The Tamil Nadu state government has announced plans to appoint agricultural scientists in each taluk to support and guide farmers in the state. These scientists will provide advice on the latest technology, high-yielding crop varieties, and crop protection methods using the latest technical solutions. They will be recruited from agriculture colleges, research institutions in agriculture, and with the guidance and support from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. The scientists will provide value addition of produce along with marketing support, as well as warn farmers of pest attacks and provide a roadmap for them. However, farmers are not impressed with the proposal.
The article does not mention any specific company.
R. Arumugasamy is the leader of a farmer association in Erode who was interviewed for this article.
Steps to implement the appointment of agricultural scientists by Tamil Nadu state government:
1. Recruit agricultural scientists from agriculture colleges and research institutions in agriculture and provide them guidance and support from Tamil Nadu Agriculture University.
2. These scientists will be appointed in every taluk to provide advice on the latest technology, high-yielding crop varieties, and crop protection methods using the latest technical solutions.
3. Provide agriculture scientists with the infrastructure facilities to collect basic statistics like rainfall, crop yield, and pest statistics.
4. Develop a roadmap for the farmers to provide value addition to their produce along with marketing support.
5. Warn farmers of any potential pest attacks at a local and state level, and help them take necessary precautions to prevent major crop losses.
