The area under potato cultivation shrunk and production declined over the period (1985-86
to 2013-14), however, there was increase in yield (kg/ha.) or productivity over the period in Nilgiris
and Tamil Nadu because of technological advancement and incentives provided by the government.
The area under banana of Trichirapalli increased from 21.27 percent in 1985-86 to 26.68
percent in 1990-91, thereafter; it declined to 10.84 percent in 2001-02 and 8.35 percent in 2006-07
and 8.87 percent in 2011-12. The area under banana declined by 12.4 percent during three decades
due to urbanisation of Trichirapalli and conversion of farm lands into real estate. The yield rate
(kg./ha.) of Trichirapalli district is higher than that of Tamil Nadu. There is overall decrease in area,
production and increase in productivity (kg./ha.) of banana in Trichirapalli district over the period
of time.
A majority of the farmers are growing banana crop among the TMC (98 percent) and EMC
(87 percent). 70 percent o OBC farmers belonged to TMC and 54 percent of farmers belonged to
EMC, respectively. This implies that the majority of the farmers cultivating banana in Trichirapalli
district are Hindus. Farmers who belonged SC/STs also participated in cultivation of banana in
proportion to their size in the population.
96 percent and 93 percent of farmers are growing potato in Nilgiris district for TMC and
EMC respectively. The SC farmers who cultivate potatoes form 24 percent and 20 percent in TMC
and EMC respectively. The ST farmers constitute 14 percent and 13 percent for TMC and EMC
respectively. More than 50 percent of farmers who cultivated potato in Nilgiris belonged to OBC
category.
68 percent of TMC and 73 percent of EMC of farmers are in BPL category. They live in
kuccha and semi-kuccha houses (52 percent of TMC and 53 percent of EMC). About 48 percent
and 47 percent live in pucca houses. About 64 percent and 73 percent use the mobile phone. But
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computer and internet facilities are used by a small percentage. It is observed that the majority of
them are having poor knowledge to use the modern technology and they do not have adequate
marketing channels in the district.
The median sizes of farms under banana in Trichirapalli are 2.82 ha. and 2.62 ha. for TMC
and EMC categories. More than 80 percent own land and leased out land is only 14 percent. And 71
percent of area in the TMC is irrigated and 66 percent of area in the EMC is irrigated through
groundwater. Land irrigated through surface water is not much (9.35 percent in TMC and 17 percent
in EMC).
The medium size of farm in Nilgiris district is 3.27 ha. in TMC and 4.61 ha. in EMC. The
farmers who own land in the sample farm 50 percent and 64 percent in TMC and EMC respectively.
The leased land accounted for 50 percent and 36 percent in TMC and EMC respectively. Nearly,
three-fourth of the area under potato is irrigated with groundwater in Nilgiris. Only a small area is
irrigated with surface water.
A majority of them (TMC, EMC) cultivate groundnuts. Next to groundnuts, they prefer to
cultivate banana; about 41 percent and 43 percent are marginal farmers. The small farmers constitute
29 percent and 30 percent among the farmers. The medium size farmers form 26 percent and 19
percent.
During kharif season, the majority of the farmers grow potato, beetroot, carrot, cabbage and
garlic. Generally, cauliflowers, beans, beetroot and cabbage are growing during rabi season. A
majority of the TMC farmers grow cauliflower during rabi season.Among EMC farmers, 44 percent,
28 percent and 23 percent are small, medium and large farmers respectively who are engaged in
potato cultivation during kharif season. Carrot is a main vegetable cultivated by among small (33
percent), medium and large farmers (12 percent). During rabi season, 18 percent and 14 percent of
large and medium farmers grow beans.