Department of Agriculture (Tamil Nadu)

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare one of the departments of Government of Tamil Nadu.

Objective

As of 2022, agriculture contributed to 13% of the state's GSDP. As of 2022, the state had 6.15 million hectares under cultivation. The department is responsible to ensure stable agricultural production, devise and implement methodologies to increase food production and ensure availability of raw materials for agro-based industries.

Sub-departments

The department has the following sub-departments:

Agricultural research, education and extension
Agriculture
Agriculture engineering
Agriculture marketing and business department
Horticulture and plantation crops department
Organic certification department
Seed certification department
Sugar

The following agencies and undertakings are administered by the department:

Tamil Nadu Horticulture Development Agency (TANHODA):Maintenance of public gardens and implementation of various schemes like National Horticulture Mission, Drip Irrigation, Precision Farming and National Bamboo Mission.
Tamil Nadu Horticultural Producers Co-operative Enterprises Limited (TANHOPE):Promotion of horticulture crops, marketing of Fruits and vegetables and processed produces.
Tamil Nadu Watershed Development Agency (TAWDEVA):Responsible for improvement of income of rural community in the watersheds by boosting crop productivity.
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU):Agricultural university located in Coimbatore and responsible for education and research on agriculture.
Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board (TNSAMB):Co-ordination of market committees, planning and implementation of programmes for the development of markets and market areas.