Introduction to Agriculture and Agricultural Development in Tamil Nadu
What this domain tests
This domain introduces agriculture as a science, an art and a business. The examination tests definitions, branches of agriculture, land-use terms, the role of agriculture in Tamil Nadu's economy, and milestones such as the Green Revolution and the establishment of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at Coimbatore in 1971; its Agricultural College and Research Institute dates from 1906.
Core concepts
- Agriculture includes crop production, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry and horticulture. Agronomy, soil science, plant breeding, plant protection, economics and extension are its supporting sciences.
- Net sown area is land cropped at least once in a year. Gross cropped area is the sum of areas under all crops in the year. Cropping intensity = gross cropped area ÷ net sown area × 100.
- Tamil Nadu agriculture is largely rainfed, with delta and tank irrigation. Rice is the principal food crop and the Cauvery delta is the rice bowl; sugarcane, groundnut, cotton, millets, pulses and plantation crops are also important.
- The Green Revolution of the 1960s brought semi-dwarf high-yielding varieties, fertilizers and irrigation. In Tamil Nadu it spread through improved rice varieties and intensive extension.
- Institutions: the Department of Agriculture handles extension, subsidies and inputs; TNAU handles teaching and research; ICAR coordinates national research; cooperatives and regulated markets support credit and marketing.
Worked example
A district has a net sown area of 1,20,000 ha and a gross cropped area of 1,50,000 ha. Cropping intensity = 1,50,000 ÷ 1,20,000 × 100 = 125%. This means that, on average, 1.25 crops are raised per hectare per year. The reasoning is that gross cropped area counts every crop season, while net sown area counts each field only once.
Traps that cost marks
Confusing net sown area with gross cropped area; treating geographical area as cultivated area; assuming higher cropping intensity always means higher yield; and crediting extension work to TNAU instead of the Department of Agriculture.