Decadal changes in rice cultivation in Tamil Nadu: Resurvey approach

Abstract

The study was carried out to estimate the share of factors diversification within a decade period. From 2001 to 2011, external and internal factors has been continuously changed that altered cost and production of rice in Tamil Nadu. The study followed the sampling procedure of Cost of Cultivation for Principle Crops (CCPC) scheme. Cobb-Douglas production function was employed to study the technical efficiency among rice farmers. The cost of production (deflated into 2001 price) was higher (Rs. 44500) in 2011 than during 2001 (Rs. 30529) as rising trend of labour shortage for intercultural operations. Surge in input prices escalated cost structure, but accordingly productivity was not increased. Only two per cent hike was found over a decade period, which was due to machinery and fertilizer. Technical efficiency of rice farmers was around 88 per cent in 2011 compared to 78 per cent in 2001. Hence, efficiency level considerably rose up within the decade and further increase in productivity was possible by adoption of technologies such as farm mechanization, optimum dose of input use and system of rice intensification.