Chennai, 1 September (H.S.) : The Tamil Nadu government has outlined a strategic plan to boost its agricultural sector by focusing on value addition and exports. According to Minister TRB Rajaa, the state's agricultural strategy revolves around a cluster-based, export-driven, and tech-enabled approach. This plan aims to position Tamil Nadu as a leader in high-value agricultural products, capitalizing on its strengths in crops like spices, fruits, vegetables, and coffee.
To achieve this vision, the state has established dedicated value-addition clusters for over 18 priority crops. These clusters are equipped with primary processing centers, cold storage facilities, micro food parks, and scientific grading and packaging facilities. This infrastructure is expected to deliver up to 20% higher price realization for farmers. Additionally, the mega food park at Gangaikondan and seven agro-processing clusters in Salem, Theni, Dindigul, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, and Madurai are being developed to support the growth of the agricultural sector.
The Tamil Nadu government's initiative is already attracting significant investment. Dabur India, for instance, is setting up its first manufacturing facility in south India in Tindivanam with an initial investment of Rs 135 crore. This facility is expected to generate direct employment for 250 individuals and create thousands of indirect job opportunities. Similarly, companies like ITC and Godrej Agrovet are also investing in the state's agricultural sector, leveraging Tamil Nadu's strategic location and infrastructure.
The state's agricultural sector is projected to contribute $57 billion by 2030, driven by the growth of the food and beverages processing sector. With its focus on value addition, exports, and technology, Tamil Nadu aims to create a future-ready agrarian ecosystem that benefits both farmers and investors. By integrating its agricultural sector with global markets and industries, the state is poised to achieve its goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
