Delay in Cauvery water release: Tamil Nadu govt announces Rs 78.67crore kuruvai package for farmers

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu govt on Friday announced a special kuruvai package of Rs 78.67 crore to assist farmers with short-term paddy cultivation. This move comes after govt decided against releasing water from the Mettur reservoir on the customary date of June 12.
In an official statement, agriculture and farmers welfare minister MRK Panneerselvam attributed the delayed monsoon and insufficient water in the reservoir to the delay in releasing water for kuruvai cultivation.
“Though it causes angst, the chief minister has ordered a kuruvai package of Rs 78.67 crore to safeguard the interests of delta farmers and considering their aspirations,” Panneerselvam said.
The package includes the distribution of 2,000 metric tonne of paddy seeds at a subsidized rate covering one lakh acres.
Govt will provide Rs 40 crore as a subsidy for machinery, offering Rs 4,000 per acre for an area of one acre.
The package allocates Rs 15 lakh for distributing rich micronutrient mixtures at a 50% subsidy in 7,500 acres of nutrient-deficient areas. Farmers will receive Rs 250 per acre for the application of zinc sulphate over 25,000 acres and gypsum over 25,000 acres.
Furthermore, govt will extend Rs 1.2 crore in assistance for cultivating pulses in 10,000 acres. Quality seeds, biocontrol agents, liquid bio-fertiliser and foliar spraying will be available at a 50% subsidy, along with Rs 20 lakh for distributing micronutrients at a 50% subsidy to boost productivity.
A subsidy of Rs 7.52 crore will be provided through the department of agricultural engineering for various equipment. This includes 442 units such as power tillers, rotovators, solar pumpsets, and drones.
Additionally, the state will allocate Rs 24.5 crore to create employment opportunities under the MGNREGS. This aims at compensating the loss of employment for those involved in agricultural work in the delta districts.