Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2026-27: Key Announcements
- Focus on farmers’ welfare: Agriculture Minister
R Vinoth said thebudget prioritises improving farmers’ livelihoods, with emphasis on water storage infrastructure and irrigation. - Kuruvai cultivation support: Despite delayed opening of Mettur dam due to low storage, the government rolled out a Kuruvai Special Package. 8.26 lakh acres are under Kuruvai cultivation this year.
- District agriculture plans: Contingency plans have been prepared for every district to mitigate the impact of adverse weather and other farming challenges.
- Foodgrain production target: The government aims to increase annual foodgrain production to 131 lakh metric tonnes over the next five years.
- Free electricity for farmers: Rs 7,432 crore allocated for the free electricity scheme in 2026-27.
- Soil fertility improvement: Rs 600 crore earmarked to improve soil fertility, with focus on enhancing micronutrient levels across different soil types.
- Soil Health Cards: 1 lakh farmers will receive Soil Health Cards at a cost of Rs 4 crore to promote efficient fertiliser use.
- Natural farming push: Rs 9.1 crore allocated under the National Mission on Natural Farming to improve soil health, build climate resilience and reduce input costs.
- Farmers AI Scheme: Rs 2 crore allocated to deploy AI and machine learning tools for real-time weather updates, soil health monitoring and market information.
Tamil Nadu Millet Mission: Rs 63.81 crore allocated to expand millet cultivation and improve productivity.- Millet cultivation expansion: Rs 7.61 crore allocated to double the cultivation of millets such as little millet, foxtail millet and kodo millet.
- Cotton Revolution Movement: Rs 27.2 crore allocated for a five-year programme to support cotton farmers.
Tamil Nadu agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister R Vinoth presents the state’s Agriculture Budget for 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, a day after state Finance Minister Marie Wilson tabled the state Budget for the financial year 2026-27.The Agriculture Budget comes against the backdrop of the state government’s recent announcements aimed at supporting farmers.On May 25, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced a waiver of crop loans of up to Rs 50,000 for marginal farmers who had borrowed from cooperative banks. He also announced a relief of Rs 5,000 for larger farmers who had availed crop loans through cooperative banks.On Wednesday, Wilson presented the state Budget for 2026-27, outlining the government’s roadmap to transform Tamil Nadu into a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2031.In his Budget speech, the state Finance Minister praised Chief Minister Vijay’s leadership, saying, “His entry into public service was driven by a moral obligation to the people.” He added that the government had fulfilled and exceeded its initial commitments while working towards social equity.The Budget allocated Rs 300 crore for the modernisation of 3,734 government schools. Under the ‘Super Clean, Super Campus’ scheme, Rs 139 crore has been earmarked in the first phase to provide daily cleaning, drinking water and toilet maintenance in 10,000 schools.Wilson also formally urged the Centre to restore medical admissions based on Class 12 public examination results. In addition, the government announced the ‘Vetri Laptop Scheme’, under which laptops will be provided to college students to strengthen digital learning.The education sector received a major allocation, with Rs 44,527 crore earmarked for the School Education Department and Rs 8,393 crore for the Higher Education Department.The Budget also proposed establishing modern residential schools under the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Model Schools scheme, with an initial allocation of Rs 125 crore. The schools will provide free education, accommodation and healthcare to students from Classes IX to XII.Among other announcements, the government proposed establishing a Special Law College in Madurai and five new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state at an estimated cost of Rs 90 crore.Addressing the state’s finances, the TN Finance Minister said Tamil Nadu’s liabilities had doubled over the previous five years. He said the present government had introduced a more transparent tendering system to ensure greater accountability in public contracts.The Budget also proposed a special levy on liquor manufacturing units, which is expected to generate around Rs 1,000 crore in additional revenue.Wilson further said the government would continue implementing key welfare schemes, including 200 units of free electricity and the specialised rapid response force for women’s safety, while fulfilling all electoral promises in a phased manner.
