Mon Jan 13 12:42:38 UTC 2025: ## Virudhunagar Farmers Offered Subsidized Millet Processing Machinery

**Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, January 13, 2025** – Farmers and entrepreneurs in Virudhunagar district are being offered substantial government assistance to upgrade their millet processing capabilities. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is providing up to ₹2 crore in subsidized loans, covering up to 75% of the cost of new machinery.

This initiative aims to boost farmers’ income by encouraging the production of value-added millet products instead of selling raw grain. The program supports the purchase of equipment such as sorting and grading units, warehouses, silos, drones, and organic input production tools. Loans are available at a 3% interest rate, with a maximum subsidy of ₹1.875 crore for machinery like sorting and grading units.

According to a joint statement by the Joint Director (Agriculture) Vijaya and the Deputy Director (Central Government Schemes) Sumathi, 52,450 hectares of land in Virudhunagar is currently dedicated to millet cultivation. The program is open to individuals, farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and self-help groups. Assistance with project proposal preparation is available from local agricultural officials. Interested parties can contact their Block Assistant Directors (Agriculture) or the Deputy Director (Agriculture, Central Schemes) for further information.

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