Vol. 10, Special Issue 9 (2021)

Author(s):
R Gowri Shankar, R Rajesh and S Selvam

Abstract:
In this paper, an attempt was made to analyze the production of tapioca in the Namakkal District. Based on the area under tapioca, three blocks of Namagiripet, Paramathi, and Kabilarmalai were selected. The total sample size was 120 tapioca growers. The study revealed that a declining trend was observed during the 2009-2019 period in the area, production, and productivity of tapioca due to an increase in area under Sorghum and Maize and fluctuating prices for tapioca tubers in the study area. In the study area, tapioca growers were mostly using traditional varieties. It was observed that nitrogen fertilizer was over utilized in marginal and small farms. Whereas phosphorous and potassium fertilizers and machinery usage were less when compared to recommended farm input packages. Hence high yielding and quality setts might be popularized in the study area to improve the productivity and quality of tubers for enhancement of better income to the tapioca growers. Hence government should take necessary steps to strengthen transportation infrastructure and to facilitate the dissemination of market information through all possible mass media for the benefit of the farming community. Further, a suitable price policy would be implemented by the government to protect the poor tapioca farmers from the existing uncertainty in the tuber prices.