Aruppukottai farmers resist land seizure for industry

Farmers are protesting a government plan to seize land from a regional agricultural research center near Aruppukottai for industrial development. This action contradicts the state's stated goal of expanding farming. The farmers' federation argues the government's plan to acquire 129 acres of fertile research land conflicts with its initiative to bring 11.75 lakh hectares of arid land into cultivation. The research center develops rain-fed crops and provides certified seeds. The farmers are concerned about the impact on agricultural research and biodiversity, especially given the availability of 30 lakh hectares of arid land elsewhere in the state. They urge the government to abandon the proposal.