report of the working group on improvement of banking services

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Chapter 4
DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE & ALLIED ACTIVITIES
4.1 Agriculture is a mainstay <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> economy <strong>of</strong> Lakshadweep. A large part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> population depends upon
agriculture. The entire cultivable land is used for coconut cultivation. Out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total area <strong>of</strong> 3200 hectares, <strong>the</strong>
cropped area is 2570 hectares and <strong>the</strong> net sown area is also <strong>the</strong> same. Despite <strong>the</strong> fact that scientific
cultivation practices are not followed, productivity <strong>of</strong> coconut is very high in Lakshadweep at 22575 nuts per
hectare. The entire island has become an organic farming region as <strong>the</strong> islanders use bio-fertilisers, organic
manure and micro nutrients only. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are banned. Major bye-products <strong>of</strong>
coconut are, dondi (dweep halwa), coconut jaggery, vinegar made out <strong>of</strong> coconut water. Although <strong>the</strong>re is good
demand for dweep halwa especially from tourists and <strong>the</strong> main land, <strong>the</strong> same could not be met due to lack <strong>of</strong>
supply or production. Thus <strong>the</strong> demand for such islands products have not been commercially exploited.
At present <strong>the</strong> farmers make copra only during summer and entire copra produced is sold in <strong>the</strong> main
land markets, especially at Mangalore, Kozhikode and Kannur.
The earliest history <strong>of</strong> Lakshadweep shows that farmers in <strong>the</strong> islands cultivated rice and o<strong>the</strong>r cereals
like, jowar, sorgum, ragi, sweet potato, banana, wild colacasia, and cowpea. The low-lying water logged lands
in Androth, Kalpeni, Amini, Kavaratti and Agatti were used for cultivating <strong>the</strong>se crops. These low-lying areas
were called “Thottams”. Although crop cultivation was successful, due to ecological and geological limitations
it was discontinued. At present, in <strong>the</strong> entire island only coconut is cultivated.
Rainfall, Climate and Soil Quality
4.2 At present, agriculture in <strong>the</strong> islands is only rain fed. The average annual rainfall is 1600 mm and <strong>the</strong>
temperature ranges between 25 o Celsius to 35 o Celsius and <strong>the</strong> relative humidity is in <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> 70 to 80%.
The soil type is coral sandy loam from coral sand and sedimentary rocks with <strong>the</strong> PH range <strong>of</strong> about 7. The soil
is rich in calcium and phosphorus but highly deficient in nitrogen and potash.