Agriculture Minister R. Vinoth on Thursday (August 6, 2026) said the Tamil Nadu government was fully prepared to face the severe climatic impacts of a Super El Niño. He said the District Agricultural Contingency Plans prepared by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for all districts had been communicated to the District Collectors, and all necessary steps had been taken to implement the recommended contingency measures in a comprehensive manner.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, he said while severe climatic impacts were anticipated across the country during the current year, particularly in the Kuruvai season, 12 districts in Tamil Nadu were expected to be severely affected.

He said, in pursuit of the State government’s long-term vision of bringing 100% of the cultivated area under crop insurance, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) would be implemented during 2026-27 in 14 clusters covering all 37 districts.

The scheme would cover all notified crops during the Kuruvai, Samba, and Rabi seasons, for which ₹648.55 crore had been allocated from the State’s funds.

“This initiative will provide insurance coverage for 36 lakh acres of cultivated land, benefiting 15 lakh farmers. In addition, adequate funds will be provided to facilitate the enrolment of all eligible farmers who voluntarily join the scheme,” he said.

Food security

To ensure food security for the people of the State, the Minister said a target had been set to produce 131 lakh metric tonnes of food grains over the next five years.

“During 2026-27, the target is to produce 125 lakh metric tonnes of food grains. In addition, targets have been set to increase the production of pulses, vegetables, and fruits to achieve both self-sufficiency and nutritional security. All necessary measures will be taken to achieve these goals by implementing appropriate schemes,” he said.

DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) described the Revised Budget Estimates presented by the TVK-led government in the Legislative Assembly as a “damp squib”, saying they lacked originality and failed to fulfil the government’s promises.

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“People expected it to be a ‘blast’, but it turned out to be a ‘waste’. It is a remake of the ‘Dravidian Model’ (DMK) government’s Budget,” Mr. Stalin said in a social media post.

According to him, the Budget had failed to present any farsighted schemes for the State and had not addressed the problems faced by farmers, issues relating to electricity consumption billing, or the rising cost of living.

“It is completely silent on the (TVK’s electoral) promise of ₹2,500 for women, ₹4,000 for unemployed youth, six free LPG cylinders, and a complete waiver of crop loans,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) said the Budget session of the Assembly would continue till September 8. The entire proceedings of the Assembly would be telecast live, he added.

Addressing journalists after the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, he said the Revised Agriculture Budget for 2026-27 would be presented in the Assembly on Thursday (August 6). The following day, obituary references for former MLAs and condolence resolutions for filmmaker and actor K. Bhagyaraj, poet Puviyarasu, playback singer S. Janaki, and writer Poomani would be taken up.

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The general discussion on the Revised Budget Estimates and the Revised Agriculture Budget Estimates for 2026-27 would begin on the same day and continue on August 10, 11, and 12. The discussion and voting on the department-wise Demands for Grants would be taken up from August 17 to September 8.

Mr. Prabhakar said the BAC had decided to hold the sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The committee had also discussed holding the sittings from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., if required. A separate announcement would be made if such an extension was required.

On the allocation of seats in the Assembly, Mr. Prabhakar said seats were allotted based on the symbol on which members had contested and won the election, and arranged in alphabetical order.