Growth, Variability and Supply response of Major Crops in Tamilnadu

摘要

Tamil Nadu is one of the leading state in Agriculture. Agriculture is the backbone of the State economy since it provides livelihood support to 56 per cent of the population. The State accounts 7 per cent of the country's population and 4 per cent ofwater resources of the country. About 56 per cent of the total cropped area of the State is under irrigated condition while around 44 per cent of the area is under dry land farming. The contribution of Agriculture to State income was around 13 percent in2005-06. The principal crops raised in the State comprises food crops like paddy, millets, pulses and oilseeds and non-food crops like cotton and sugarcane. The total cropped area and gross production of principal crops depend on the quantum and spreadof precipitation and availability of ground water. Paddy, a staple food crop, is grown extensively in the districts of Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam. Sustaining food production in future may be a serious job due to diversion of lands towards nonfood crops and for agricultural purposes. Unless a second technological break through takes place, it will be difficult to feed the growing population with these diversions. Agriculture in Tamil Nadu has enjoyed three decades of growth based largely onrapid technological change. While agricultural sector growth rates in Tamil Nadu were among the highest in India during the 1980s and early 1990s, deceleration in growth since the mid-1990s is of increasing concern to policymakers. Traditional sources of growth in agriculture face major constraints such as growing water scarcity, increasing land degradation, declining farm sizes, and rising costs of labour. Agricultural land resources have also come under increasing pressure due to rapid urbanization.