Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) protects farmers against crop loss caused by natural calamities, droughts, floods, and unseasonal rains with subsidized premium rates.

How to enroll:

• Enroll through your local Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society (PACCS), commercial bank, or common e-Sevai centers.
• Farmers can also register directly on the national crop insurance portal (pmfby.gov.in↗).

Subsidized premium:

• Farmers pay only a nominal 1.5% to 2% premium for food grains and oilseeds, and 5% for horticultural crops; the remaining bulk subsidy is borne by the State and Central Governments.

Required documents:

• Land Patta and Chitta copy.
• Crop Sowing Certificate (Adangal) issued by the local Village Administrative Officer (VAO).
• Aadhaar card and active bank savings account passbook.
• Must enroll before the notified seasonal cutoff deadline for your district crop.

The Tamil Nadu Government provides generous subsidies for micro-irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler) and agricultural machinery to promote water efficiency.

Subsidy rates:

• Small and Marginal Farmers (up to 5 acres): 100% full subsidy (completely free equipment).
• Other Farmers: 75% government subsidy.
• Farm Machinery (Tractors, power tillers, transplanters, rotavators): 40% to 50% capital subsidy under the Agricultural Mechanization Scheme.

How to apply:

• Apply via the official 'Uzhavan App' or the TN Agri portal (tnagrisnet.tn.gov.in↗).
• Contact the Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) or Assistant Director of Horticulture (ADH) at your taluk block.

Required documents:

• Land Patta, Chitta, and Village Adangal.
• Small/Marginal Farmer Certificate issued by the Tahsildar.
• Proof of water source (Well/Borewell and electricity service connection).
• Aadhaar card, photograph, and bank passbook.

Selling fertilizers above Maximum Retail Price (MRP), black-marketing urea, distributing spurious seeds, or refusing purchase receipts is strictly prohibited under the Fertilizer Control Order.

How to report violations:

• Uzhavan Mobile App: Use the 'Grievance Redressal' tab for instant complaint filing.
• Kisan Call Centre: Dial 1800-180-1551 (Toll-free 24/7).
• State Agricultural Control Room: Call 044-28583737.
• District Level: Submit a written complaint to the Joint Director of Agriculture (JDA) or Assistant Director (Quality Control) at the District Collectorate.

Important advice:

• Always insist on a printed GST cash invoice from the merchant mentioning batch number and price. Keep this receipt as proof for legal action.