The Tamil Nadu government has announced a new "Vetri Illatharasi Home Garden Scheme" in the 2026-27 Agriculture Budget to encourage homemakers to establish home gardens, enabling them to grow fresh produce and earn additional income.
The announcement was made by Agriculture and Farmers` Welfare Minister R. Vinoth while presenting the Agriculture Budget in the State Legislative Assembly.
An allocation of ₹10 crore has been earmarked for the scheme. Under the initiative, homemakers will receive assistance to set up and maintain home gardens through various support measures.
The scheme includes:
- Input kits for setting up terrace gardens.
- Vegetable seed kits.
- Fruit sapling kits.
- Support for hydroponic gardens.
- Assistance for establishing vertical gardens.
- Support for setting up shade-net structures.
The initiative is expected to help interested women grow healthy vegetables and fruits at home while creating opportunities for additional income.
The Agriculture Budget also announced a ₹4 crore project to remove invasive Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam) trees and the establishment of eight new Integrated Agricultural Extension Centres at a cost of ₹27.82 crore.