The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, announced that it would set up ‘Uzhavar Angadis’ along the lines of ‘Uzhavar Sandhais’ (farmers markets) with an outlay of ₹5 crore, from the State fund.
Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare M.R.K. Panneerselvam said 100 Uzhavar Angadis would be established to facilitate easy access to quality agricultural produce and value-added products, for urban consumers. “Agricultural produce, adhering to specified quality norms, will be directly procured from farmers, graded, packed, branded and sold through Uzhavar Angadis,” he said.
Click here to read the full text of Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2024-25
Pointing out that there was a “noted shortfall” in the consumption of fruits and vegetables among consumers, Mr. Panneerselvam said kits comprising saplings of banana, papaya, moringa and curry leaf would be distributed to encourage the cultivation of nutritious fruit crops in home gardens.
“This initiative aims to provide access to pesticide-free, non-toxic fruits and vegetables. An allocation of ₹4 crore has been designated for this scheme.