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DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday criticised the Tamil Nadu government's Agriculture Budget 2026, alleging that it failed to address the concerns of farmers and was instead used to praise the ruling dispensation led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
In a post on X, Stalin alleged that the budget ignored pressing issues such as drought and crop losses suffered by farmers during the Kuruvai cultivation season. "Instead of addressing drought, the Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2026 was used solely to sing praises and shower the Chief Minister with flattery," Stalin said. Targeting the government, he alleged that it had merely rebranded existing schemes instead of introducing meaningful measures for farmers. "This government has turned out to be nothing more than another name-changing exercise. Does this government think its job is done simply by sticking the label 'Victory' onto its schemes?" he said. Stalin further alleged that the budget had failed to provide relief to Delta farmers who had suffered crop losses during the Kuruvai season. "This agricultural budget has proven to be an empty budget, offering nothing to the Delta farmers who have suffered crop losses during the Kuruvai cultivation season and are eagerly waiting for the government's helping hand," he said. The DMK chief said his party would continue to raise farmers' concerns in the Assembly. "Throughout this Assembly session, our party members will loudly raise the demands of our great farmers," Stalin said. Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister Vinoth on Thursday presented the Agriculture Budget 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly, announcing a series of measures aimed at improving farmers' income, expanding irrigation, promoting sustainable farming and strengthening crop insurance, while unveiling a new Rs 600 crore Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission. Presenting the Budget, Vinoth said Tamil Nadu's agriculture had evolved from subsistence farming to a modern, technology-driven and market-oriented sector through irrigation expansion, mechanisation, precision farming, artificial intelligence and data-driven governance. The minister said the Budget had been prepared after consultations with farmers, farmer associations, agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and exporters across Salem, Thanjavur, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Chennai and surrounding districts. "This Agriculture Budget has been prepared by giving due consideration to the suggestions, opinions and demands expressed during those consultations," he said. According to the minister, the Budget prioritises farmers' welfare, income enhancement, expansion and conservation of water resources, agricultural research, irrigation management, natural farming, agricultural marketing and strengthening of Farmer Producer Organisations. Vinoth announced that the State government would allocate Rs 648.55 crore for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana during 2026-27. The scheme is expected to benefit 15 lakh farmers by providing crop insurance coverage for 36 lakh acres, with the government aiming for 100 per cent crop insurance coverage across notified crops. (ANI)
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