Agriculture Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan has promised that an integrated turmeric complex would come up at Karumandichellipalayam in Erode district soon.
Inspecting the development works being carried out through the agriculture department at different parts of the district on Sunday, the Minister said that the project would benefit a large number of farmers in Erode, which was one of the largest turmeric producing districts in the country. Currently a godown and a few other facilities were being constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.5 crore at the site.
Asking the officials to speed up the works, the Minister promised that he would take the various demands of the turmeric farmers to the notice of the Chief Minister. Inspecting the common treatment plant on the Sipcot premises, the Minister asked the textile processing industries to utilise the plant properly.
He promised the general public and the farming community that the government would bring in necessary measures to sort out their problems.
Earlier, inspecting the Melia Dubia tree plantations in Chennampatti near Gobichettipalayam, the Minister said that Agriculture and Forest departments were jointly promoting the cultivation of the Melia Dubia (Malai Vembu in Tamil) as it would help farmers enhance their income.
The Melia Dubia fetches a handsome price in the market and requires low maintenance.
The Minister also inspected development works in Gobichettipalayam and received grievances petitions. Senior officials accompanied the Minister during the inspection.