The United Nations has declared the year 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers. By turning women into drone operators, tasks such as fertilizer application, pesticide spraying, and crop monitoring will become easier.
For this purpose, drone operator training and operator licenses will be provided to 500 people, including 100 eligible women, at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore at the Tamil Nadu University Remote Pilot Training Institute.
Under this scheme called ‘Vettri Vaanmagal,’ drones worth Rs. 2.50 crore will also be provided at a 50 percent subsidy to 50 women who have completed the training.
‘Vettri Illatharasi Home Garden’
In apartment complexes located in urban areas, and in the land areas surrounding homes in rural areas, vegetables, fruits, medicinal herbs, and similar plants will be grown using kits with grow bags, vertical gardens, and hydroponic garden setups, creating a healthy environment as well. The ‘Vetri Illatharasi Home Garden Scheme’ will be implemented at a cost of Rs. 10 crore.
Award for farmers in the names of Nammalvar and Anjalai Ammal
To encourage small and marginal farmers, the ‘Makkal Sevagar Anjalaiyammal Small and Marginal Farmer Award’ will be presented. Under this, a total of Rs. 50 lakh will be awarded to 30 farmers, with 3 farmers receiving Rs. 2.50 lakh, Rs. 1.50 lakh, and Rs. 1 lakh respectively.
At the district level, the ‘Vetri Vivasayi Award’ will be presented to farmers who cultivate 2 acres of land with 9 crops, including paddy, millets, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton, and achieve high yields.
As first prize, Rs.50,000 and as second prize, Rs.25,000 will be awarded, with 90 prizes in total. To honor farmers practicing organic farming, the ‘Nammalvar Award’ for the best organic farmers will be given to 5 farmers. Each of them will receive Rs.2 lakh.
* The ‘Self-Sufficiency Mission for Pulses and Oilseeds’ will be implemented with a total outlay of Rs.203.64 crore, including Rs.65.28 crore for pulses and Rs.138.36 crore for oilseeds, from Central and State funding allocations.
* To tackle climate change, the ‘Agroforestry Scheme’ will be implemented at a cost of Rs.17.70 crore.
* Rs. 2.80 crore has been allocated to set up threshing floors in agricultural lands, and Rs. 10 crore has been allocated for providing tarpaulins.
* For setting up solar-powered motors along with borewells, Rs. 56.72 crore has been allocated as a special subsidy for SC and ST farmers, and Rs. 23 crore for other farmers.
* A grand agricultural machinery exhibition will be held in Thanjavur.
* Rs. 1.87 crore has been allocated to cultivate foreign fruits such as blueberry, dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi, and avocado on 930 acres, both as standalone crops and as intercrops.
* Rs. 2 crore allocated to improve buffalo breeding, and Rs. 2.50 crore as maintenance assistance for 5,000 livestock owned by women self-help groups.
* Electronic price boards at 59 farmers’ markets at a cost of Rs. 2.40 crore.
* Storage warehouses will be set up at the sales centers in Polur, Tiruvannamalai district, and Ammur, Ranipet district, along with 500-ton cold storage facilities near ports and airports.