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.
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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.
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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.