Jayalalithaa announces scheme for sugarcane farmers

CHENNAI: In another pro-farmer initiative, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today announced a scheme for boosting sugarcane productivity, under which subsidies totalling Rs 12.93 crore will be provided this year.

A sum of Rs 12.93 crore had been allocated by the Chief Minister for cultivation of sugarcane in 7,500 acres under the 'Sustained Modern Sugarcane Production Scheme', which aims to increase the length and thickness of the cane, an official release said.

The scheme involves use of the shade net nursery technique and drip irrigation methods to help farmers get a good harvest using less water, it said.

Seeking to promote better water management, Jayalalithaa had yesterday announced a subsidy ranging from 75 per cent to 100 per cent for farmers taking up micro irrigation.

Under the scheme, farmers taking up drip irrigation will get a 100 per cent subsidy from the government for installation of the necessary infrastructure, while those opting for other irrigation methods will get a 75 per cent subsidy.

They would also get Rs 10,000 for each acre of sugarcane that they grow, which is to be used to buy sugarcane boosters, it said.

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University will train farmers in the technology required for shade net nursery and the inputs from the participants would be published in the form of a booklet for distribution to other farmers, the release said.

"The new scheme will help farmers increase the length and weight of the canes," it said.

According to a state government website, sugarcane is the most important commercial crop grown in the state. Out of the 3,35,397 hectares of area under sugarcane, 63.4 per cent is planted and 37.6 per cent is ratoon crop.