The district administration has asked farmers to come forward to avail themselves of subsidy for cultivation of “Kanvali kizhangu” ( gloriosa superba ), a medicinal herb, in Ariyalur district.
Normally, cultivation of this herb was taken up on 250 acres of land in Senthurai, T.Pazhur, and Jayamkondam areas. Colchicine, an alkaloid derived from the seeds of the creeper, is used for preparing Ayurvedha and Unani drugs. A subsidy of Rs.68,750 is given per hectare for the cultivation of this herb. Farmers can register their names by producing computer chitta, adangal, copies of ration card, bank savings account book with Assistant Director of Horticulture in their respective areas for getting subsidy, said A.Saravanavelraj, District Collector.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/subsidy-to-farmers-in-ariyalur-for-cultivating-tuber/article6620044.ece