Abstract

                                Rice grain production in Tamil Nadu had ranged from 3.33 million tonnes to 7.56 million tonnes during 1959-60 to 1996-97. The overall trend on rice production and productivity increased but the area under rice showed a decreasing trend. Rice area in the state was declining at an average rate of 22,900 ha-1 yr and the total rice grain production increased at an average of 84,600 1 yr. The North Eastern Zone, Cauvery Delta Zone and Southern Zone contributed to 87% of total rice production in the state with a standard deviation of 1.64%. The Western Zone, North Western Zone and High Rainfall Zone contributed to 12.8% Rice productivity (kg grain ha-1) in Tamil Nadu had shown an increasing trend at an average of 82 kg ha-1 yr. The overall mean of rice productivity was highest in the Western Zone (4.2 ha).

Key words : Rice, Agro-climatic zones, Field trend