Rising Investments and Cropping Intensity in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025: A Comprehensive Push for Sustainable and Inclusive Farming: Tamil Nadu’s fifth exclusive agriculture budget, presented for 2025–26, reflects a strong commitment to the state’s farming sector. Over the last five years, the budgetary outlay has grown from ₹34,221 crore in 2021–22 to ₹45,661 crore, while the gross cropped area increased from 146.77 lakh acres in 2019–20 to 151 lakh acres in 2023–24. The double-cropped area also rose to 33.60 lakh acres, indicating more efficient land usage and improved access to irrigation and farm inputs.
Crop Productivity Rankings and Crop Diversification Plans
Tamil Nadu continues to perform impressively in national agricultural rankings—1st in ragi productivity, 2nd in maize, oilseeds, and sugarcane, and 3rd in groundnut and minor millets. To sustain and expand this success, the government launched the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission with ₹55.44 crore and the Oil Seed Mission with ₹108.06 crore to promote self-sufficiency. The Alternative Crop Cultivation Scheme, with an outlay of ₹12.50 crore, plans to shift 1 lakh acres from paddy and sugarcane to water-efficient crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds.
Infrastructure and Incentives to Modernise Agriculture
To empower farmers with better infrastructure, the budget allocates funds for 1,000 Chief Minister’s Farmers Service Centres and ₹160 crore for mechanised paddy cultivation in both delta and non-delta districts. Sugarcane growers will benefit from a special incentive of ₹215 per metric tonne, in addition to the FRP set by the Union Government, ensuring better returns. These measures aim to reduce labour dependency and improve yields, especially in high-cost crops.
Branding, Exposure, and New Institutions to Support Farmers
The state government will spend ₹15 lakh to obtain GI tags for five regional products like Nallur Varagu and Ayakudi Koyya, enhancing their market value and recognition. Furthermore, ₹2 crore has been earmarked for an international exposure tour for 100 progressive farmers to countries like Japan, China, and Vietnam, to bring back global farming techniques. A dedicated Tamil Nadu Cashew Board with ₹10 crore will be set up to boost cashew production and support rural livelihoods.
Energy, Environment and Hill Farmer Welfare
As part of its green energy push, ₹24 crore has been allotted to provide solar pump sets to 1,000 farmers, with subsidies up to 70%, reducing electricity dependency and irrigation costs. The new Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy will promote the cultivation of high-value trees and simplify timber regulations. In a unique step, the Malaivazh Uzhavar Munnetra Thittam will be launched for 63,000 hill farmers, focusing on the distinct agricultural needs and potential of Tamil Nadu’s upland regions.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2025: A Comprehensive Push for Sustainable and Inclusive Farming:
| Aspect | Details |
| Budget Year | 2025–26 (Fifth Exclusive Agriculture Budget) |
| Total Outlay | ₹45,661 crore |
| Gross Cropped Area | 151 lakh acres (2023–24) |
| Double Crop Area | 33.60 lakh acres |
| Key Schemes | Millet Mission, Oil Seed Mission, CM Farmers Centres, Alternative Crop Plan |
| Sugarcane Incentive | ₹215/MT above FRP |
| International Tour | ₹2 crore for 100 farmers (Japan, China, Vietnam) |
| GI Tag Budget | ₹15 lakh (5 regional products) |
| Cashew Board Allocation | ₹10 crore |
| Solar Pump Scheme | ₹24 crore (1,000 units with 70% subsidy) |
| Hill Farmers Scheme | Malaivazh Uzhavar Munnetra Thittam – 63,000 beneficiaries |
