Agriculture

Based on the agro-climatic and topographic conditions, the district can be divided into three regions, namely:1. The uplands : Comprising of hills and hill bases suitable for Growing crops like Rubber, Cloves, Nutmeg, Pepper, Pineapple etc. Comprising of plains and val leys fit for growing crops like Paddy, Tapioca, Banana, Coconut etc.

2. The Middle:

3.The low lands :

Comprising the coastal belt ideal for growing Coconut, Cashew etc.

CROPPING PATTERN
This District produces paddy, tapioca and oilseeds such as Groundnut and Coconut besides commercial crops like Cashew, Rubber, Fruits and Spices. The important feature of this district is the production of off season Ma ngoes. PADDY is the main crop of this district. It is grown in two seasons. First crop is sown in the month of April June (Kannipoo) and second crop is raised in the month of September October (Kumba poo). TAPIOCA is raised as a subsidiary food crop in this district. The main planting season is April-May. In some pockets, September October planting is also done as second season crop. It is purely raised as rainfed crop in Kalkulam and Vilvancode taluks and as irrigated crop in some area of Agastheeswaram taluk of this district. COCONUT is an important cash crop of this district. The main planting season is May to July. PULSES are raised in rice-fallow and as intercrop in Tapioca. The important pulses are Blackgram, Greengram, Horsegram, Cowpea and Redgram. In the months of April May and September October pulses are grown as intercrop with Tapioca. In the months of February March pulses are raised as pure crop in rice-fallows. VEGETABLES of this district. are cultivated during January February and July August.

Vegetable is also grown as 3 rd crop after the harvest of 2 nd crop paddy in some pockets

BANANA is cultivated mainly during March May and September - October.

GROUNDNUT is raised during March April and October November as rainfed crop in small extent . In addition, Pepper, Cloves, Arecanut, Betelvine, Cocoa, Gingelly, Ginger, Turmeric, Arrowroot etc. are also grown in this district.

CROP SEQUENCES FOLLOWED IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

1. Paddy 2. Paddy 3. Paddy 4. Paddy 5. Paddy Paddy - Fallow Paddy - Pulses Banana Paddy Banana - Tapioca Banana - Banana (One year rotation) (One year rotation) (One year rotation) (One year rotation) (One year rotation)

FARMS, RESEARCH STATION LABORATORIES AND INSTITUTIONS:.

FARMS 1. State Seed Farm, Thirupathisaram; The object of the State Seed Farm is to produce foundation and certified classes of paddy seeds to meet the requirement of the farming community. It comprises of 24.02 Ha. with an annual production of 100 M.T. of certified and foundations seeds. 2. Coconut Nursery (Tall) Puthalam: The object is to produce quality Tall Coconut Seedlings. It is having an area of 1.96 Ha. with an annual production of 51,000 Tall Seedlings. 3. Coconut Nursery (Tall & Dwarf) Kanyakumari: The object is to produc e Tall x Dwarf hybrid coconut seedlings and distribute to the farmers. It occupies an area of 2.44 ha. with an annual production of 26000 TxD hybrid seedlings. 4. Coconut Crossing Centre(Tall x Dwarf) Agastheeswaram: By using Chowghat Dwarf Orange as male parent hybridization is done on west coast tall coconut trees. The seed nuts are procured and sent to the coconut nursery (TxD) Kanyakumari. 5. Soil Testing Laboratory: To analyse the soil samples collected and sent by the farmers. 6. Mobile Soil Testing Laboratory: The Mobile Soil Testing Laboratory visit the villages and collect samples, analyse and suggest suitable fertilizer recommendations to the farmers on the spot. 7. Fertiliser Control Laboratory: To ensure the quality of fertilizer distributed in Tamil Nadu through various outlets to the farmers as per the Fertilizer Control Order.

8.

Bio-Control Centre 1. Parasite Breeding Centre: To produce the parasites Bethelid,

Braconid and Eulophid which parasite on Block Headed Catterpillar which infest coconut palms. 2. Green MuscardineS Fungi Production Centre: To produce Green muscardine fungus which parasite and kill the grub of Rhinocerous beetle which causes heavy damage to coconut palms. 3. Mushroom Spawn Production Centre: To produce pleurotus fungi spawn which is used for composting coirpith and cultivation of edible Mushroom. 9. Government Horticultural Farm: The object is to produce fruit and flower plants for distribution to the farming community. 10. Agricultural Research Station, Thirupalthisaram: The object is crop improvement, crop management; and releasing of location specific new varieties suited to Kanyakumari District. 11. Horticultural Research Station, Pechiparai: It undertakes Research high rainfall zone. Evaluation of suitable pineapple varieties, Jack, Bandra Vegetable, Tapioca and spices. Standardisation of management techniques for Horticultural crops. 12. Farmer Training Centre, Thirupathisaram: The Farmers Training Centre is located in Thirupathisaram village 6 Km. Away from Nagercoil. It caters the needs of Kanyakumari District farmers by imparting village level training and demonstrations and improved farming technologies and innovations.

SOIL CLASSIFICATION Agasteeswarem Taluk Sl.No. 1. Typic Hapludalfs Type of Soil Typic Udipoammenta

2.

Places in District Kanyakumari, Agasteeswaram, Thamaraikulam, Dharmapuram, Azhagappapuram, Kottaram, Mathusoothanapuram Kanyakumari,Thamaraikulam,Kulasekarapuram, Marung Theroor, Eraviputhoor, Suchindram, Parakkai,Thengam Vadaseri, Kottaram, Azhagappuram

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Typic Underthents Fluventic Dystropepts

Kanniyakumari, Agastheeswaram, Kottaram

Typic Dyssttropepts Udic Rdodudalfs Udic Hapludalfs Aquic Hapludalfs

Thamaraikulam, Kulasekarapuram, Theroor, Eraviputho Suchindram, Parakkai, Thengamputhoor, Dharmapuram Nagercoil, Neendakarai.B, Madusoothanapuram Marungoor, Azhappapuram, Kottaram, Vembanoor Ddharmapuram, Vadasery, Neendakarai.A, Neendakarai.B,Madusuthanapuram
Dharmapuram, Neendakarai.A, Neendakarai.B

Vadiveeswaram, Nagercoil, Vembanoor

Kalkulam Taluk 1 Typic Dystropets Kappiarari, Valvachagostam, Attoor, Thuckalay, Kalkulam, Kothanallur, Mecode, Aruvikarai, Thiruvattar, Ponnmanai,Aloor, Eraniel, Thalakulam, Kadiyapattanam, Manavalakurichi, Colachel Town, Colachel, Thiruvithamcode, Viyannoor, Velimalai, Thumpodu, Churulacode, Villukuri, Kuruthencode, Lakshmipuram, Padmanabhapuram Town

2 .

Aquic Hapludalfo

Kappiarai, Valvachagostam, Thuckalai,Kalkulam, Kothanallor, Thirparappu, Alloor,Eraniel,Thalakulam, Kadiapattinam, Manavalakuichi, Colachel Town, Colachel, Thiruvithamcode,Churulocode, Kurunthencode, Lakshmipuram, Padmanabhapuram Town, Attor,Mecode,Thiruvattar, Thirparappu,Ponmani,Kadiyapattinam, Manavalakurchi, Colachel Town, Colachel, Viyanoor, Churulode, Lakshmipuram, Attoor,Thuckalay,Thiruvattur, Ponmani,Aloor,Kadyiapattinam.Velimalai,Thumpodu,Kurunthencod e. Mecode,kadiapattnam,Manavilakuruchi,Colachel Town, Colachel, Lakshimipuram Colachel Town, Colachel,Lekshmipuram

Udic Ehodudalfs

4 . 5 6 7

Udic Hapludalfe Lithic Udorthents Fluventic Dystripepte Typic Udipsament

Thovalai Taluk 1 Typic Dyatyipspts Thovalai,Chembagramanputhuoor, Thirupathisaram,Thazhakudy,Annanthapuram, Aralvaimozhi Thovalai,Chenbagaramanputhoor,Thirupathisaram, Thazhakudi, Azhagiapandipuram,Ananthapuram Thovalai,Chenbagaramanputhur,Thirupathisaram, Thazhakudi,Boothapandy,Esanthymangalam, Chiramadum,Derisanamcopu,Arumanaloor, Erachakulam,Aralvaimozhi Chenbagaramanputhoor, Boothapandy, Eesaanthimangalam,Chiramadam, Derisanamcopu,Azhagiapandipuram,Erachakulam, Esanthimangalam, Cheramadam,Derisanamcopu, Azhagiapandipuram, Erachakulam, Chiramadam, Arumanalloor,Erachakulam, Thovalai,Derisanamcopu, Arumanalloor, Aralvaimozhi, Aralvoimozhi
Vilavancode Taluk

2 3

Fluvantic Dystropepts Typic Haplludalfs

Lithic Usorthents

5 6 7 8 9

Paralithic Ustorthents Hills and forest Hills Udic Hapludalfs Typic Ustropets

Typic Dystropepts

Kollancode, Ezhudesam,Painkulam,Arudesam,Methukummal, Kunnathoor, Nalloor, Pacodu, Vilavancode, Palugal, Edaycode, Arumanai, Kalial, Keezhmidalam,Midalam, Keelkulam, Killiyoor, Nattalam, Kulapuram, Anducode, Vellamcode, Mancode, Palloor.,

Udihapludalfs

Kolemcode, Ezhudesam,Painkulam,Arudesam, Methukummal, Kunnathoor, Nalloor, Kezhmidalam, Killiyoor, Nattalam, Kulapuram, Vellamcode,

3.

Parlithic Uderthents Auic Hapludalfs

Kollemcode, Ezhudsam, Painkulam,Arudesam, Methukumal, Vilavamcode, Arumanai, Kulapuram,Anducode.

Kollemcode, Painkulam,Arudesam, Methukummal, Kunathoor, Nalloor, Pacode, Vilavamcode, Palukal, Edaicode, Arumanai, Midalam, Keeezhkulam,Killiyoor, Nattalam, Kulapuram, Anducode, Vellamcode, Mancode, Paluoor

5 6

Udichepludalfs Lithic Udorthents Paralithic Dystropepts Typic Mallic Dyestopents

Nalloor, Vellamcode,

Nalloor, Vilavancode, Arumanai,Kalial, Anducode, Vellamcode, Mancode.

7 8 9

Pacode, Palugal, Edaycode, Kaliyal, Anducode, Moncode,

Arumanai, Velamcode, Mangodu, Kaliyal

Arumanai, Mangodu,Kalial

Source: Hand Book Of Tamilnadu

AREA AND PRODUCTION OF MAJOR CROPS (2006-07)

Sl. No.
A.

Crops

Area (Ha.)

Production (L.M.T.)

Productivity Kg/Ha.

% to the total Area

CEREALS AND MILLETS

1 2
B.

Paddy Pulses
OILSEEDS

21158 1761

0.9990 0.1267

4721 600

26.67 2.22

Coconut

24200

27.5 Crore nuts

11375 nuts/Ha. --

30.5

C.

Other crops

42562

--

40.61

SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED DURING 2006-07

Sl.

Name of the Scheme

Subsidy Amount

Financial

No.

Achievement (in L.Rs.)

CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES ISOPOM

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Seed Production subsidy Certified Seed distribution Distribution of Bio-pesticide Gypsum distribution Distribution of Bio-fertilisers Distribution of Pipes for irrigation Sprinkler set distribution NPV distribution Plant protection chemical distribution Block demonstration IPM demonstration Distribution of P.P. equipment Distribution of weedicide Farmers Training Village Pre-season Campaign Farmers Interest Group
TOTAL

Rs. 500/Qtl. Rs. 800/Qtl. Rs. 250/Ha. Rs. 500/Ha. Rs. 50/Ha. Rs. 15000/Unit Rs. 15000/Unit Rs. 250/Ha. Rs. 500/Ha. Rs. 2000/Ha. Rs. 12315/One Rs. 800/One Rs. 500/Ha. -Rs. 1000/1 Rs. 12500/group

0.33850 0.45600 0.020 0.20 0.204 0.300 0.300 0.036 0.068 0.080 0.12315 0.12000 0.0200 0.300 0.020 0.125
2.770

Sl. No.

Name of the Scheme

Subsidy Amount

Financial Achievement (in L.Rs.)

II

MACRO MANAGEMENT MODE SCHEMES CEREAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

1 2 3

Distribution of Paddy Seeds Distribution of Bio-fertilisers Distribution of Micro-nutrient ixture

Rs. 2000/ton. Rs. 3/Pocket Rs. 12.20/Ha.

2.487 0.118 0.024

4 5 6 7 8

Bund cropping Farmers Training Campaign Training to Farm labourers POL

TOTAL

Rs. 50/Ha. Rs. 5000/Training Rs. 1000/Campaign Rs. 80/Labour ---

0.153 0.2000 0.810 0.800 0.051

4.643

III

COCONUT DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES

1 2

Removal of disease affected trees Laying out demonstration to increase productivity

Rs. 250/tree Rs. 17500/Ha.

3.887 16.218

Production of Organic Manures (coirpith compost)

Rs. 20000/unit

1.000

Distribution of Copra drier

TOTAL

Rs. 6533/Unit
--

0.1321
21.237

IV

SEED VILLAGE SCHEME

1 2 3

Distribution of seeds Training to Farmers Training to farmers by Human Resource Development Scheme
TOTAL

Rs. 8/Kg. Rs. 15000/training Rs. 24250/Unit

0.70557 0.300 2.425

3.430

Sl. No.

Name of the Scheme

Subsidy Amount

Financial Achievement (in L.Rs.)

TANWABE SCHEME

Distribution of Power tiller to FWG

Rs. 30000/Unit

0.54864

One day Refresher Training on

Rs. 1000/training

0.610

identified EDP skills

Setting up of small units in EDP skills

Rs. 3500/unit

2.135

Documentation and contingencies

--

0.078

Database/networking computer purchase

--

0.690

Crop Diversification

Rs. 20000/Unit

0.400

FWG Automation and setting up of Library

Rs. 5000/Group

0.500