Groundnut mission: 1.5K-acre of 2.5K-acre target covered so far

AS part of the Union government's National Mission on Edible Oilseeds (NMEO), the agriculture and farmers' welfare department has so far achieved the cultivation of VRI-9 and Girnar-5 groundnut seed varieties on about 1,500 acres of the total target of 2,500 acres in the district this kharif season.

- D VINCENT AROCKIARAJ @Tiruchy

According to officials, the scheme aiming to increase edible oilseed production is being implemented for the first time in seven blocks: Musiri, T Pettai, Thottiyam, Manapparai, Marungapuri, Vaiyampatti and Thuraiyur. Under the scheme, farmers are supplied seeds at a subsidy of 84% per hectare. For cultivation on one hectare, 100 kg of seeds are required. While the actual cost of one kg of seed is ₹135, farmers have to pay only ₹21 per kg. The agriculture department identifies the beneficiary farmers and supplies them with the seed varieties, sources said. Steps have also been taken to expand seed multiplication by