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Agriculture
constitutes the most important segment of the district's
economy and it is the biggest source of employment. About
seventy per cent of the geographical area is under
cultivation.
Rice, coconut, lemongrass, rubber, pepper, ginger, mango,
cashewnut, etc., are the most important agricultural produce
of the district. Roughly 40 per cent of the total cultivated
area is under paddy and 25 per cent under coconut. Usually
three corps of paddy are raised annually - viruppu, mundakan
and puncha and there is another system called pokkali which is
peculiar to the district. Under this system only one crop can
be taken in a year. After harvest suitable varieties of fishes
are grown in the fields which is more profitable.
The State Agricultural Department provides integrated service
in respect of seeds, fertilizers and other aids to the
farmers. There are 35 agricultural development offices in the
district. Integrated agricultural development services are
provided through these centres.
Coconut cultivation, which is next to paddy in importance is
done in the coastal area as well as in the highlands. Several
schemes are being implemented by the Agricultural Department
to maximise the production of coconut by rejuvenation of the
existing garden in an intensive manner and by bringing
additional areas under the crop. These schemes also envisage
extension of institutional finance with departmental subsidy.
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