Agriculture

Agriculture is one of the most important occupations for the people of Union Territory of Puducherry. About 45% of the total population of the UT depends directly or indirectly on farming. The main crop of this territory is paddy. The four isolated territories of the Union Territory of Puducherry are scattered over different agro climatic zones in the States of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala and hence have varying cropping patterns.

While multiple cropping and a high cropping intensity is possible in Pondicherry region due to the favorable soil and climatic conditions, a homogenous cropping pattern with paddy being the predominant crop followed by rice fallow pulses prevails in Karaikal region. Mahe and Yanam regions are tiny territories together accounting for less than 6% of the net area sown. Agriculture sector contributes less than 2% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

During the last five decades the Union Territory of Puducherry has made significant strides in the field of Agriculture by increasing the productivity of agricultural land, achieving crop diversification, exploiting irrigation potential, building infrastructure, creating a well united input and marketing network etc.

Area Under Cultivation in U.T. Puducherry ( as on Feb 2024)

Region	Area under cultivation (Ha)
Puducherry	9849
Karaikal	4891
Mahe	562
Yanam	487
Total	15789

 

 

 

 

 

Climate

The Pondicherry and Karaikal regions have a temperature range of 240 to 33.20 Celsius with an average annual rainfall of 1336 mm in Puducherry and 1386 mm in Karaikal, most of which is received during the north-east monsoon. The Mahe receives an average annual rainfall of 3387 mm and the temperature ranges from 240 to 330 Celsius. In Yanam, the average annual rainfall is 1238 mm and the temperature fluctuates from 280 to 420 Celsius. Most of the rainfall in Mahe and Yanam regions is received in the Southwest Monsoon period. The relative humidity of the Union Territory of Puducherry ranges from 76.9 to 82.8%.

Soil

Puducherry : Sandy Loams, Sandy Soils, Clay and Clayey loams

Karaikal : Deep clay and Clayey loams, sandy loams along the sea coast

Mahe : Red laterite coast

Yanam : Alluvial

Irrigation

During the sixties, surface waterbodies like tanks, wells and ponds played a significant role in augmenting irrigation in Puducherry region. Besides the two major tanks viz., Oosuteri and Bahour, there were 84 surface water storage irrigation tanks with total command area of 6765 hectares and with a water holding capacity of 46.4 mcm. There were also 140 small tanks for harvesting surface water.

Nearly 90% of the net cropped area in Pondicherry is now under irrigation through ground water.Being located in the Cauvery River ayacut system, canal irrigation through the Mettur Dam in the main source of irrigation in Karaikal region. The irrigated area in both Puducherry and Karaikal regions amount to about 90% of net cropped area. Yanam region is irrigated by river Godavari and a copious rainfall covers Mahe region.

Important Crops

The principal food crops are paddy, bajra (cumbu), ragi, and pulses (Greengram, Blackgram and mothbean, cowpea). The cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, coconut, gingelly and chillies. The important horticultural products are bananas, mangoes and vegetables. The plantation wealth of the UT lies in Mahe region mainly. Crops like coconuts, arcanuts, condiments and spices are grown in less quantity. Paddy, Pulses, groundnut, Chillies and Coconut are other crops grown in Yanam.

Horticulture

To promote Horticulture National Horticulture Mission (NHM) has been accorded approval in Puducherry during 2009-10 with a total outlay of Rs.133.50 lakh Puducherry Horticulture Society has been established as per the guidelines of the NHM and registered under the Societies Registration Act. Financial Assistance is extended for the protected house cultivation and high-tech Horticulture like high density mango, guava planting will bring a significant change in the production of vegetables and flowers and fruits in the U.T. of Puducherry. The farmers those interested in horticulture crops will be encouraged and given training on high Tech Horticulture.

Farm Mechanization

Farm Mechanization, despite its existing challenges, has brought about significant improvement in agriculture productivity. The Department of Agriculture has been implementing the Scheme of Promotion of Agriculture Mechanization through Training Testing and Demonstration. Farm machineries and improved agricultural implements are be made available to farmers at subsidized cost.