Agriculture

Agriculture Cropping Pattern

Tenkasi district is predominantly an agricultural district. The district has two main seasons, Kar (From June to September during south-west monsoon) and Pishanam (From November to February during north-east monsoon). The cropping pattern of the district varies from Taluk to Taluk. Paddy occupies however, the largest area of cultivation, followed by Pulses. Paddy is cultivated mainly in Tenkasi, Shenkottai, , Sivagiri and Taluks. Wet land cultivation is, essentially paddy cultivation obtains a major share of the gross cropped area. Even in dry regions, wherever water is available, it is the paddy crop that sown by the farmers. Under rainfed or dry land cultivation areas, diversified crop patterns exist and no single crop claims a large share of the gross cropped area. Cultivation which characterizes these regions is also basically millets and pulses.

Other crops grown in the district are Maize, pulses, groundnut, gingelly. Portions of Sankarankoil Taluk have the rich, fertile black cotton soil which is highly suitable for cotton cultivation. Factors such as type of soil, climatic conditions, irrigation facilities, etc., determine the cropping pattern in a region. Most of the rainfed areas are cultivated during North East Monsoon either pulses of millets.

District Level Technical Wing

• Joint Director of Agriculture
• Deputy Director of Agriculture (GOI Schemes & SS schemes)
• Assistant Director of Agriculture (Quality Control)
• Agricultural Officer (GOI Schemes)
• Agricultural Officer (State Schemes)

Lab Wing

• Agricultural Officer (Bio Fertilizer Lab)

District Collectorate

• Deputy Director of Agriculture (PPM – P.A to Collector)
• Agricultural Officer (PPM)

Ministerial Staff

• Administrative Officer
• Superintendent
• Assistants
• Junior Assistants
• Record Clerks
• Jeep Drivers
• Office Assistants
• Watchman

Block Level Technical Wing

• ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE
• Agricultural Officer
• Deputy Agricultural Officer (Sub Agricultural Extension Center)
• Assistant Seed Officer
• Assistant Agricultural Officers

Ministerial Staff

• Depot Managers
• Sub-Depot Managers
• Assistants
• Junior Assistants
• Record Clerks
• Jeep Drivers
• Office Assistants
• Watchman

District-Level Technical Staff Activities

• Allocation of Financial and Physical Target to block ADAs received from Commissioner of Agriculture under State ,Central Govt Schemes and Part II Schemes.
• Re-Allocation of Budget Estimates to block ADAs received from Commissioner of Agriculture under State ,Central Govt Schemes and Part II Schemes .
• Imparting Training and Technical Information to block level officers.
• Monitoring of Schemes implemented by block ADAs at various Level.

Block-Level Technical Staff Activities

• Assistant Director of Agriculture: the Implementing Officer for all State and Central Govt Schemes
• Laying out of Adaptive Research Trials, Demonstration Plots etc.
• Imparting Training and Technical Information to Farmers and Farm Women.
• Reconciliation of Crops Area Coverage joint with Revenue and Statistical Dept.
• Conducting Crop Estimation Surveys and Crop Insurance Surveys along with Revenue and Statistical Dept.
• Procurement and Distribution of All Kinds of Agricultural Inputs like Seeds, Fertilizers, Bio- Fertilizers,Micro- Nutrient Mixtures and Bio-Pesticides to Farming Community.
• Fertilizer and Pesticide Quality Control and Monitoring
• Pesticide Recommendation Based on Pest and Disease Surveillance Plot and Initiate Preventive Measure to Control Pest and Disease

Research Centres

ICAR-RVS KVK, TENKASI DISTRICT

The RVS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tirunelveli was established in the year 1994 by RVS Educational Trust, Sulur in memory of Rathinavel Subramanium and headed by Dr. K.V. Kuppuswamy, Chairman. This institute is run by the financial assistance of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi.

1. The Mandate of KVK is to develop and disseminate location specific technology Assessment, Refinement and Demonstration and to act as Knowledge and Resource Centre for agriculture and its allied activities. Specific activities to carry out this mandate are:
2. Conducting On-Farm testing to identify the location specific agricultural technologies under various farming systems.
3. Organizing FLD to establish production potential of various crops and enterprises on the farmers’ fields.
4. Organizing need-based training for farmers to update their knowledge and skills in modern agricultural technologies related to technology Assessment, Refinement and Demonstration and training of Extension personal to orient in the frontier areas to technology development.
5. Creating awareness about improved technologies to larger masses through appropriate extension programmes.
6. Production and supply of good quality seeds and plating materials, Livestock, poultry and fisheries breeds and products and various bio-products to the farming community.
7. Works as resource and knowledge centre of agricultural technology for supporting initiatives of public, private and voluntary sector for improving agricultural economy of the district.

State Coconut Nursery Vadakarai

The State coconut nursery Vadakarai was established on 28.08.1964. at Shencottai taluk of Tenkasi District. The coconut Crossing Centre, Vadakarai was established on 1.12.1991 at the State Coconut Nursery vadakarai. It is located at the foothills of the western Ghats and this nursery receives rainfall during both south west and North East Monsoon. The average rain fall of the nursery is1100 mm. The soil type is red sandy loan with high organic content. The coconut nursery is being managed by one Agricultural officer and one Assistant Agricultural officer.

The Coconut Crossing Centre work is being carried out at three locations namely The state coconut nursery, Shencottai, The state coconut nursery, Vadakarai and Private coconut farm at Vadakarai. The Vadakarai Coconut Nursery is located in the centre place of Tenkasi district and the farmers are benefited by the quality seedlings produced in this farm. Average Production of Coconut Seedlings at State coconut nursery Vadakarai produced Tall Seedlings 17000 Nos.

State Coconut Nursery, Shencottai

A State Coconut Nursery was started in Shencottai on 5th August 1958. This nursery produces and distributes tall, tall X dwarf and dwarf variety coconut seedlings. The area of nursery is 1.95 acres. The yearly achievement of this nursery’s 25000.

Production unit

Bio fertilizer production unit

Bio fertilizer Production Unit ,Tenkasi was established on 2010 and production started on 13.9.2011 onwards. This unit is producing 5 types of strains viz., Azospirillum (Paddy), Azospirillum (Other crops), Rhizobium (Pulses), Rhizobium (Oilseeds) and Phosphobacteriawith an annual production capacity of 250 metric tons of carrier based Bio-fertilizers and distributes at a cost of Rs.6 per packet (carrier bio-fertilizer – 200 gm packet).

Measurable output of biofertilizer is to reduce the usage of inorganic fertilizers through the supplementation of Bio- fertilizers.Increase the usage of eco friendly Bio-fertilizer and preventing the contamination of soil and environment, Usage of Azospirillum (Paddy), Azospirillum (Other crops), Rhizobium (Pulses), Rhizobium (Oilseeds) leads to Nitrogen fixation and Phosphobacteria leads to Phosphorus solubilization in soil which will result in improved availability of Nutrients.To save 20- 25% cost spent on inorganic fertilizers.

Considering the impact of these Bio-fertilizers that will create among the farmers to achieving the desired results such as quality output, eco-friendly environment, toxic free agricultural produce at a low cost and to recognize the remarkable achievement.

Seed Processing Unit

Seed Processing Unit was established in 1979. The Capacity of the unit is 200 tons. Paddy & Pulses were processed in this seed processing unit. Yearly Achievement of the unit is about 180 tons.

Agricultural Extension Centres

Details of Agricultural Extension Centres where Agricultural Inputs (Seeds, bio-Fertilizers, Bio- Pesticides) can be purchased:

Integrated Agriculture Extension Centre

Integrated Agriculture Extension Centres are Tenkasi, Kadayanallur, Keelapavoor blocks located in Tenkasi, Kadayanallur, Keelapavoor blocks.