An Economic Analysis Of Agricultural Crop Diversification In High Rainfall Zone Of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Kanyakumari district, located in the high rainfall zone of Tamil Nadu, has experienced notable shifts in cropping patterns over the past two decades. The present study was undertaken with the specific objectives of analyzing the trends in area under major crops, examining the direction of change in cropping patterns using the Markov Chain approach and evaluating the extent of crop diversification through Herfindahl and Simpson indices. The study is entirely based on secondary data for a 20-year period from 2004-05 to 2023-24, sourced from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Tamil Nadu. Major crops considered include paddy, pulses, banana, mango, tapioca, coconut, rubber, spices and fodder. The compound growth rate analysis revealed that while some crops declined in area, rubber and coconut consistently exhibited significant and positive growth. The Markov Chain analysis showed a gradual decline in the share of food crops and a rise in non-food crops, highlighting a marginal improvement in diversification over time. The diversification indices further confirmed mild shifts in crop concentration, with the Herfindahl index increasing and the Simpson index decreasing slightly across the periods. Based on the findings, the study recommends promoting high-value, perennial crops such as rubber, coconut and spices in high rainfall areas like Kanyakumari to enhance income stability. Additionally, the adoption of agroforestry, intercropping and conservation-based practices is suggested to improve land-use efficiency and ensure sustainable agricultural development.