Abstract

Rice, being a primary food, occupies a pre-eminent position in crop production. In India and particularly in Tamil Nadu, a steady increase both in area and output of rice has been recorded. This increase has been phenomenal in recent times reaching an area of 6.8 million acres and an output of 4.2 million tons with an average acre yield of 1,385 lb. Many factors have contributed towards this end, the chief among them being the use of fertilisers and high fertiliser-responsive strains. A point of satura- tion is likely to be reached in the area under rice and in the use of inputs. An attempt has been made in this paper to examine critically the various limitations and plan for a better approach towards maximising rice production in the State.

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