Jayalalithaa announces Rs.64 cr. special scheme for Samba crop

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday said her government would implement Rs 64.30 crore combined scheme for direct sowing of Samba crop in the delta region if the Mettur dam could not get adequate water by end of August.

Making a sumo motu statement in the Assembly, she said samba crop would normally cover 14,93,000 acre if there was adequate rain during the North-East monsoon and adequate water in Mettur.

“I hope that we will get a favourable judgement in the Supreme Court and water will be released for samba crop. But a good government prepare itself to overcome hurdles,” she said explaining the reason behind launching the direct sowing scheme for samba.

She said farmers would get Rs. 500 per acre for sowing and the total allocation was Rs. 25 crore. “Farmers will get Rs. 10 per kg of seed as grant to get quality seeds and the government will allot Rs. 4.50 crore for the purpose,” she said.

To facilitate mechanised sowing, a farmer will get Rs 600 per acre and the allocation for the scheme is Rs. 3 crore. As weeds are likely to sprout in direct sowing, farmers will get Rs. 280 per acre for herbicide. Moreover, farmers will get Rs. 2000 per acre as grant in areas where plantation is done through machines and the government will allot Rs 20 crore.

“Since deficiency of zinc sulphate will affect the crop yield, a grant of Rs 200 per acre will be given and it will cost Rs 2 crore”, the Ms. Jayalalithaa said.