Agriculture:
Agriculture is the main
occupation of the people & it continues to be the main economic activity
of the district. According to the 1991 census, agriculture provides full
time employment to 13.56% of the total workers. More than half of the district's
income is from agriculture & allied sectors. Heterogeneity in cultivation
practices & diversity of cropping patterns are the important features
of agriculture in the district. Over 90% of the land holdings are less
than one hectare. The normal sowing season of first paddy crop is April-May.
Coconut occupies maximum area under crops, covering 1,22,380 hectares.
Rubber,
one of the most important plantation crops of the district, is grown in
midland and highland regions where the soil and climate conditions are
favorable. The Rubber Board promotes plantations by introducing various
schemes.
Pepper is the most important
spices crop cultivated in the district. Pepper is grown mainly in highland
and midland regions and mostly the plantations are small. |
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Animal Husbandry:
The Animal Husbandry Dept.
is vested with the animal health programs in the district by making available
timely veterinary assistance. At present, there are 47 veterinary hospitals,
37 veterinary dispensaries & 1 mobile dispensary. Intensive Cattle
Development Project (ICDP) Office, which covers the districts Wayanad,
Kozhikode & Malappuram, is situated at Kozhikode. Under this project,
a regional artificial insemination centre & 36 sub-centres are functioning
here. In addition to this, there are 2 veterinary polyclinics, 1 regional
poultry farm & 1 clinical laboratory. There is a Rinderpest vigilance
unit functioning at Kozhikode aiming at the eradication of Rinderpest disease.
Dairy
Development:
The Dairy Development Dept.
undertakes several programs to enhance milk production. Under the Fodder
Development Program, the dairy farmers are given fodder seeds & root
slips at subsidized rates & fertilizer in full subsidy. Incentives
for fodder cultivation on commercial scale are provided to farmers & dairy
cooperatives to take up massive fodder production. Assistance is also offered
for conservation of fodder as silage or hay.
There are 147 milk co-operative societies in this district. The department
extends assistance to sustain & develop these primary organizations.
The dairy co-operatives are assisted in purchasing modern milk testing
equipment, milk cans, chemicals for milk testing & sanitation, building
for milk collection & office room, purchase of furniture, working capital
& managerial grant. The co-operative milk societies are also assisted
in the purchase of milk,cooler, freezer, refrigerator, generator,etc.
There are 10 dairy extension service units in the district. Apart from
this, the dairy farmers are given assistance for the construction of model
cattleshed & establishment of model dairy farm units. Cattle feed,
mineral mixture & vitamin supplements at subsidized prices are distributed
to deserving farmers. In order to adopt scientific management practices
for rearing cows, dairy farm instructors & extension officers used
to conduct demonstration classes, film shows, exhibitions, cattle shows,
seminars, etc.
Fisheries:
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With a coastline of 71kms.
from Chaliyar to Azhiyoor, the district of Kozhikode offers enormous natural
resources for the development of fisheries. The district is abundant in
brackish water area & therefore, there is good scope for shrimp farming.
Fishing
is the main occupation of a large number of people in the coastal belt.
The fishing industry makes a sizeable contribution to the economy
of the district. The number of active fishermen in the district is around
20,000.
The major fish landing centres
are Beypore, Vellayil, Puthiyappa, Koyilandy, Vadakara & Chombala &
the average annual landing is estimated to about 1 lakh metric tonnes.
There are about 614 registered mechanized boats & 2,657 motorized country
crafts, in this district. |
