Abstract

Groundnut, which occupies nearly two million neres in this State is mostly raised as a rainfed crop in drylands. It is also raised as an irrigated crop in the summer season over an area of 1'5 lakhs of acres in the districts of South Arcot, Madurai and Tiruchirapalli. This latter cropping is important in many respects. Firstly the yields obtained are high, being on an average two to three times the yield obtained in the rainfed season. Secondly irrigated produce has about 2 percent more oil and is very valuable in the crushing industry. Thirdly the produce comes to the market in about July-August when the stocks of the earlier crop are almost exhausted and therefore the produce fetches a high price. Conse- quently the area under irrigated cropping is showing signs of increase. The improved irrigation facilities resulting from various ameliorative schemes have resulted in intensifying the cultivation of summer groundnut.

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