TN govt announces 'Amma seeds' for farmers

Chennai, Aug 8: Continuing with its various welfare initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government today announced its decision to supply 'Amma' seeds to provide farmers and general public with quality seeds at reasonable price.

Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said the quality Amma Seeds would be available in the proposed Amma outlets across the state. The government would set up Amma Seed Agency by coordinating government seed farms, seed production units and farmers, she said.

"The agency will be set up with adequate staff at Rs 156.74 crore." The quality seeds produced in these farms would be supplied as Amma seeds through Amma outlets at a reasonable price. The announcement comes close on the heels of the government launching "Amma" Amudam Supermarkets, 'Amma Pharmacies' and subsidised 'Amma Salt' recently even as 'Amma Canteens' and 'Amma Mineral Water', both low-cost initiatives, have been well received by a large section of the people.

Jayalalithaa is popularly addressed as Amma (Mother) by her party workers and supporters. Jayalalithaa also said 'Amma Farm Women Empowerment Programme' would be executed to provide training in farm inputs, water harvesting and post harvesting activities. Around 770 farm women groups would be formed and loans and revolving fund will be made available to them, under this scheme.

PTI