The Tamil Nadu Government has announced an additional support package for horticulturists affected by the Thane cyclone of December 2011.
According to an official press release, farmers cultivating jackfruit, cashew and coconut will get free planting material and financial support under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act for the labour costs for one year. Farm owners who work on their farms will also be supported under this facility.
Mini kits with seed material for intercropping, biofertilisers and pesticides will be supplied free of cost. Such mini kits with certified seeds and plant protection chemicals will be supplied free to other farmers affected by the cyclone.
The new package will benefit over 3.45 lakh farmers, the release said.
The State Government has announced a support package of over Rs 210 crore as relief to farmers for the crop losses. Over 1.76 lakh ha of agriculture crops and 48,000 ha of horticulture crops have been hit by the cyclone. Cuddalore and Villupuram districts have borne the brunt of the damage in Tamil Nadu. Nearly 4 lakh tiled roof houses and thatched structures have been damaged.
Electricity infrastructure has been fully damaged and over 3,000 workers are involved in rebuilding the power supply. Over 5,000 more workers are to be brought in to handle the repair work to restore the electricity supply by the coming weekend in time for ‘Pongal', the harvest festival, the release said.