Ravi Sam, Chairman, Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has appreciated M K.Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and MRK Paneeerselvam for allocating Rs 33,007.68 crore to the Agriculture Department in the State Agriculture Budget for the year 2022-23 which would benefit farmers at large and cotton farmers in particular.

He welcomed the allocation of Rs 15.32 crore in the Budget to enhance cotton yield. The average cotton yield per hectare in the state is around 585 kg as against the world average of 805 kg while over 20 countries achieve over 1,500 kg per hectare, he points out. SIMA Cotton Development & Research Association (SIMA CD&RA) has been closely working with the Department of Agriculture in implementing various schemes relating to cotton.

The state has potential to increase the cotton production from the current level of 5 to 15 lakh bales in five years with the proposed Mission. The state would encourage cultivation of sustainable, extra-long staple cotton and implement the Mission right from the supply of genetically pure seeds, he added.

Sam also appreciated the allocation of funds for setting up of 3,000 solar powered pump sets that would benefit farmers and reduce the burden on government for free power supply to agriculture. He said, the government may increase the allocation for solar pumpset that would greatly benefit TANGEDCO to reduce its losses and also the budget allocation for free power supply to agriculture.

He said the allocation of Rs 150 crore to use machinery to overcome labor shortage will help farmers to increase their net income and in the case of cotton, battery operated Kapas Plucker double their net income. Mechanization would also help farmers improve soil condition, conserve water, increase yield, plan sowing and harvesting in the right time and fetch better revenue. He also welcomed fund allocations for digital agriculture, crop insurance scheme, State Agriculture Development Plan and creation of new soil testing centre in Mayiladuthurai.