NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE FOR KHARIF CAMPAIGN - 2026 SPEECH OF THE HON'BLE AGRICULTURE - FARMERS WELFARE MINISTER Thiru.R.Vinoth Hon'ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan ji, Ministers of State Shri Ramnath Thakur ji and Shri Chowdhary ji, esteemed Agriculture Ministers from other States, Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Senior Officers from Government of India and other States, Good Afternoon to everyone. I took charge as the Minister for Agriculture-Farmers Welfare a week ago. After assuming office, this is my official maiden speech as the Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of Tamil Nadu state. I am truly happy and honoured that it coincides with my participation in this Kharif Conference. I am deeply indebted to Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thalapathy C. JOSEPH VIJAY. Tamil Nadu is an agrarian state, with more than 40 percent of the people depending on agriculture. Our Hon'ble Chief Minister has promised a lot of reforms to the farmers, making them economically strong and bringing smiles to their faces. "உழுதுண்டு வாழ்வாரே வாழ்வார் மற்றெல்லாம் தொழுதுண்டு பின் செல்பவர்" says the Saint Tiruvalluvar in Tirukural. It means "people may pursue various professions and trades to make a living, but society is ultimately dependent on the farmer. That is why farmers assume prime importance in society." As I come from Thanjavur District, the heartland in the Cauvery Delta region where agriculture remains the backbone of the majority of the people, I am totally committed to the welfare of farmers. Tamil Nadu is endowed with rich natural resources and supports diverse cropping systems including Paddy, Pulses, Oilseeds, Cotton, Sugarcane, Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, Plantation crops, Spices and Medicinal plants. In Tamil Nadu, about 93 percent of the total farmers belong to the Small and Marginal category and they cultivate 62 percent of the total land holdings. Paddy is our staple crop and occupies 35 percent of the total cropped area in Tamil Nadu. More than 20 lakh farmers cultivate paddy, and their entire livelihood revolves around it. The Government of India used to assist paddy farmers by extending assistance for the production and distribution of quality seeds. This scheme covered a maximum number of farmers. However, the Government of India's decision to discontinue subsidy assistance for paddy seed production and distribution under the RKVY and National Food Security and Nutrition Mission will cause unrest among the farmers. Hence, I request the Union Minister to reconsider the decision and provide at least distribution subsidy, which will give direct benefit to farmers. Tamil Nadu has an acute agricultural labour shortage which compels us to go for Farm Mechanization in a big way. The support of the Government of India in Farm Mechanization has been immense and I am thankful for the assistance. However, I have come to know that the Government of India has decided to limit the outlay for high-value agricultural machinery such as tractors and combine harvesters to 25 percent. These machineries are not only essential for ensuring timely farm operations but also support even small and marginal farmers to earn additional livelihood by hiring out. So, I request that this limit be relaxed to 35% under the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization. As the Kharif season is about to commence, the fertilizer requirement, especially of Urea and DAP, is expected to increase and sufficient stocking needs to be ensured. Hence, I request that fertilizers be supplied as per the Monthly Supply Plan. I wish to inform the Union Minister that our Hon'ble Chief Minister has already written a letter to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India. In Tamil Nadu, farmers are protesting against the price rise of fertilizers. So, I request the Union Minister to roll back the price rise of Potash, Ammonium Sulphate and Complex fertilizers in the interest of farmers. Tamil Nadu is a highly progressive state that contributes significantly to the national economy. It is also a water-starved state calling for serious steps like creation of water harvesting structures and implementation of Micro Irrigation. However, the Government of India's allocation of funds for Per Drop More Crop has been reduced to 90,000 ha. But we have the scope to cover around 1.25 lakh ha every year. Considering the overall benefit offered to farmers, as well as the enhancement of crop productivity, I request the Government of India to increase the central share of allocation to Tamil Nadu under the Per Drop More Crop Scheme from Rs.255 Crore to Rs.300 crore. On behalf of our Hon'ble Chief Minister, I wish to assure that the State Government is fully committed to introducing various agriculture reforms for the welfare of farmers and ensuring that the agricultural sector flourishes. To this end, the state will make all-out efforts to plan and implement all centrally sponsored schemes and also fully cooperate in piloting new schemes introduced by the Government of India. I sincerely hope that the Government of India would also provide support in all our efforts towards a greater transformation in agriculture. We look forward to continued support and cooperation from the Union Government to Tamil Nadu. Nandri!!! Vanakkam!!! Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai - 9