Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government would jointly address the issue of mango farmers, who were unable to get adequate remunerative prices despite higher production.

At an interaction meeting with farmers at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, he met about 500 beneficiary farmers of various schemes like PM-Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY), National Pulses Mission, National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), Cluster Frontline Demonstrations on Pulses (CFLD on pulses), and demonstrations on Fermented Organic Manure and Liquid Fermented Organic Manure (FOM/LFOM).

He said the farmers expressed their concern over inadequate prices for mango production. The Minister assured that the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government would jointly address the issue and promised that mango farmers would not face this problem from next year.

During the meeting, he took feedback from the farmers on how they had benefited from various Central schemes, the constraints faced by them in agriculture, animal husbandry, or fisheries, and suggested measures to overcome these challenges.

The Minister also visited exhibition stalls set up by various stakeholders for the information and benefit of the participating farmers.

He interacted with farmers from six districts in two choupals. In Choupal 1, he interacted with PM-DDKY farmers from four districts of Tamil Nadu — Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram — and said that under PM-DDKY, efforts will be made to bring convergence of 36 Central Government schemes from 11 Ministries to benefit farmers.

He added that Tamil Nadu farmers would be supported by all possible means through the Central Government. He also enquired with the four KVK Heads about how the convergence is planned. Farmers who adopted natural farming, mundu chilli, and CFLD on oilseeds and pulses expressed their satisfaction.

In Choupal 2, the Pulses Mission was highlighted by the Union Agriculture Minister. He explained how the Hon’ble Prime Minister has launched a unique programme across the country to make India self-sufficient in pulse production. He mentioned that, being a pulse-deficient state, Tamil Nadu would immensely benefit as the scheme assures improved varieties, management technologies, processing, and 100% marketing support.

He appreciated the pulse varieties released by the National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban (TNAU).

Mr. Chouhan said that efforts will be made to resolve issues faced by farmers due to pest and disease menace in coconut cultivation.

He added that due to the glut in mango production, the prices have become non-remunerative, and the Union Government will explore the possibility of establishing and promoting value addition and processing industries for mangoes.

He further assured that the Centre will aid in including all eligible beneficiaries of Tamil Nadu under the PM-Kisan scheme, thereby benefiting a large number of farmers.

The Minister expressed his admiration for Tamil Nadu farmers, appreciating their culture, values, and hard-working nature, and assured that he would return to Tamil Nadu to interact further with farmers on natural farming and other initiatives.