THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the last completed budget of the Pinarayi government, Finance Minister K N Balagopal introduced several schemes to provide relief to the agricultural sector. Rs 227.4 crore has been allocated for the development of infrastructure in the agricultural sector. Rs 78.45 crore has been allocated for the Comprehensive Vegetable Development Scheme, Rs 150 crore for paddy development and Rs 120 crore for dairy development.

Schemes have also been introduced for the upliftment of those employed in the fishing sector. Rs 295 crore is going to be allocated for the fishing sector alone. Rs 10 crore has been allocated for group insurance for fishermen. Rs 10 crore has also been allocated for coastal protection. Apart from this, Rs 107.6 crore has been allocated for the promotion of the coir industry, which is the traditional industry of Kerala, Rs 14.8 crore for the khadi industry and Rs 212 crore for rural small-scale projects.