CHENNAI: The C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government has set a five-year target of producing 131 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of food grains, with an immediate target of 125 LMT for 2026-27, as part of a roadmap to increase agricultural output and expand irrigation coverage.The government also plans to improve the yields of pulses, fruits and vegetables to promote self-sufficiency and address nutritional gaps.Presenting the TVK government’s maiden agriculture budget, agriculture minister R Vinoth said the government would focus on expanding irrigation by creating new sources such as farm ponds and borewells.“As this government’s prime vision is to increase the irrigated area by creating irrigation sources like farm ponds and borewells, about 2,600 acres of rainfed lands will receive irrigation. Besides, by increasing irrigation water use efficiency through micro-irrigation systems, an additional 50,000 acres will be provided with irrigation,” Vinoth said.The government also reaffirmed its support for farmers by allocating Rs 7,432 crore for three-phase uninterrupted free power supply to the agricultural sector.
