Billed as the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu, a comprehensive scheme of over ₹800 crore, benefitting at least 12 lakh farmers engaged in dry land agriculture and targeting coverage of around 18 lakh hectares, has been launched in 25 districts. The scheme envisages mobilisation of agriculturists through farmers’ clubs, formation of 1,000 clusters; execution of land development activities and establishment of water harvesting structures; adoption of appropriate cropping system including the provision of quality seeds at 50% subsidy; crop insurance and enabling better marketability of the produce. The new initiative of the government attaches importance to the optimisation of nutrient profile, reproductive health and udder health of cattle owned by the farmers. Taking the help of primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS), machinery required for processing the produce such as dhal and millet will be set up. To be implemented over three years, the scheme will ensure the formation of 200 clusters initially, followed by 400 clusters annually for the subsequent two years. ‘Paradigm shift’ Officials of the Agriculture Department say the scheme marks a “paradigm shift” in the approach of the government vis-à-vis dry land farmers.  Ordinarily, Cauvery delta farmers are given special packages of assistance for the short-term Kuruvai and the long term Samba crops, whereas dry land farmers have remained largely out of sight of the authorities. At present, there is only one scheme — rain-fed area development programme — that provides some assistance to these farmers on piece meal basis.  But, “it is for the first time, the government has come out with a scheme to help the dry land farmers in a systematic way,” an official says.  Even though the Government Order, sanctioning the scheme, talks of appropriate cropping system in the proposed dry lands, the officials say the plan is to encourage the farmers to raise pulses, oil seeds, minor millets and cotton.  However, the farmers themselves, aided by block-level teams of officials and scientists from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, will decide the suitability of crops.  As for the exact number of farmers to be covered, the officials say an enumeration exercise is underway, only after which a clear picture will emerge.  Approximately, the tally may be in the range of 12 lakh to 15 lakh. Promotion for pulses Meanwhile, the government has issued another order, approving a special package of ₹50 crore for the cultivation of pulses over 24,000 hectares in 17 districts.  This has been done to provide the scope for income to farmers in the present context of drought, the officials point out, adding that the pulses, especially black gram (urad dhal) and green gram (moong dhal); fetch generally ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per acre. Moreover, these two grams are of short duration which goes on for 60 days. Apart from providing ₹2,000 per acre, the authorities will distribute portable sprinklers and rain guns.  While 19 per cent of farmers in each block should be from Scheduled Castes and one per cent from Scheduled Tribes, at least 33 per cent of the overall number of beneficiaries should belong to small and marginal farmers and 30 per cent to women. Source - http://www.thehindu.com