Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday underlined the need for rainwater harvesting and water conservation. Speaking at the 30th anniversary celebrations of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in Taramani, he said waterbodies were being desilted through Kudimaramathuscheme.
The State, through various farming practices and water conservation techniques, had produced over 100 lakh tonnes of foodgrains in the last four years, Mr. Palaniswami said.
Appreciating the work of the MSSRF and its founder and renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan among lakhs of farmers, fishermen and women in rural areas, the Chief Minister said his government would ensure that the lease of the land on which the foundation is housed was extended.
Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said the State government had been promoting micro-irrigation among farmers, and in 2018-19, a total of 1.5 lakh hectares of land had been irrigated through the system. In 2019-2020, over 2 lakh hectares were to be covered, he added. Mr. Panneerselvam commended the foundation for its contribution in ensuring food and nutrition security to the people of the State and the country.