Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday made a slew of announcements, including extension of subsidy to 1,000 solar power pumpsets at 90% subsidy, aimed at giving a boost to the agriculture sector.
Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said those who were using free electricity pumpsets and others who had applied for a new connection could opt for the power pumpsets at 90% subsidy.
The government has already given 500 solar pumpsets for the delta region for kuruvai cultivation and other areas would also get 500 pumpsets. The project cost is ₹50 crore.
As consumption of millets was increasing, the government would implement a scheme at a cost of ₹6.62 crore for increasing the cultivation.
He also announced ₹27.83 crore grant for micro irrigation for banana crops to ensure water management.
The government would also launch a horticulture diploma course at the Horticulture Training Centre, Thally in Krishnagiri district and the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Dindigul district.
As of now, students are trained only in Madhavaram in Chennai. The new centres would admit 50 students each for the two-year course.
The government would also open nine agriculture extension centres at a cost of ₹18 crore, the Chief Minister said.