OF DEVELOPED WASTE LANDS TO LANDLESS AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS ACTIVITIES Land development by leveling, bunding and reclamation - Rs.2600 / Acre 165 Cluster land development by creation of irrigation sources, Micro irrigation system to cover 2945 Ac. benefiting 1685 farmers Planting with high income generating Horticultural crops - Rs.2600 / Acre Farm ponds (15m x 6m x 1.5 m) at a cost of Rs.4650 / Pond 20000 farm ponds targetted for 2007-08

43. TAMILNADU AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS � FARMERS (Social Security & Welfare) SCHEME - 2006 To provide welfare benefits for Agricultural labourers and farmers Educational assistance Marriage assistance Maternity assistance Pension Assistance for funeral expenses Compensation to poor Agricultural labourers, farmers and their families Members identified � 1.59 crore members � Rs.152 crores allotted Identity Cards issued to 71.05 lakh members Sofar Rs.35.37 crores extended as assistance to 1.05 lakh members

44. INTEGRATED SUGAR COMPLEX(G.O.Ms.No.362 Agri Dept. Dated 27.11.2006) Guidelines to establish new sugarmills New sugar unit should be an integrated sugar complex comprising co-generation plant, distilleries, ethanol plant and bio composting facility apart from production of white crystal sugar SMP cane payment should be paid within 14 days and SAP within 3 months Activities to be ensured Establishment of biotechnology laboratory with tissue culture production Recycling of press mud / establishment of Soil Testing Lab and distribution Soil Health card 100% area coverage with micro irrigation with fertigation in 5 years Production and supply of biofertiliser, biopesticides, propagation of agronomic practices