SHGs to get dry lands for integrated farms: Minister KN Nehru

TIRUCHY: As part of efforts to boost the economic status of the women in the state, yet another support from the government has been extended in the form of an integrated farming system and Tiruchy would have as many as 14 such facilities, said Minister KN Nehru here on Tuesday.

Inaugurating the integrated farming system in Tiruchy, Nehru said, there are as many as 14 unions in Tiruchy and initially one village would be identified from each union to introduce the integrated farming system.

“There are as many as 404 villages in Tiruchy and dry lands from all the villages will be identified and handed over to women self-help groups (SHGs), to promote integrated farming and enhancing their earning,” he said.

The Minister said that these integrated farming systems can be used for rearing cattle, hens and apiaries, which would help them to earn at least Rs 1 lakh each month.

“The SHGs were formed during the regime of late chief minister M Karunanidhi when the present Chief Minister MK Stalin was in charge of the ministry. Stalin at that time introduced a series of programmes for the upliftment of the women and the integrated farming system was one such initiative of the Chief Minister,” Nehru recalled.

The Minister also pointed out that the Chief Minister is keen in improving education and agriculture in the state.

“He promised to augment agricultural areas by identifying and maintaining water bodies across the state and the steps are being initiated towards this end,” he said.

Later, the Minister distributed revolving funds to women self-help groups and inspected the integrated farm at Navalur Kuttapattu. Tiruchy Collector M Pradeep Kumar and other officials accompanied him.