Tamil Nadu CM Announces Rs 560 Crore Crop Insurance Compensation for Rainfall-Hit Farmers

In a significant move to alleviate the hardships faced by farmers in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M K Stalin has declared a crop insurance compensation of Rs 560 crore. This financial relief is directed towards farmers who suffered losses during the Northeast Monsoon in the 2022-23 samba cultivation season due to rainfall deficits.

The compensation will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of approximately six lakh eligible farmers residing in districts affected by natural calamities such as drought, floods, cyclones, and monsoon failures, Chief Minister Stalin announced. During the 2022-2023 agricultural season, a total of 11.20 lakh farmers had enrolled under the crop insurance scheme, covering paddy crops cultivated in 24.45 lakh acres.

To ease the burden on farmers and provide them with essential support, the state government had already allocated a subsidy of Rs 1,375 crore from the total insurance amount of Rs 2,319 crore. In addition to the state's subsidy, the central government contributed Rs 824 crore as an insurance premium subsidy, while the farmers themselves contributed Rs 120 crore, according to an official release.

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Despite producing 46 lakh metric tons of paddy during the 2022-23 season, certain districts in Tamil Nadu experienced deficient Northeast Monsoon rainfall. This deficit adversely affected the crops in districts including Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Pudukottai, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, and Thoothukudi. As a result, over 33 percent of the crops cultivated in 3,52,797 acres suffered damage due to moderate drought conditions.

Chief Minister Stalin's decision to provide this financial aid underscores the Tamil Nadu government's commitment to supporting its farming community during challenging times. It comes as a relief to countless farmers who rely on agriculture as their primary livelihood.

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Furthermore, it's worth noting that the state government had already extended its support by allocating Rs 181.40 crore in relief from the State Disaster Response Fund to 1,87,275 farmers on September 4, offering immediate assistance to those affected by natural calamities.

The latest announcement not only provides much-needed financial assistance to farmers but also emphasizes the government's dedication to the welfare and prosperity of the agricultural sector in Tamil Nadu.

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