Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin Launches ₹103.38 Crore “Nutrition Agriculture Mission” and Inaugurates 52 New Agricultural Infrastructure Projects

In a major step to transform Tamil Nadu’s agricultural sector, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin today launched the “Nutrition Agriculture Mission”, a new flagship initiative aimed at boosting the production of nutrition-rich crops and ensuring food security for the people. The Chief Minister also inaugurated 52 newly constructed agricultural infrastructure facilities across various districts, built at a total cost of ₹103.38 crore.

The launch event, held at the Secretariat in Chennai, marked the formal beginning of this mission under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. As part of the initiative, the CM also distributed starter seed kits, fruit saplings, and pulses cultivation packs to five beneficiary farmers, encouraging the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and pulses.

Key Objectives of the Nutrition Agriculture Mission

The mission aims to significantly enhance the cultivation of nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, and pulses such as greens, gourds, okra, tomatoes, and millet-based produce. It seeks to boost both household kitchen gardening and community farming, thereby improving the nutritional intake of the population and increasing farmers’ income.

This mission was announced in the 2025–26 Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Budget with an allocation of ₹67 crore. It involves the distribution of:

• 15 lakh vegetable kits,
• 9 lakh fruit sapling kits (including papaya, guava, and lemon), and
• 1 lakh pulse seed kits (including moringa, lablab beans, and red gram).

These kits will be given to selected beneficiaries to promote home and small-scale farming of nutritious crops.

52 Agricultural Facilities Inaugurated

The Chief Minister also inaugurated 52 agricultural buildings and centers, constructed with an investment of ₹103.38 crore. These include:

• 2 Primary Processing Centers (₹8.68 crore)
• 14 Cold Storage Facilities across districts like Tenkasi, Karur, and Kanchipuram (₹28.50 crore)
• 4 Warehouses with 1,000 MT capacity in Coimbatore (₹8 crore)
• 3 Regulated Agricultural Market Sales Centers in Tenkasi and Tiruvannamalai (₹14.18 crore)
• 3 Agricultural Intelligence Units in Chengalpattu, Tirupathur, and Ramanathapuram (₹2.52 crore)
• 8 Integrated Agricultural Extension Centers in Ariyalur, Virudhunagar, Krishnagiri, and others (₹22.65 crore)
• 10 Dryland Agricultural Extension Centers in districts like Thanjavur, Tiruppur, and Pudukkottai (₹5 crore)
• 2 Seed Storage Warehouses with 250 MT capacity in Cuddalore and Kallakurichi (₹1.20 crore)
• 1 Bio-Control Lab in Kamaloor, Theni (₹1.25 crore)
• 2 Integrated Seed Testing Labs in Tiruppur and Tirunelveli (₹5 crore)
• 1 Government Machinery Unit Building in Tirunelveli (₹1.40 crore)
• 1 New Farmer Hostel and Training Hall in Krishnagiri (₹5 crore)

Strategic Vision for Tamil Nadu’s Agriculture

The government has placed a strong emphasis on reviving and modernizing the agricultural sector, especially in the post-pandemic era. The mission complements ongoing schemes such as:

• Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agriculture Development Programme
• Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom Organic Initiative
• Tamil Mann Soil Health Card Scheme
• Farm Mechanization and Equipment Assistance
• Support Schemes for Small and Marginal Farmers

Together, these initiatives aim to raise the productivity, sustainability, and profitability of farming in Tamil Nadu.

Dignitaries Present

The event was attended by Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Chief Secretary Neeraj Mittal IAS, and senior officials from various agricultural and revenue departments including Commissioner J. Jeyachandran IAS, Director of Agriculture Po. Murugesh IAS, and Director of Agricultural Marketing Pon. Kumara Vaithiyan IAS.

The Directorate of Information and Public Relations issued the press note.