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GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Cuddalore District is predominatory agricultural district with coastal line stretching from Pondy Union Territory in the North to the mouth of the River Coleroon in the South. The total geographical district is 4283 sq.km with coastal line of 68 kms. The boundaries of the district are:
East : Bay Of Bengal
West : Villupuram District
North : Union Territory of Pondicherry
SOIL
The soil formation of the district is the combination of red soil, red loam, clay cloam and sandy loam. Red soil is found in Panruti Taluk ; Clay and loam soils are found in Chidambaram, Vridhachalam and Cuddalore Taluks.
CLASSIFICATION OF FARMERS
1. Marginal Farmers : 162829
2. Small Farmers : 119484
3. Medium Farmers : 71616
4. Big Farmers : 39805
5. Agricultural Labourers : 237454
CROPS
The major crops cultivated in the district are Paddy, Sugarcane, Groundnut, Millets and Cotton.
DISTRIBUTION OF AREA (9 FOLD CLASSIFICATION)(Ha)
| 1 | FORESTS | 1,415 |
| 2 | BARREN AND UNCULTIVABLE LAND | 14,647 |
| 3 | LAND PUT TO NON AGRL. USE | 46,746 |
| 4 | CULTIVABLE WASTE | 7,445 |
| 5 | PERMANANENT PASTURE AND OTHER GRAZING LANDS | 720 |
| 6 | LANDS UNDER MISC. TREE CROPS NOT INCLUDED IN NET AREA SOWN | 19,187 |
| 7 | CURRENT FALLOW LANDS | 27,935 |
| 8 | OTHER FALLAW LANDS | 11,321 |
| 9 | NET AREA SOWN | 2,38,365 |
| 10 | TOTAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOWN | 3,67,781 |
| A. | AREA SOWN MORE THAN AREA | 79,314 |
| B. | NET AREA SOWN | 2,38,365 |
| C. | TOTAL CROPPED AREA | 3,17,679 |
| D. | CROPPING INTENSITY | 133% |
IRRIGATION SOURCES (AREA : HEC)
| NET | TOTAL | |
| CANALS | 53,863 | 59,094 |
| TANKS | 6,741 | 6,936 |
| TUBE WELLS | 74,443 | 99,671 |
| OPEN WELLS | 6,546 | 7,616 |
| OTHER SOURCES | 856 | 856 |
| TOTAL | 1,42,449 | 1,74,173 |
NORMAL AREA COVERAGE OF MAJOR CROPS IN THIS DISTRICT
| NAME OF THE CROP | IRRIGATED | RAINFED | RICE FALLOWS | TOTAL |
| PADDY | 119500 | - | - | 119500 |
| MILLETS | 2000 | 18100 | - | 20100 |
| PULSES | 1050 | 14450 | 45500 | 61000 |
| OIL SEEDS | 16800 | 39000 | - | 55800 |
| SUGARCANE | 36500 | - | - | 36500 |
| COTTON | 800 | 1300 | 200 | 2300 |
| HORTICULTURAL CROPS | ||||
| TAPIOCA | 5824 | - | - | 5824 |
| BANANA | 3487 | - | - | 3487 |
| CASHEW | - | 25429 | - | 25429 |
IMPORTANT SOURCES OF IRRIGATION
I. CAUVERY DELTA AREA - (CHIDAMBARAM AND KATTUMANNAR KOIL)
| S.NO | Name of the Channel | Ayacut area (ha) |
| 1. | Vadavur | 4740 |
| 2. | North Rajan | 10934 |
| 3. | Khan Sahib & Kavarapattu | 4997 |
| 4. | Veernam Tank | 19776 |
| 5. | Vellar Rajan Vaikkal | 8761 |
| 6. | Wallajah Eri | 4557 |
| 7. | Perumal Eri | 2601 |
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION IN CUDDALORE DISTRICT
SUGARCANE RESEARCH STATION, CUDDALORE
This is one of the Pioneer institute involed in carrying out research works for sugarcane crop in Tamil Nadu.
This institute was started initially at Palur during 1955 and subsequently shifted to Cuddalore during 1957.
12 early season varieties, 5 middle season varieties and 4 late season sugarcane varieties were released
from this research institute so far. Co.C.671 is the variety released during 1975 which has ruled in various parts of the
state for more than 15 years. Here Co denote Coimbatore and C denote Cuddalore. 0ther varieties released
in this institute are Co C 771, CoC 772, CoC 8001, CoC 85061, CoC 86062, CoC 90063, Co 8021, CoC 91061,
CoC 92061, Co 86249, CoC 98061, Co 6304, CoC 774, CoC 775, Co 8362, CoC 99061, CoC 771, CoC 778,
CoC 779 and CoC 8201.
REGIONAL RESEARCH STATION, VRIDHACHALAM
This is the oldest Cashew Research Station in India, working under the control of Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Research work for evolving suitable Cashew variety was commenced in
this institute from 1963 onwards. So for from Cashew varieties were released from this institute. They
are VRI.I, VRI.2, VRI.3 and VRI.4. VRI.2 is the variety found to be highly adoptable not only in Tamil Nadu,
but all over India and it is recongnised as a national variety.
Vegetable Research Station, Palur is situated 17 Kms West of Cuddalore and 10 Kms East of Panruti.
Total area of the research station is 55 Acres. This station is engaged in research activities from 1905 onwards. Mainly research activities on vegetable
production technology is under-taken in this station. Brinjal variety PLR.1. Jack variety PLR.I and Chilli variety PLR.1
were released from this station so for.
VEERANAM TANK
Veeranam tank, under Lower Coleroon anaicut system is the major tank with an ayacut of 44856 acres. The length of its bund is 16.00 k.m. The fore-shore bund length is 30.60 k.m.
The original capacity of this tank was about 1400 Mcft. It has got 34 sluices, the sill level of thelowest is (+)27.69. The sill level of the highest sluice is (+) 40.00. Besides supplying irrigation water, it serves as a source for the drinking water to Chennai Metropolitan water supply scheme also.
II. NON. CAUVERY DELTA AREA(CUDDALORE, PANRUTI, VRIDHACHALAM & TITTAGUDI TALUKS)
NAME OF THE RESERVOIR/TANK : WELLINGTON
AYACUT AREA(HA) : 9623
LOCATION OF RESERVOIR : Tittagudi
III OTHER SOURCES OF IRRIGATION
1 TUBE WELLS ............. 77223
2 PWD/Minor Irrigation Tank ....... 6525
3 Other Sources ................. 857
VEGETABLE RESEARCH STATION, PALUR
WELLINGTON RESERVOIR
Wellington Reservoir is situated in Keelacheruvai village of Tittagudi taluk. The reservoir capacity is29'.71" with an ayacut area of 24059 acres. This reservoir is constructed during 1913-1923.
