Blue green algae

It has been programmed to produce and distribute 390 MTs of Blue green algae during 1999-2000. So far 406 MTs have been distributed upto February 2000. For 2000-2001 a quantity of 500 MTs will be produced and distributed.

Distribution of zinc sulphate

The Government have sanctioned a scheme for the distribution of 625 MTs of Zinc sulphate at 25% subsidy during 1999-2000 at a total cost of Rs.31.25 lakhs to the farmers who are engaged in paddy cultivation in an area of 25,000 ha.

Compost competitions

The collection of garbage and composting is done to prevent the environmental pollution and health hazard. Annual compost competitions are conducted among Urban Local Bodies and cash prizes are awarded to encourage the endeavour of each Municipality in the production of maximum quantity and quality compost. During the year 1998-99 four Municipalities i.e. Pudukkottai, Mettur, Pattukkottai and Edappadi were declared and awarded prizes for the best work done under compost production. During the year 1999-2000, 37 municipalities have enrolled for the compost competition and the prizes will be awarded to the Urban Local Bodies based on the performance. During 2000-2001 Compost competition will also be organised.

Sewage Farms

Eighteen Municipalities are maintaining sewage farms. The sewage generated in the Municipalities is utilised in these farms to prevent environmental degradation and health hazards. In these sewage farms crops like fodder grass, coconut, sugarcane and vegetables are raised. Technical advice is rendered to the local bodies on the proper maintenance of these farms for the increased production.

Distribution of Fertiliser Identity cards

To ensure bonafide distribution of fertiliser and to enable the farmers to get fertiliser in time at prescribed prices, fertiliser cards are distributed to farmers in a phased manner. During 1997-98, 1,50,000 fertiliser Identity cards were distributed to the farmers in the selected blocks in the districts of Kancheepuram, Salem, Trichy, Tiruvarur and Madurai in the first phase at the rate of 30,000 cards per selected division of the district. In the second phase, 6,50,000 cards were distributed in the selected divisions of other districts. It is proposed to print 72 lakh Nos. of Fertiliser Identity Cards in a phased manner so that all the farmers in the State would be benefitted.

C. Plant Protection

The pests and diseases situation in Tamil Nadu is being monitored constantly through systematic pest surveillance work. The field data are collected every week from 7356 locations, processed and forewarnings are given to the farmers on the possible outbreak of pests and diseases. Upto February 2000, plant protection measures were taken up in an area of 54 L.Ha. in food crops and 22 L.Ha. in non-food crops and seed treatment was taken up in an area of 21 L.Ha.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Farmers Field School approach is very well acknowledged by the farmers. The object of this scheme is to maximise the production at a minimum cost and simultaneously to obviate the ill effects like environmental pollution, pesticide residues in food, resurgence of pests, increased cost of pesticides etc. The IPM concept is being emphasised through Centrally Sponsored Schemes like ICDP (Rice), AMDP, OPP, and NPDP. During 1999-2000, the following programmes have been implemented under IPM through Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

Programme and achievement

As a part of IPM activities, pest surveillance is done periodically. To train the farmers on pest surveillance and also to impart training to the departmental staff, two State IPM Centres at Madurai and Kancheepuram have been established in addition to the Government of India IPM Centre at Tiruchirappalli. These centres will also produce bio-control agents and distribute to the farmers.

To help the propagation of IPM concept, eight bio-control agents’ production centres at Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Dharmapuri, Erode, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Thanjavur Districts have been established to produce and supply bio-control agents to small/ marginal farmers at reasonable cost.

Biological control Activities

The following are the coverage of area under various Biocontrol agents released on various crops: -

The above schemes are also proposed to be implemented during 2000-2001.

Increasing pulses production by DAP Foliar spraying

To increase the production of pulses especially in rice fallows 2% Foliar application of DAP is recommended. To popularise this strategy a subsidy of 25% amounting to Rs.62.50 per ha. is given to cover 50000 ha. during 1999-2000 at a total cost of Rs.31.25 lakhs. Upto February 2000, 49600 ha. have been covered.

Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Tree Planting Programme

"The Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Tree Planting Scheme" was implemented during 1997-98 and 1998-99 and tree seedlings have been planted in 81 Panchayat Unions in 27 districts. They were handed over to the Panchayat Unions for maintenance from 1.4.99 onwards. For extending the Tree Planting Scheme the Government have issued instructions to the District Collectors to provide funds under Employment Assurance Scheme.

State Agricultural Council

To facilitate formation of Agricultural Council to advise Government including Policy issues, a Core Committee has been formed by Government under the Chairmanship of Dr.G.Rangaswamy, former Vice Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University with members who are experts in Agriculture in order to do the required preliminary work and also to suggest to Government regarding the formation of State Agricultural Council. The Committee has submitted its report and it is under examination.

Activities of the department under one umbrella

The functions of the Department of Agriculture and its sister departments were under separate offices, which was found inconvenient by the farmers. Taking into account this the Government have ordered that the officials of all the sister departments in the districts should work together and render necessary assistance to the farmers in regard to supply of inputs, implements and technical assistance.