Hoping that the seasonal conditions and rainfall will be normal, the following production programme is aimed at in accordance with the projections contemplated during the IV year of the Ninth Five-Year Plan.

 INPUT PROGRAMMES

A. Seeds

The Breeder seeds produced by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University are multiplied into Foundation seeds in 39 State Seed Farms. The Foundation seeds are further multiplied into Certified seeds in the farmer's holdings. The Seed Certification standards are being advocated to ensure quality of seeds. The seeds are processed in the 16 major, 3 medium and 51 mini seed processing units functioning in the State with an annual processing capacity of 28,500 MTs. The Certified seeds are distributed to the farmers through the Agricultural Extension Centres.

 The seed replacement rate for various crops during 2000-2001 will be as follows:

The target for seed procurement and distribution during 1999-2000, the achievement upto February 2000 and the programme for 2000-2001 are as follows:

 B. Fertilisers

The application of chemical fertilisers which supply essential macronutrients viz. nitrogen, phosphorus and potash to the crops at different stages of the crop growth in optimal proportion will ensure the yield to the full potential. The consumption of Chemical Fertilisers during 1999-2000 upto February 2000 and the programme for 2000-2001 are as follows:

 Unit: L.MT

Micro Nutrient mixture - Production and distribution

The micronutrient mixture production unit functioning at Kudumianmalai produces and supplies 1250 M.T. of micronutrients mixture annually and a quantity of 1112 MT has been distributed upto February 2000. During 2000-2001 also, it is programmed to produce and supply 1250 M.T.

Organic Farming

Organic farming is being advocated to safeguard the agro eco-system. The use of quality compost, bio fertilisers, green manure and green leaf manure and application of enriched farm yard manure are the methods of organic farming being popularised to ensure economic and integrated plant nutrition management. Accordingly the following programmes are implemented :-

Bio - fertiliser production and distribution

The department has been continuously advocating use of bio-fertilisers in the State. There are six bio fertiliser production units functioning at Cuddalore, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Kudumianmalai, Sakkottai and Tiruchirappalli to produce and supply 1400 M.T. of bio-fertilisers annually. A quantity of 1387 M.Ts has been produced and supplied through the Agricultural Extension Centres, upto February 2000. It is programmed to produce and supply 1400 M.T. during 2000-2001 also. Moreover a bio-fertiliser quality control Laboratory at Tiruchirapalli is being established at a cost of Rs.17.50 lakhs.

  Production and distribution of green manure seeds

To augment the humus content of the soil, green manure is grown and ploughed in-situ. The scheme was sanctioned to procure 90 MTs of green manure seeds at a cost of Rs. 9.00 lakhs for distribution at 25% subsidy during 1999-2000 on no loss no profit basis. 49.103 MTs of green Manure Seeds have been procured at a cost of Rs. 9.00 lakhs upto February 2000. This scheme is being continued during 2000 - 2001 also.