The state govt’s interim agriculture Budget on Tuesday highlighted an increase in paddy cultivation and overall cropped area in the state. Attributing the growth to sustained state intervention, the budget signalled a fresh push for agroforestry in the coming years. The policy will enable farmers to cultivate high-value trees such as teak, sandalwood, red sanders and mahogany.Presenting the Budget in the Assembly, agriculture minister M R K Panneerselvam said the allocation for the sector has been increased to 47,248 crore from 45,661 crore the previous year. The exclusive agriculture budget was introduced after the incumbent DMK govt assumed office. Over the past five years, 1.94 lakh crore has been allocated to agriculture and allied sectors, the minister said. Panneerselvam said the ‘Tamil Nadu Agroforestry Policy’ has been approved by the govt and will be released soon. “The policy provides for relaxation of rules on felling, and transportation of felled high-value trees, provision of necessary assistance for planting and maintenance, as well as formulation and implementation of schemes to promote agroforestry,” he said in his Budget speech.The minister said paddy cultivation witnessed a sharp increase due to targeted govt support. In 2025–26, a special package for paddy cultivation during the kar/ kuruvai/ sornavari seasons was implemented for the first time in non-delta districts at a cost of 115 crore. As a result, paddy was cultivated in 12.48 lakh acres across the state, an increase of three lakh acres compared to the previous year. He added that an additional 3.48 lakh hectares were brought under irrigation through initiatives such as watershed development programmes, desilting of ‘C’ and ‘D’ channels in the Cauvery, Vennar and Vellar sub-basins and the Grand Anicut canal ayacut areas. Two lakh free electricity connections provided by the govt also facilitated this rise, he said. Panneerselvam said efforts taken by the DMK govt for inclusive development benefitted SC/ST farmers. He said 70% subsidy is being extended for agricultural machinery and high-value components such as poly greenhouses. An additional subsidy of 62 crore was provided to 17,340 SC/ST farmers. Emphasising mechanisation amid a shortage of agricultural labour, he said 77,499 farm machines and equipment were distributed over the past five years, with subsidies amounting to 783 crore.
