Type of agriculture- Western and Eastern Ghats of TN

What type of agriculture is found in Western and Eastern Ghats slopes of Tamil Nadu?

  1. Subsistence intensive agriculture
  2. Plantation Agriculture
  3. Mixed farming
  4. Economic Agriculture

EXPLANATION

1. Geographical Setting

  • The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats form the hilly regions along the western and eastern edges of Tamil Nadu.

  • These slopes include areas such as:

    • Western Ghats: Nilgiris, Anamalai Hills, Palani Hills, and Kodaikanal

    • Eastern Ghats: Shevaroy Hills, Kolli Hills, Yercaud, Kalrayan Hills

These regions have cooler temperatures, heavy rainfall, and fertile, well-drained soils, which make them ideal for plantation crops rather than food grains.

2. Climatic and Soil Conditions

Factor Condition on Ghats Impact on Agriculture
Climate Cool, humid, and moderate temperatures Suitable for perennial crops like tea & coffee
Rainfall 1000–2500 mm per year Promotes lush vegetation and soil moisture
Soil Laterite and loamy soils Retains moisture and nutrients; good drainage
Topography Hilly slopes Not suitable for paddy or cereals, but perfect for plantation crops

3. Major Plantation Crops in Tamil Nadu Ghats

Region Major Crops Notes
Nilgiris (Western Ghats) Tea, Coffee, Eucalyptus Tea is the most dominant plantation crop
Kodaikanal & Palani Hills Coffee, Cardamom, Pepper Mixed plantations on hill slopes
Yercaud (Eastern Ghats) Coffee, Orange, Black pepper Moderate altitude favors coffee plantations
Kolli & Shevaroy Hills Coffee, Banana, Spices Coffee is cultivated under shade trees

These crops are commercial crops, meaning they are grown for trade and profit, not for direct local consumption.

4. Characteristics of Plantation Agriculture

Feature Description
Large-scale production Crops are grown on large estates (hundreds of hectares).
Monocropping A single crop like tea or coffee dominates the area.
Use of labour Requires a large labour force for cultivation, plucking, and processing.
Scientific methods Use of fertilizers, irrigation, and modern processing techniques.
Export-oriented Most crops (tea, coffee, cardamom) are grown for export markets.
Processing industries nearby Tea factories and coffee-curing plants are located close to plantations.

💰 5. Economic Importance

  • Provides employment to thousands of workers in hilly regions.

  • Generates foreign exchange through exports of tea, coffee, and spices.

  • Supports ancillary industries like tea factories, coffee processing units, and spice packaging.

  • Promotes tourism in regions like Nilgiris and Kodaikanal due to scenic plantations.

📘 6. Why Not the Other Options?

Option Why Not Suitable
Subsistence Intensive Agriculture Practiced in plains (for rice, millets) — not in hilly areas.
Mixed Farming Found in plains where crops and livestock are raised together.
Economic Agriculture A general term — Plantation Agriculture is a specific type of economic (commercial) farming.

✅ Final Answer:

The Western and Eastern Ghats slopes of Tamil Nadu practice Plantation Agriculture, mainly cultivating tea, coffee, cardamom, and spices, due to favorable climate, rainfall, and soil conditions.

Type of agriculture- Western and Eastern Ghats of TN