The average productivity in Tamil Nadu is only 60 per cent of the potential and the technology adoption by the farmers is low. The main reason for low productivity is decline in soil organic matter and soil fertility status, lack of awareness on the latest technologies and lack of suitable advisory services. The adoption of suitable crop production techniques and soil test based fertilizer recommendation will pave way for enhanced crop productivity.

The existing soil testing laboratories will cater to the needs of only 19.5 lakh farm holdings in a period of three years leaving behind 65.5 lakh farm holdings untested. The establishment of mini soil testing laboratories at block level will ensure that every farm holding in Tamil Nadu will be tested for soil fertility. The establishment of agriclinics cum mini soil testing laboratories will help to provide the advisory service on crop selection, agricultural inputs, best farming practices and marketing of farm produce apart from facilitating custom hiring of farm machineries and diagnosis and remediation of nutrient disorder in crops. Agriclinics will act as knowledge provider at block level and help in effective technology transfer thereby increasing the crop productivity and per capita income of the farmers.

Job opportunities will be given to the unemployed agricultural graduates for setting up the agriclinics cum mini soil testing laboratories by providing bank loans with back ended subsidy of 50 per cent and training on analytical techniques and interpretation of results and use of the soil health and visual diagnostic kit softwares.

Agriclinics cum mini soil testing laboratories will be established in the first phase in all the 129 blocks of selected 9 districts viz., Perambalur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Dindugal, Ramnad, Villupuram and Coimbatore and 5 numbers in each of the remaining 19 districts of Tamil Nadu state at a cost of Rs. 6.0 lakhs/unit with 50 % back ended subsidy of Rs. 3.0 lakhs each through tie- up loan with commercial banks. The total budget of the project will be Rs. 716.80 lakhs.  The Department of Agriculture will identify the potential entrepreneurs and TNAU will impart training on the analytical and technical skills for the establishment of the agriclinic cum mini soil testing laboratories.

Establishment of Agri Clinic cum Mini Soil Testing Laboratories 
Budget  abstract ( Rs. in lakhs )