Chennai: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister R. Vinoth on Monday announced the setting up of nine seed storage godowns to protect the quality of seeds and provide them for cultivation. 

Replying to the discussion on the demand for grants to the farmers welfare department, the minister said steps would be taken to obtain a Geographical Indication tag for Kanchipuram chilli, Poyyur brinjal, Chidambaram blackgram, Thiruvaiyaru banana leaf, Eraiyur yam, Karumandhurai ink nut. Manapparai brinjal and Ooty garlic.

Vinoth said 28,850 honey crushing machines would be provided for the farmers to encourage honey production. He said ‘Climate Proofing of Rainfed Watersheds in Salem and Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu’ would be set up for adaptation to the impacts of climate change through effective soil and water conservation management, promoting crop diversification, enhancing livelihoods to attain sustainable livelihoods and building the capacity of the community.

Entry point activities such as construction of drinking water storage tanks have been undertaken to meet the essential requirements of the watershed people in order to establish a harmonious relationship with the villagers. Water and soil resource management activities such as construction of check dams, farm ponds, percolation ponds, recharge shafts, as well as promoting livelihoods through MSME activities such as vermicomposting and backyard poultry. Climate protection activities such as alternate cropping, climate-resilient crop varieties, afforestation in public and private lands, solar-powered water pump sets and bio-composting are also encouraged.

Tags: