T.N. will take appropriate steps to get Cauvery water for farmers: Agriculture Minister

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister R. Vinoth said on Thursday that the Tamil Nadu government will take appropriate steps to get its share of Cauvery water from Karnataka to protect the livelihood of farmers.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of third regional level pre-Agriculture Budget consultative meeting with farmers here, Mr. Vinoth responded to views expressed by Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy on the State’s inability to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu due to insufficient rain and low storage levels in its reservoirs.

“Rights of farmers in the State will be protected. After discussing with the Chief Minister appropriate steps will be taken to secure release of Cauvery water by Karnataka,” he said.

The Minister said that various initiatives including high use of machines in cultivation, execution of new technologies, effective use of water for irrigation, organic farming, support for food processing, value-added products and their export, and adoption of renewable energy in agriculture were discussed in the consultative meeting with farmers, who had come from eight surrounding districts including Chengelpattu, Cuddalore, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet and Tirupattur, he said.

The Minister also noted that setting up of fruit pulp has remained a major demand of farmers in the region as acres of farmland are under mango cultivation. Adequate storage facilities including paddy procurement centres, incentives for dairy farmers by providing free cattle are also discussed at the meeting. 

The three-hour long meeting was attended by Minister for Human Resources Management D. Sarathkumar, Collector P.S. Leela Alex, officials of Department of Agriculture, elected representatives and farmers.