CM Vijay announces Rs. 134.83 Crore ‘Kuruvai Special Package’ for ryots

Chief Minister Vijay has urged farmers across Delta and non-Delta districts to utilize the assistance provided under the newly announced 2026 Kuruvai Special Package Scheme.
Scheme Overview
In an official press release, the government highlighted that paddy cultivation is vital to Tamil Nadu’s food security and the livelihoods of its farmers.
To promote paddy cultivation during the Kuruvai, Kar, and Sornavari seasons and to boost overall productivity, the Chief Minister has sanctioned the implementation of the Kuruvai Special Package Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs. 134.83 crore.
Background and Rationale
Paddy is cultivated on an average of 52.72 lakh acres annually in Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Delta districts (Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and parts of Cuddalore, Trichy, and Ariyalur) account for 20.65 lakh acres, with 5.14 lakh acres dedicated specifically to the Kuruvai season. Outside the Delta, 5.48 lakh acres are cultivated during the Kar, Kuruvai, and Sornavari seasons.
Usually, the Mettur Dam is opened on June 12 for irrigation. However, due to the delayed southwest monsoon and the impact of the ‘El Niño’ phenomenon—which has led to lower-than-average rainfall—the current water level at the Mettur Dam stands at 79.56 feet (41.52 TMC). Consequently, the dam cannot be opened today, June 12.
Despite these constraints, the government aims to support the 3.55 lakh acres that can be irrigated via filter points in the Delta, as well as farming operations in non-Delta districts, to ensure the sustainability of farmers’ livelihoods.
Financial Allocation and Implementation
The total budget of Rs. 134.83 crore is allocated as follows:
Rs. 77.50 crore: To support *Kuruvai* cultivation in Delta districts using groundwater/filter points.
Rs. 57.33 crore: To encourage Kar, Kuruvai, and *Sornavari* paddy cultivation in non-Delta districts.
The scheme will provide support for:
* Paddy mechanization.
*Incentives for direct paddy sowing.
*Distribution of bio-fertilizers and micronutrients.
*Subsidies for seed distribution and incentives for the production of newly released, high-yield paddy varieties.
Infrastructure and Resource Readiness
To facilitate successful cultivation, the government has undertaken significant preparatory work:
Dredging: The Department of Agricultural Engineering has dredged 2,325 km of “C” and “D” canals at a cost of Rs. 10 crore. Additionally, the Department of Water Resources has completed 97% of the dredging work on 4,971 km of “A” and “B” canals, costing Rs. 100 crore.
Supplies: 10,714 metric tons of paddy seeds and 4.02 lakh metric tons of fertilizers have been stocked.
Power: Uninterrupted three-phase electricity will be provided for 18 hours a day to assist farming activities.
“Chief Minister Vijay encourages all eligible farmers in both Delta and non-Delta districts to avail themselves of the benefits provided under this special package to improve productivity and strengthen the state’s food security,” the statement concluded.