Examining the prospective cropping zone of important field crops of Tamil Nadu

A methodical study was made at the Agro Climate Research Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2007 to identify the prospective districts for cultivation of important field crops in Tamil Nadu. The data on area, production and productivity of key field crops for 2002-03 to 2005-06 were collected and indices viz., Relative Spread Index (RSI) and Relative Yield Index (RYI) were analyzed. The promising districts were identified based on these RYI and RSI. The results stated that the districts such as Trichy, Thanjavur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Cuddalore, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram were promising districts for cultivation of rice crops. Maize shows potential for cultivation in Salem, Erode, Virudhunagar, Theni and Dindigul districts whereas sorghum was efficient in Namakkal, Perambalur, Madurai, Theni and Dindigul districts. Pearl millet was efficient in three districts such as Madurai, Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar. Pulses viz., green gram, redgram, blackgram, chickpea and horse gram are having potential area for cultivation in seven, five, five, three and three districts respectively. Salem, Theni and Tirunelveli were marked as probable areas to cultivate cotton. Oilseeds like groundnut, sunflower and sesame are having prospective area for cultivating in three, three and two districts respectively.