S. Palanisamy, leader of the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, criticizes the recent agricultural budget announcements by the Tamil Nadu government as insufficient, claiming they only partially meet the farmers' needs.
Coimbatore: The agricultural budget for the financial year 2024-25, presented by Minister MRK Panneerselvam in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, has been deemed insufficient by the state's farming community. S. Palanisamy, leader of the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, voiced his concerns in Coimbatore, highlighting that the budget does not fully address the farmers' needs.
According to Palanisamy, the budget has missed several critical projects, including the much-anticipated announcement to link all rivers across Tamil Nadu, which has led to widespread disappointment. Moreover, there was no allocation for compensating the damages caused by wildlife to crops and life, a significant issue affecting the agricultural sector.
Palanisamy suggested that a more comprehensive budget could have been developed if there had been consultations with agricultural stakeholders prior to its formulation. While acknowledging Tamil Nadu's initiative in introducing a separate agricultural budget, he pointed out that the current allocations only partially satisfy the needs of the farmers, leaving them with "half-full stomachs."
Despite welcoming certain allocations, such as funds for vermicompost production, development of farmers' markets (Uzhavar Sandhais), and support for fodder production, Palanisamy expressed that the budget's provisions are not enough. Specifically, he noted the allocation for sugarcane farmers, which, although substantial, still falls short of fully addressing the broader needs of the agricultural community.
In summary, Palanisamy's remarks reflect a sense of disappointment within the farming community regarding the agricultural budget's failure to fully meet their expectations, calling for a more inclusive and consultative approach in future budget preparations.
According to Palanisamy, the budget has missed several critical projects, including the much-anticipated announcement to link all rivers across Tamil Nadu, which has led to widespread disappointment. Moreover, there was no allocation for compensating the damages caused by wildlife to crops and life, a significant issue affecting the agricultural sector.
Palanisamy suggested that a more comprehensive budget could have been developed if there had been consultations with agricultural stakeholders prior to its formulation. While acknowledging Tamil Nadu's initiative in introducing a separate agricultural budget, he pointed out that the current allocations only partially satisfy the needs of the farmers, leaving them with "half-full stomachs."
Despite welcoming certain allocations, such as funds for vermicompost production, development of farmers' markets (Uzhavar Sandhais), and support for fodder production, Palanisamy expressed that the budget's provisions are not enough. Specifically, he noted the allocation for sugarcane farmers, which, although substantial, still falls short of fully addressing the broader needs of the agricultural community.
In summary, Palanisamy's remarks reflect a sense of disappointment within the farming community regarding the agricultural budget's failure to fully meet their expectations, calling for a more inclusive and consultative approach in future budget preparations.