Yield gap analysis of Paddy in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Paddy cultivated in over 45,800 hectares in 24 districts including Tanjavur and Tiruvarur of Cauvery delta zone of Tamil Nadu. India has recorded an average Paddy productivity of 2.4. t/ha and Tamil Nadu has an yield level of over 3.15 t/ha on the year 2021 exceeding national level. Keeping in view of the production and productivity of Paddy at the national and state levels, and an in depth analysis of production and yield gap of ADT 43 at Cauvery delta zone were studied. The productivity ranged from 3638 Kg/ha in Tanjavur district to 5117 Kg/ha in Tiruvarur district with the mean productivity of 4435 Kg/ha in the Cauvery Delta Zone. (S and C report of GoTN) The mean yield gap in Cauvery delta Zone was 26.33%. The constraints to Paddy productivity included non-availability labour, late planting due to delayed water supply from metur dam and incidence of pests and diseases. The research study given that among the different categories of paddy growers, small farmers were found to have an average yield gap of 55.63 percent followed by medium farmers with an average yield gap of 30.35 percent and for large farmers, the average yield gap was found to be 20.25 %. The R-squared value (R2) is provided as 0.524, which indicates the proportion of variance in the yield gap that is explained by the
factors included in the regression model. The F-statistic is given as 3.404**, which is a test of overall significance for the regression model. These results suggests that the cost of inputs, using own seeds on multiple years, and chemical pesticide usage are significant
factors influencing the yield gap in paddy cultivation, while non-availability of labor and not following soil testing recommendations are not significant factors in this analysis.