T.N. Agriculture Budget: ₹600 crore over five years for Tamil Nadu Soil Fertility Mission
An allocation of ₹122 crore has been earmarked for the scheme this year
The Tamil Nadu Soil Fertility Mission, a five-year initiative costing ₹600 crore, was unveiled by Agriculture Minister Vinoth R in the state's agriculture budget presented on Thursday. This budgetary allocation earmarks ₹122 crore for the scheme's implementation in the current year. The mission's primary objective is to address the adverse impact of continuous use of chemical fertilizers, poor crop residue management, and improper biomass recycling on soil health and crop productivity.
The mission aims to increase the population of beneficial soil micro-organisms, reclaim alkaline and saline soils, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, and promote natural and organic farming practices. Under this scheme, one lakh farmers will receive Soil Health Cards, funded by the state's own resources at an outlay of ₹4 crore.
Additionally, approximately three lakh farmers with a Farmer Identification Number (FID) will also receive Soil Health Cards, with a combined allocation of ₹6.16 crore by the Union and State Governments.
To boost the beneficial soil micro-organisms that contribute to soil fertility, the Tamil Nadu Government will distribute liquid biofertilizers over a one lakh acre area, costing ₹4.50 crore. The budget also provides Rs. 10 crore for establishing permanent vermicompost production units to support organic farming. For reclaiming alkaline and saline soils, soil amendment demonstrations will be conducted on 2,000 acres, amounting to a ₹2 crore outlay.
The Tamil Nadu Soil Fertility Mission will commence operations in 2026-27 with ten components, a total outlay of ₹122.51 crore.
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