CHENNAI: The State government has sanctioned Rs 289.63 crore as financial relief to farmers whose crops were damaged by unseasonal rains during the northeast monsoon and subsequent weather aberrations, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare MRK Panneerselvam announced on Wednesday.

According to the Government Order issued, agricultural and horticultural crops cultivated over 5.66 lakh acres were affected by untimely rainfall during November and December 2024 and January 2025.

The relief amount has been approved from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) following an extensive field assessment by the Revenue and Agriculture departments in the affected districts.

The government survey confirmed crop damage exceeding 33 per cent, based on which district collectors submitted proposals seeking compensation.

After scrutiny, the government sanctioned relief covering 4.90 lakh acres of agricultural crops and 76,132 acres of horticultural crops, benefiting around 3.60 lakh farmers.

Of the total allocation, Rs 254.38 crore has been earmarked for 2.80 lakh farmers cultivating agricultural crops, while Rs 35.25 crore has been sanctioned for 80,383 horticulture farmers.

The compensation will be directly credited to the beneficiaries' bank accounts, the Minister said, adding that the Stalin-led government has consistently extended timely relief to farmers affected by natural calamities, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the agrarian community.