2010-2011 - Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly

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intending to practise organic farming. Due to this, organic farming
products are fetching good prices within the country and abroad.
By setting up model farms, the Agriculture Department has
imparted training in organic farming to the farmers. 10,000
farmers have registered to take up organic farming in the last
three years to cultivate 56 categories of crops in an area of about
28,000 acres. The farmers achieving record production of paddy
under organic farming are given awards.
12. With a view to continuing to implement the scheme
of providing free electricity to farmers, a sum of Rs.295 crores has
been provided as subsidy to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.
13. Under the scheme for providing various welfare
benefits to poor landless agricultural labourers and small and
marginal farmers through Tamil Nadu Farmers and Agricultural
Labourers Welfare Board, 1.73 crore persons belonging to
76 lakh families have enrolled so far. Welfare assistance to the
tune of Rs.415 crores has been provided to 5.10 lakh
beneficiaries so far. A sum of Rs.152 crores has been allocated
for implementing this scheme in the coming financial year.
14. The scheme of organising farmers into self help
groups and providing these groups revolving fund is being
effectively implemented for the last two years. 20,000 Self Help
Groups consisting of 2.07 lakh farmers have been formed so far
and revolving fund to the tune of Rs.20 crores has been provided
to them. A sum of Rs.243 crores has been provided to these
groups as crop loan. 10,000 more groups will be formed during
the coming financial year. While forming such groups, priority