RESOURCES

Human Resources

Population

The population (Provisional Population) as per the census 2001 was 28.33 lakhs, constituting 4.56 % of the state population. It shows a growth rate of 16.66 % over the 1991 census population. The district ranked 7th in the state in terms of population size. Population density was 294 per Sq. Km, which is far below the State average of 478. Male population constituted 51.61%.

Table No 3.1
Demographic profile of Dharmapuri District Vis-à-vis State ( Census-2001 )

• The district ranks 7th in the state in terms of population size.



• It has the 4th lowest population density in the state after Sivaganga, Perambalur and Salem districts.



• It has the 2nd lowest sex ratio in the state after Salem district.

Table No 3.2
Literacy rate in Dharmapuri District Vis-à-vis State

	Dharmapuri	State
Literary rate	59.23 %	73.47 %
Male literacy	68.82 %	82.33 %
Female literacy	49.10 %	64.55 %

The district has the lowest literacy rate in the state. Incidentally, the same was the status during the 1991 census. Low literacy, among the men as well as women, has resulted in over dependence on agriculture for employment. This is one among the reasons for the economic backwardness of the district.

The district has 9 polytechnics/ITIs and 4 engineering colleges and so there is no dearth of technical manpower.

Occupational Pattern

According to the 1991 census, nearly 48 % of the district population constituted the workforce. Nearly 74 % of the main workers were dependant on agriculture. The results of 2001 census, which is expected shortly may through more light on the present position. Following table shows the occupational pattern of workforce prevalent during the census 1991

Table No3.3
Occupational Pattern

Srl. No.	Category	% of Labour Employed
1	Cultivators	43 %
2	Agricultural labourers	31 %
3	Household Industry workers	1 %
4	Other industrial workers & Service sector workers	18 %
5	Marginal workers	7 %
	Total	100 %

Source : Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Chennai.

Material Resources

Agriculture

Agriculture The district economy is mainly agrarian in nature. Except for the Hosur block the dependence on agriculture is conspicuous. Nearly 74 % of the workforce is dependant on agriculture and allied activities. The district is one among most backward and drought prone area in the state. Land brought under cultivation was 3.93 lakh hectares constituting 40.7 % against the state share of 59.2 %. The district constituted the main horticultural belt in the state. It accounts for 12 % of the area under horticulture in Tamilnadu.

Land use pattern

The district accounted for 7.4 % of the geographical area of the state. Of the total 9.62 lakh hectares of land, nearly 38 % is occupied by forest and the net sown area accounted for 40.7 %. Following table shows the land use pattern in the district during 1999-2000.

Table No. 3.4
Land Utilisation pattern in the district in 1999-2000
(Area in Hectares)

Land Classification	Area (in Hectares)	% to total area
Geographical area	9,64,103	X
Forest	3,66,226	38.0
Barren & uncultivable land	42,846	4.4
Land put to non-agri. Use	50,778	5.3
Culturable waste	14,232	1.5
Permanent pastures and Other Grazing lands	13,668	1.4
Land under Miscellaneous tree crop & groves (not included in Net Area Sown)	6,033	0.6
Current fallow	66,073	6.9
Other fallow land	11,589	1.2
Net area sown	3,92,658	40.7
Area sown more than once	52,450	X
Gross cropped area	4,55,642	X

Source: Season and Crop Report of Tamilnadu, Dept of Statistics, Chennai

Agriculture Cropping Pattern

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in this district. Nearly 3.92 lakh hectares constituting 41 % of the geographical area has been brought under cultivation. Gross cropped area is 4.56 lakh hectares. Paddy, Groundnut, sugarcane, cotton, pulses and coconut are the major corps cultivated. The district is known for its coarse cereals and millets like ragi and samai.

Also, the district is the horticulture belt in the state. It is famous for mango. Area under horticulture in the district accounted for 13 % of the geographical area against the average area of 8 % in the state.

TABLE No.3.5
AREA UNDER DIFFERENT PRODUCT GROUPS DURING1999-00

Major Product Group	Area In Dharmapuri (In Hectares)	% To Gross Cropped Area	Area In Tamilnadu	% To Total Area In The State
Food crops 1. Cereals	1,61,245	34.33	29,40,222	45.10
2. Pulses	92,758	19.75	6,92,539	10.62
3. Condiments & Spices	7,201	1.53	1,81,588	2.79
4. Sugar crop	24,126	5.14	3,31,748	5.09
5. Fruits & Vegetables	62,098	13.22	5,11,610	7.85
Total	3,47,428	73.97	46,57,707	71.45
Non Food Crop 1. Fibre crop	13,521	2.88	1,81,790	2.79
2. Oil Seeds	95,753	20.39	12,22,941	18.76
3. Other Non food Crop	12,986	2.76	4,56,671	7.00
Total	1,22,260	26.03	18,61,402	28.55
Gross Cultivated Area	4,69,688	100.00	65,19,109	100

Source: Season & Crop Report of Tamilnadu, Dept of Statistics, Chennai

• The district has the highest area under fruits and vegetable.



• The district has the 4th highest area under cereals in the state.



• It has the highest area under pulses.



• It accounted for the 3rd largest area under edible oil seeds in the state.

Table No 3.6
Area and yield of select crop during the year 1999-2000

Name of Crop	Normal Area (in Hectares)		Normal Production (in Tonnes)		Area during 1999-00 (in Hectares)		Total Production (In Tonnes)		Average Yield per Hectares (In Tonnes)
	D’puri	State	D’puri	State	D’puri	State	D’puri	State	D’puri	State
Rice	57,792	22,41,679	1,98,994	69,67,204	54,875	21,63,558	2,00,570	75,32,100	3.655	3.481
Jowar	22,865	3,92,909	36,074	373,488	15,115	3,51,290	26,970	3,45,820	1.784	0.984
Cumbu	3,155	1,68,401	6,248	2,12,412	3,736	1,57,772	7.230	2,41,490	1.938	1.531
Ragi	59,348	1,17,382	1,10,240	2,24,818	64,598	1,22,715	1,30,080	2,45,940	2.014	2.004
Samai	26,737	45,429	21,246	36,036	21,889	36,299	13,960	26,580	0.638	0.732
Bengalgram	321	8,257	62	5,284	540	7,825	50	4,950	0.091	0.633
Greengram	1,680	1,18,249	922	51,834	2,438	1,29,301	1,140	60,350	0.467	0.467
Blackgram	3,031	2,32,842	1,488	99,215	4,857	2,70,180	1,890	1,05,120	0.389	0.389
Redgram	10,516	79,657	6,692	40,630	10,468	64,947	6,430	43,330	0.614	0.667
Horsegram	43,353	89,151	19,860	40,045	54,573	1,04,092	3,010	53,350	0.525	0.513
Mochai	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	12,638	25,382	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
Groundnut	73,033	8,97,644	1,16,602	14,50,924	64,649	7,59,309	87,080	13,18,220	1.347	1.736
Gingelly	1,817	1,04,788	892	49,288	3,804	1,12,025	1,990	66,020	0.525	0.589
Sunflower	1,933	18,547	1,746	19,202	2,528	12,500	2,170	14,270	0.858	1.142
Castor	3,271	30,683	1,120	9,475	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
Sugarcane	18,804	3,08,484	16,84,286	330,36,622	23,922	3,16,440	20,87,100	344,64,110	87	109
Cotton (170 kg bales)	21,786	2,35,453	41,610	354,148	13,304	1,78,325	31,560	3,39,520	0.403	0.324
Coconut					20,472	3,04,028	3,741 lakh nuts	32,220 lakh nuts	18,272 nuts	10,204 nuts

Source: Season and Crop Report of Tamilnadu, Dept of Economics and Statistics

The following points worth a mention here, while discussing the cropping pattern in the district during 1999--2000.

• Dharmapuri district accounted for the major share of coarse cereals/millets and pulses like ragi, samai, horse gram, mochai and red gram.



• The district accounted for nearly 53 % of the area and out tern of ragi in the state.



• It accounted for 60.3 % of the area and 52.5 % of the total output of samai in the state.



• It has 5.1% of area under Jowar but accounted for 12.48 % of the output.



• It accounted for 16 % of the area (second highest area) and 15 % of the yield of red gram in the state.



• It also constituted the major horse gram area in the state with 52.4 % of the area and 53.7 % of the yield.



• Also, the district accounted for 49.8% of the area under mochai.



• The district contributed 14.5 % of pulses produced in the state and stood second in terms of output.



• It has the lowest average yield of Bengal gram in the state.



• It accounted for 9 % of the cotton output in the state and stood 3rd in terms of total production after Perambalur and Virudhunagar districts.



• It accounted for 15.77 % of the tapioca produced in the state.



• It has the near monopoly of suntemp fibre with 99 % of the area under the crop in the state.



• The district accounted for the highest area under edible oils seeds like mustard (78.6 %) and sunflower (20 %). In terms of out-turn it stands first in mustard seed (76.9 %) and third in sunflower (15 %) and caster (13 %).



• It has the highest area, accounting for 60 % of the state area, under niger seeds.

Agricultural Marketing

There are 16 regulated markets in the district. They have handled 25,688 tonnes of commodities and transacted business worth 147.02 lakhs during 1998-99. Farmers Markets (Ulzhavar Shandies ) have also been opened in Hosur, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri for the convenience of the farmers to directly sell their products to the consumers.

Irrigation

Nearly 35.3 % of the net sown area is irrigated against the State level of 53.62%. Wells forms the major sources of irrigation followed by tanks.

Thenpennar and its tributaries like Vaniar and Markandanathi irrigates part of the area in the district. The Krishnagiri reservoir is constructed across Thenpennar. Though River Cauvery passes through the district for 67 Kms, it does not aid the district in irrigation.

The following table gives the extent of irrigation through various sources in the district.

Table No 3.7
Area Irrigated through different sources (1999-00)

Sl.No.	Source	Net area irrigated (in hectares)	% to total
1 2 3 4	Canals Tanks Tube Wells Wells Others	5,693 16,475 89 114716 1724	4.1 11.9 0.1 82.7 1.2
	Total	1,38,697	100.00

Horticulture

Dharmapuri district forms a major horticultural belt in the state. It possesses nearly 12 % of the horticulture area in the state. Area under horticulture in the district accounted for 13 % of the gross sown area. As the area is drought-prone, it has become essential to switch over to cultivation of drought tolerant perennial fruit crops in this district.

Area under horticulture in the district is 79 thousand hectares. Out of this fruits accounted for 39 to 40 thousand hectares., vegetables 28.8 thousand hectares, spices and condiments another 7.87 thousand hectares and flowers accounted for 1900 hectares.

Mango is the main horticulture crop, which is grown in about 36.6 thousand hectares. It has the highest area under the crop. The district accounts for nearly one-third area under mango and nearly one-half of the mango yield in the state.

Following table No 3.6 shows the area, total yield and average yield of select horticultural products in the district.

TABLE No.3.8
Area and yield of select horticultural crop during 1999-00

Name of Crop	Area under the crop (in Hectares)		Total Production (In Tonnes)		Yield per hectare (in Tonnes)
	D’puri	TamilNadu	D’puri	TamilNadu	D’puri	TamilNadu
banana	1,362	85,122	50,120	31,32,240	36.797	36.797
Mango	36,647	1,04,301	1,37,490	3,13,990	3.752	3.010
Guava	410	9,369	1,390	31,700	3.383	3.383
Tapioca	11,938	85,322	4,23,290	32,66,410	35.457	38.283
Chilly	926	86,315	1,200	55,940	1.302	0.648
Onion	818	35,280	7,310	3,15,080	8.931	8.931
Turmeric	3,179	32,511	12,310	1,67,380	3.872	5.148
Tamarind	2,272	20,497	8,180	65,060	3.601	3.107
Tomato	6,081	29,725	86,150	3,42,210	14,167	11,512
Grape	173	2,143	3,900	40,980	22.536	19.124
Papaya	43	195	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
Total Vegetable	22,979	2,01,810	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.
Total Veg & Fruits	79119	3,09,800	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.	N.A.

Source: Season and Crop Report of Tamilnadu, Dept of Economics and Statistics, 1998

• Almost all types of fruits and vegetable are cultivated in Dharmapuri district. The district accounted for 12 % of vegetable area and 12.6% of fruit area in the state during 1999-2000.



• Dharmapuri district is very famous for mango. It has the highest area and yield accounting for 35 % of the area and 43.8 % of the out turn. Nearly 80 % of the products are of Thottapuri variety (Banglora), commonly referred as Keelimukku. Krishnagiri, Pochampalli & Uthangarai are the main places where mango plantations are concentrated.



• Grape is another important fruit crop. The district is in 4th position in terms of area under grape. But it has the highest yield. It is mainly cultivated at Hosur, Pochampalli and Denkanikottai.



• It has the 3rd highest area under chikku with yield rate of nearly two times that of the state average.



• The district has the 2nd highest area under tomato and accounted for 22 % of the area in the state and 25 % of its output. Palacode, Hosur, Krishnagiri and Denkanikottai are the main area where tomato is cultivated.



• The district also accounted for 22 % of the area under Papaya (Second highest area after Coimbatore district)



• It has the highest area under mint in the state accounting for 53 %.



• It also accounted for 12.6 % of the tamarind produced in the state. Tamarind is mainly available in Krishnagiri, Hosur & Denkanikottai.



• Chilli is cultivated mainly at Denkanikottai, Krishnagiri & Pennagaram.

Table No. 3.9
Area under different flowers in Dharmapuri district during 1999-2000

Name of the Flower	Area in Dharmapuri (Area in Hec.)
Rose	232
Jasmine	590
Mullai	122
Jadhi Malli	65
Crossadra	343
Chrysanthemum	310
Chevanthi	60
Arali	30
Marigold	119
MariKolundhu	31
Total Flowers	1902

Source: Asst. Director of Horticulture, Dharmapuri

13 major floriculture farms are located in Hosur & Denkanikottai taluks of the district.

The State Government is setting up a Floriculture Infrastructure Park near Hosur with private equity participation with the aim of promoting hi-tech export oriented units of floriculture, Fruits and vegetables. The park will provide services like Green house, central packing house, market information & marketing assistance, cold storage facility, laboratory facility, R & D centre, training centre, etc. The Park will promote more floriculture and horticulture activity in and around Hosur.

Sericulture

Sericulture plays an important role in the economy of Dharmapuri District. The District ranks first in the state in cultivation of mulberry and production of Cocoons. Area under Mulberry during 2000-01 was 16,154.60 acres accounting for over 75 % state area under mulberry and cocoon production stood at 36.03 tonnes valued at Rs.4229.92 lakhs.

Mulberry is cultivated in all the 18 blocks of the district. Yet, Shoolagiri, Hosur, Pennagaram, Kelamangalam, Veppanapalli and Thally blocks together account for over 75% of the total area under mulberry. Block-wise area under mulberry and production of cocoons are furnished in the following table.

Table No. 3.10
AREA UNDER MULBERRY & COCOON PRODUCTION DURING 2000 -01

S.No.	Name of the Block	Area under Mulberry Acres	Production of Cocoons (in tonnes)	Value (Rs. in lakhs)
1	Dharmapuri	694.95	1.296	144.415
2	Nallampalli	307.10	0.260	30.903
3	Harur	125.75	0.075	8.431
4	Morappur	228.70	0.219	24.711
5	Pappireddipatti	158.90	0.075	8.629
6	Pennagaram	2320.70	4.242	530.250
7	Palacode	969.20	1.532	191.500
8	Kelamangalam	1564.95	3.550	439.800
9	Thally	1179.50	1.880	225.600
10	Hosur	2754.50	7.966	943.174
11	Shoolagiri	2992.25	8.721	1032.566
12	Veppanapalli	1386.75	3.768	444.620
13	Krishnagiri	284.90	0.640	75.500
14	Bargur	518.10	0.896	105.730
15	Kaveripattinam	447.85	0.752	88.740
16	Karimangalam	121.85	0.053	6.250
17	Mathur	50.40	0.061	7.230
18	Uthangarai	48.25	0.060	7.050
	Total	16154.60	36.046	4315.199

Source: Asst. Director of Sericulture, Dharmapuri

Area under mulberry, which stood at 21554.95 acres during 1996-97 had declined to the present level due to lower prices realised for cocoons by the farmers. The farmers had switched over to other crops. The import of Chinese silk had also contributed to lower prices for the domestic product.

Following table shows the production of cocoons and silk yarn over the years in Dharmapuri District.

Table No 3.11
PRODUCTION OF COCOONS & SILK YARN OVER THE YEARS IN DHARMAPURI DISTRICT

S.No.	Year	Area under Mulberry (in Acres)	Cocoon Production		No. of Silk Reeling Units	Production of Silk Yarn (in Tonnes)
			Qty (in tonnes)	Value (in Lakhs)		Qty (in tonnes)	Value (in Lakhs)
1	1994-95	17785.50	43,512	4159.74	155	1,155	1201.20
2	1995-96	21128.75	57,228	5991.77	191	1,683	1918.62
3	1996-97	21554.95	48,281	5226.42	196	1,517	1788.54
4	1997-98	13057.90	38,720	3949.44	156	1695	1881.45
5	1998-99	14369.75	40,430	4507.95	174	1,443	1751.80
6	1999-00	15467.20	38,310	4022.55	154	1,669	1994.45
7	2000-01	16154.60	36,030	4229.92	183	1,950	2515.50

Source : Assistant Director of Sericulture, Dharmapuri.

Though this district is producing considerable quantity of silk yarn, there is no silk weaving centre in this district. The silk yarn produced is marketed mainly at Kancheepuram. There is ample scope for accelerating sericulture activity in the district by bringing more area under mulberry cultivation through concerted efforts. Silk weaving centres can also be started in the district.

Fisheries

Dharmapuri being an inland district, fishing is restricted to inland fishing only here. Total inland fresh water spread area is 1628 acres. Main varieties of fish available are katla, rogu, mirgal, common and corp. Total fish catch in 1999-2000 was estimated at 5592 tonnes valued at Rs.283.702 lakhs.

Main fishing centres are Bargur, Krishnagiri and Shoolagiri.

Animal Husbandry

The district has a sizeable high bovine population and poultry.
Following table gives the population of livestock and poultry in 1999-00.

Table No.3.12
Livestock population as on 31.3.2001

S.No.	Livestock	Population as on
		31.3.2001	31.3.1996
1	Cattle	2,92,503	5,26,463
2	Buffaloes	1,06,112	1,36,332
3	Sheep	3,40,555	4,45,418
4	Goat	1,65,680	2,42,223
5	Poultry	3,18,593	16,20,536

Source: Asst. Director of Animal Husbandry, Dharmapuri.

There has been an abnormal reduction in the animal population during the last 5 years in the district. Still the district has potential for development of livestock-based industries like Dairy products and meat processing. Milk production in the district during 1999-00 was 347.27 lakh litres. Meat production was 461.7 Tonnes during the same period. The University of Animal Husbandry & Research Centre, located at Kumdalapatti in this district carries research on livestock. There is Cattle Farm at Hosur in this district.

Mineral Resources

Dharmapuri district is endowed with sizeable reserves of granite. High quality black granite is available at Pennagaram, Harur, and Palacode blocks. Grey granite is available at Krishnagiri and Pochampalli. Multi-colour granite is available at Denkanikottai.

Quartz is available at Pinnamangalam village of Denkanikottai taluk, Kendiganipalli village of Pennagaram taluk and A.Velampatti & Pethampatti of Harur Taluk.

Another high value mineral product available here is Maliptinum, which is identified as a good conductor. It is available in Harur. So far, it has not yet been mined. TAMIN has a proposal to explore the mineral.

The following table shows the quantity and value of various minerals extracted during 1998-99 in Dharmapuri District.

Table No. 13
Quantity and value of Minerals extracted during 1998-99

Name of the mineral	Quantity (tonnes)	Value (Rs. in lakhs)
White Clay Quartz Rough Stone or Jelly Sand Colour Granite Block Granite	295 Tonne 1,500 Tonne 43,350 Tonne 2,25,900 Tonne 28,734 CBM 4,301 CBM	38.25 195.00 6.07 29.37 401.95 103.91

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Chennai.

There is high potential for starting mineral-based industries especially granite polishing in the district.