Tiruchi (Tamil Nadu), May 18 (IANS) Farmers across Tamil Nadu, particularly from the Cauvery Delta region, have expressed hope that the new TVK-led state government will continue the practice of presenting an exclusive Agriculture Budget and hold extensive consultations with farming communities before finalising its proposals.

Farmer organisations have urged the government to engage directly with cultivators and stakeholders to understand their concerns and priorities before the presentation of the budget, as a consultative approach adopted in previous years had helped ensure that farmers’ voices were reflected in policy decisions and welfare measures.

Tamil Nadu became the first state in the country to introduce a separate Agriculture Budget during the 2021–22 financial year. Before presenting the budget, the previous administration conducted 28 consultative meetings across the state involving a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, farmer associations, organic farming groups, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), agricultural machinery manufacturers, seed producers, traders, dairy and poultry farmers, fishermen, experts and elected representatives.

Apart from direct interactions, suggestions were also collected through petitions and email submissions before the budget proposals were finalised.

The Agriculture Budget had placed emphasis on crop diversification, innovation in farming practices, improved market access, promotion of organic farming, nutrition-related initiatives and technological adaptation in cultivation methods. It also included announcements related to subsidies and incentives aimed at benefiting farmers.

Farmer representatives said the consultative meetings had given cultivators an opportunity to openly present their concerns and priority demands. According to them, selected representatives of farmer associations were also invited to Chennai to participate in discussions before the finalisation of budget proposals.

With the new government expected to prepare its first budget, farmers have suggested that even if there is limited time, region-wise consultations should be organised. They believe such meetings would help identify local challenges and region-specific agricultural priorities.

However, some farmer leaders argued that an exclusive Agriculture Budget alone would not address the sector’s core issues unless adequate financial support reaches the state. They stressed that securing pending funds and implementing promises related to procurement prices for paddy and sugarcane would provide more immediate relief and strengthen the agricultural sector.

–IANS

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