CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has launched Amma Seeds Scheme to provide certified quality seeds to farmers with a view to increase agricultural production in the State. These seeds would be sold through Amma Service Centres at a reasonable price. Three farmers received the first set of Amma seeds from the Chief Minister at the Secretariat on December 28.
The Amma Seeds Scheme is aimed at encouraging farmers to use certified seeds by integrating the State seed farms, the seed production centres and farmers. A Seed Development Agency would also be set up to market the Amma Seeds through Amma Service Centre outlets.
Besides, the Chief Minister also extended the Do it Yourself scheme which has been successfully implemented in Chennai and Coimbatore to Tiruchy and Madurai corporations. She had already allocated `5.37 crore for this scheme. Under the scheme, inputs for growing vegetables by establishing Roof Gardens on open terrace would be given to the beneficiaries. Two beneficiaries received the Do It Yourself kits from the Chief Minister at the Secretariat.
The Chief Minister had also inaugurated modern godowns, regulated markets, three Farmers Centres, including the one located at Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar, vegetable processing units, cold storages for vegetables, turmeric auction centre, seed godowns, fertiliser godowns, etc., built at a cost of `28.51 crore in various districts.
Housing and Agriculture Minister R Vaithilingam, senior officials of the State government were present on the occasion.