Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday (August 10, 2026) announced special incentives for paddy and sugarcane farmers, describing it a “historic hike”.

Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, he said although Tamil Nadu’s financial position was not healthy, the government had taken into consideration the welfare of paddy and sugarcane farmers and decided to increase the incentives for the two crops to an unprecedented level in the State’s history.

He said paddy procurement would begin in September and the government would offer an incentive of ₹289 per quintal for fine varieties, in addition to the minimum support price (MSP). The incentive for the general category would be ₹159 per quintal. With the incentive, the total price would be ₹2,750 per quintal for fine varieties and ₹2,600 per quintal for the general category.

“For the first time in history, the State government has increased the incentive price by ₹156 in a year,” Mr. Vijay said.

For sugarcane farmers who had registered with sugar factories for 2025-26, the Chief Minister said the special incentive would be ₹709.50 per tonne, in addition to the ₹3,290.50 per tonne fixed by the Union government. The announcement would take the total price to ₹4,000 per tonne for sugarcane farmers.

“In the last five years, the special incentive increased by only ₹156, whereas now, in the first year [of our government], the support price has increased by ₹360.50. For the first time, the special incentive for sugarcane is being increased beyond ₹134. Our government will not give up on farmers. We will stand by the farming sector and the rural economy,” he said.

Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar made it clear there would be no debate on statement made under Rule 110 of the Assembly.

In the past, members of political parties were allowed to “thank” the government for its announcements.

Published - August 10, 2026 12:59 pm IST