TN to achieve record foodgrain production of 170 lakh tonne

Tamil Nadu will achieve a record foodgrain production of 170 lakh tonnes during 2015-16 and bag the prestigious Krishi Karman award for the third time, State Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development Minister, R Vaithilingam, said today.
The focused approach, coupled with the adoption of improved farming techniques, helped Tamil Nadu achieve record production in the last four years of AIADMK rule, under the leadership of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Vaithilingam said.
Speaking at the annual Farmers' Day 2016, at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,he said the foodgrain production has gone up from 78 lakh tonnes four years ago to 101 lakh tonnes in 2011-12, to 110 lakh tonnes the following year before crossing the 127 lakh tonne mark last year.

Tamil Nadu had bagged Krishi Karman award in 2011-12 and 2013-14 for record foodgrain production and pulses production respectively, he said.
He said efforts taken by the university towards accelerating innovation and extension system have helped in improving the yield levels significantly.
Vaithilingam is also pro-Chancellor of the university.
University Vice-Chancellor K Ramasamy said TNAU had released 1,500 advanced farming techniques, 799 crop varieties and 162 farm implements for benefit of the farmers.