Wrapper Project Team Foreward Preface Executive Summary ...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY1.1. A Brief Introduction to the District, its Location, Features, etc.Kanyakumari district was formed on 1 st November 1956 from the territoriestransferred to the then Madras State from the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin State.Kanyakumari district is the southern most district of Tamil Nadu. The district liesbetween 77 o 15 ' and 77 o 36 ' of the eastern longitudes and 8 o 03 ' and 8 o 35 ' of the northernlatitudes. The district is bound by Tirunelveli district on the north and the east. The SouthEastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar. On south and southwest, the district is bound byIndian Ocean and Arabian Sea and in west and northwest, it is bound by Kerala State.1.2. Main Points of SWOT of the DistrictKanyakumari district has 47 per cent of the total geographical area as net sownarea in 2006-07. The district has got good forest cover, accounting around 32 per cent ofthe geographical area and receives good rainfall from both southwest and northeastmonsoons. Some of the weaknesses with agriculture in Kanyakumari district are nonadoptionof recommended technologies, labour scarcity during major activity, frequentincidence of RTD and stem borer during rabi season, soil acidity etc. Net sown area was47 per cent, area sown more than once was eight per cent and the gross cropped area was55 per cent during 2006-07. Paddy, banana and tapioca are the important annual cropsand coconut and rubber are the important perennial crops. The yield gaps in the cropswere (Paddy (50%), banana (15%), tapioca (25%) and coconut (55%)) high and there isscope for increasing the yield through appropriate technological interventions. Heavyrains during harvest of kharif affect the harvest and post harvest activities as well. Cropdamage due to wind is more pronounced in banana crop. Pastures and grazing lands werevery low and it is decreasing over years.1.3. Areas / Sectors, which Need to be Addressed in the DistrictArea needs to be addressed include certified seed production and distribution,incentive for seed production to self help groups, seed distribution subsidy for the seedsExecutive Summaryi