Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam announced on Saturday that eligible farmers who have registered with and supplied sugarcane to sugar mills for the 2024-25 crushing season will receive a special incentive of Rs 349 per Metric Tonne of sugarcane, in addition to the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) set by the Union Government.
“This will benefit approximately 1.30 lakh sugarcane farmers. A total of Rs 297 crore will be allocated for this scheme,” the Minister stated while presenting the 2025-26 budget in the State Assembly.
The Minister also highlighted a special initiative to promote the cultivation of traditional vegetable varieties, recognizing their importance in consumption. A dedicated program will be launched to encourage farmers to grow traditional vegetables.
The scheme will support the cultivation of varieties such as Manaparrai Kathari, Sillukodi Kathari, Kulasai Kathari, Periya Kollampatti Kathari, Tharuvai Thakkali, Manjalkudam Thakkali, Anaikomban Vendai, Sivappu Vendai, Siragu Avarai, and Mukkuthi Avarai, with an allocation of Rs 2.40 crore. It is expected to benefit 7,000 farmers cultivating these vegetables on 2,500 acres of land.
