The newly presented agriculture budget by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's TVK government has drawn sharp criticism from farmer associations, alleging a massive withdrawal of support for the farming community.
Key Takeaways
- Only 3.69% of the total budget has been allocated to the agriculture sector.
- Major election promises, including paddy procurement price hikes, remain unfulfilled.
- Critical issues like irrigation, electricity supply, and dam desilting were ignored.
- Farmer unions claim the government has 'washed its hands' of their welfare.
The agriculture budget presented by the TVK Government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ignited a political storm in the state. The Southern Districts Farmers Association has expressed deep dissatisfaction, stating that the budget clearly demonstrates that the government has abandoned the farmers who feed the population.
M. Arjunan, General Secretary of the association, highlighted a glaring discrepancy in funding. While the farm budget was expected to be around ₹45,661 crore for 2025-26, the current allocation stands at a mere ₹14,984 crore. This represents only 3.69% of the total budget outlay, despite a massive production target of 131 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that such a significant reduction in agricultural spending during a period of high production targets could lead to a systemic crisis in rural credit and irrigation management. The disconnect between political rhetoric and fiscal allocation poses a long-term risk to food security.
The failure to address fundamental needs like irrigation and fair pricing in the budget could trigger widespread agrarian unrest.
Furthermore, leaders like N.A. Ramachandra Raja of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam pointed out that several key election promises have been sidelined. These include increasing the paddy procurement price from ₹2,600 to ₹3,500 per quintal and providing significant waivers on cooperative crop loans for small and marginal farmers.
Budget Allocation Comparison
| Metric | Previous Budget Trend | Current TVK Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Total Allocation | ₹45,661 Crore | ₹14,984 Crore |
| Budget Share (%) | Significant Portion | 3.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main grievance of the farmers?
Farmers are angry due to the extremely low budget allocation and the government's failure to meet election promises regarding crop prices and loan waivers.
2. Which specific promises were not met?
Promises regarding paddy procurement prices, cooperative loan waivers, and wild boar culling rights were all left unaddressed.
