[VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 2 I APRIL – JUNE 2018] e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138 http://ijrar.com/ Cosmos Impact Factor 4.236 SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN KONGU UPLANDS,

Jasim H. R.1 & Kumaraswamy K.2 1 UGC – BSR Research Scholar, 2 UGC – BSR faculty Fellow Department of Geography, Bharathidasan University, - 620 024

Received: March 08, 2018 Accepted: April 10, 2018

ABSTRACT This study is an attempt to examine the spatial analysis of agricultural development in Kongu Uplands of Tamil Nadu. Agricultural development is one of the most important components of development in any region. Agriculture is termed as basic back born of Indian economy in overall. The level of development of agriculture depends on many indicators. Some of them are irrigation facility, cropping pattern, cropping production, net zone area, agricultural marketing etc. This study is based on secondary data collected from Census of 2001 and 2011, Economic and statistical Hand book and G-Retun data. Block is the units of study in the Kongu Uplands of Tamil Nadu. The main objectives of this study is to identify the indicators which determine the agricultural development of Kongu Uplands and examine the spatial analysis of regional disparities in agricultural developments.The investigation of the study have been carried out by transforming and merging data associated to several variable, like percentage of agricultural workers to total workers, percentage of net sown area to total geographical area, percentage of net irrigated area to net sown area, percentage of irrigation to the net irrigated area, percentage of irrigation to the net irrigated area, cropping intensities etc. Adopted Z - score technique to obtain composite score, development of blocks have been categorized into five categories i.e., Very high, high, moderate, low and very low. The result shows that most of the blocks in the study area belongs to moderate and low level of agricultural development.

Keywords: Agricultural development, G- Retun data, Cropping intensity, Z - score technique.

Introduction Agricultural development is multidimensional concepts. Agricultural development is a base for the economic development of any region. It is a one of the indicators of regional development and internal productions. Agricultural progress is necessary to provide food for growing non-agricultural labour force, raw materials for industrial sectors and saving and tax revenue to support development of the other economy, to obtain overseas exchange and to provide a growing market for internal productions. The agriculture sector is the backbone of an Indian economy which provides the basic ingredients to mankind and now raw material for industrialization. Agriculture is a base for employment opportunities for rural people on a huge scale. The spatial patterns of agricultural distribution and development are associated with different socio, economic and cultural factors. Agricultural activities largely depend on the resources of their close natural endowments which can be alterlely only at a heavy cost. Therefore, understanding the spatial differences in the level of agricultural development and creating their relationships with abiotic and biotic variables are necessary. The techniques of mapping of spatial characteristics of the level of agricultural disparity provides a sensible base for future arrangement of agricultural planning. It can be used as an active way for delimiting the regions, where even agrarian mechanization could not bring about significant changes and modification in crop structure and agricultural production, and which may thereby be termed as areas of weakness. A good scientific enquiry and evaluation of different dimension of development is highly necessary in order to have a clear picture of the nature of agricultural development. Keeping these facts in view, spatial disparity in the level of agricultural development is studied in Kongu Uplands of Tamil Nadu to arise a vibrant base for future agricultural planning.

Study Area Kongu Uplands is a semi-arid region situated in the western part of Tamil Nadu. The study area covers an area of about 26,000 km2. This study area is approximately one fifth of the total geographical area of Tamil Nadu.It lies between 10°16’N to 12°27’N latitudes and 76°40’E to 79°45’E Longitudes. It falls in west to the Kolli hill, east to the Nilgiri hill, above the hill and below the Stanley reservoir. The average elevation of Uplands is 450 metres in the west and 200 metres in the east.This region is unique in the ways of agriculture, industries and services. The region covers the districts of , , Tiruppur and parts of Salem, Namakkal, , Karur and Tiruchirappalli with eighty one blocks. It is one of the densely populated industrial regions in Tamil Nadu. The major rivers drained in this region are the tributaries of Cauvery viz; Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravati. Research Paper IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 321 [ VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 2 I APRIL – JUNE 2018] E ISSN 2348 –1269, PRINT ISSN 2349-5138 Figure 1. Study Area

Objective The main objectives of this study are to identify the indicators which determine the agricultural development of Kongu Uplands and examine the spatial analysis of regional disparities in agricultural developments.

Methodology The delineation of spatial pattern of level of agricultural development is based on selected important indicators. These indicators are collected from District Census Hand book (2011 and 2011), Economic and Statistical Departments and G-return data from concerns districts. The block level has been taken as a unit for analysis. The natural boundary of the study area has been demarcated from 1:2, 50,000 and Aster DEM with 30 metres and block map were digitized from District Census Hand book 2011. In order to study the spatial pattern of overall agricultural development Composite Z-Score techniquehas been employed. Selection of some set of variables in Z-Score analysis delivers a strong basis to attain a more significant conclusion on spatial variation of agricultural development. The Z-Score is got by the following formula. Xi – mean Zi = ------S. D.

th Where Zi = Standard score of the I observation XI= Original value of the observation X-= Mean for all values of X S. D. = Standard Deviation of X The resultant outcome have been represented with the help of maps through ArcGIS software 10.1.

Development Indicators Used Composite index for agricultural development is constructed with the help of 13 indicators that reflect the many aspect of agricultural development. The following variables are taken for the study. 322 IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews Research Paper [VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 2 I APRIL – JUNE 2018] e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138 http://ijrar.com/ Cosmos Impact Factor 4.236

X1 – Percentage of net area sown to total geographical area X2 – Percentage of net irrigated area to net area sown X3 – Number of agricultural credit society X4 – Percentage of cultivators to total workers X5 – Percentage of agricultural labourer to total workers X6 – Number of agricultural marketing X7 – Number of agricultural power supply X8 – percentage of total irrigated area X9 – Number of veterinary hospitals X10 – Cropping intensity X11 – Irrigation intensity X12– Rural population to total population X13 – Percentage area cultivated more than once Results and Discussion Spatial Pattern of Agricultural Development The demarcation of spatial pattern of level of agricultural development is based on some appropriate indicators. Kongu Uplands is located the western parts of Tamil Nadu and eastern parts of Western Ghats and it has scope for agricultural development. Though Uplands situated on the south and south west of Cauvery River, shows remarkable disparities in the levels of agricultural development. , not uniform in all blocks of the Uplands of Tamil Nadu. In the Uplands, there is a spatial variation in the level of agricultural development. The different blocks of the study area characterized by varying of development due to the diversity in physical, cultural, social, economic and other factors. In order to analysis the spatial patterns of overall agricultural developments composite of Z - score techniques has been adopted. Selection of indicators provides a strong basis to attain more accurate conclusion on spatial pattern of agricultural development. Table 1. Z-Score at Block Level for Agricultural Development in Kongu Uplands Names of the Block ZX1 ZX2 ZX3 ZX4 ZX5 ZX6 ZX7 ZX8 ZX9 ZX10 ZX11 ZX12 Z13 Karamadai -0.51 -0.72 0.15 0.59 -0.35 0.59 -0.01 -0.29 1.00 0.74 -0.86 -0.92 0.86 Madukkarai 0.06 -0.82 -0.44 0.00 -1.23 -0.52 -0.26 -0.47 -1.50 1.03 -0.69 -0.69 0.55 Periyanaickenpalayam -1.62 -1.94 -0.29 -0.29 -1.85 0.22 -1.57 -1.71 -1.25 1.26 -0.82 -0.77 0.59 Sarkarsamakulam -1.21 -0.93 -0.14 -0.29 -1.73 0.77 -1.96 -2.09 -1.25 0.88 -0.86 -0.85 1.18 Thondamuthur -1.28 0.63 -0.29 -0.29 -1.35 -1.01 -0.49 -0.62 -1.00 0.86 -0.47 -0.38 1.18 Anaimalai -1.98 1.39 0.30 -0.29 -0.60 0.77 2.54 2.34 -0.25 0.00 0.10 -0.38 1.23 Kinathukadavu -0.28 -0.07 -0.29 -0.29 -0.35 0.83 1.01 0.69 0.75 0.98 -0.71 -0.77 0.82 Pollachi North -1.67 0.26 -0.14 0.29 0.28 0.85 1.21 0.87 0.75 1.29 -0.73 -0.77 1.32 Pollachi South -1.40 0.16 0.15 0.29 0.53 -0.32 0.01 -0.21 0.25 0.16 -0.65 -0.62 1.32 Annur -0.31 -0.70 0.15 -0.29 0.15 0.13 -0.41 -0.66 1.75 -0.09 -0.86 -0.85 -0.27 Sulur -1.44 -2.25 -0.29 0.00 -1.23 -0.57 -1.11 -1.30 -0.75 0.19 -0.86 -0.85 0.05 Sulthanpet 0.38 -0.28 0.74 0.00 0.02 2.32 -0.04 -0.32 -0.25 0.92 -0.86 -0.85 1.36 Dindigul -1.20 -0.50 -0.29 -0.29 -1.35 -0.20 -0.75 -0.96 -1.00 -1.21 -0.81 -0.77 -0.36 -0.28 1.42 0.01 -0.29 0.90 -1.65 2.15 2.03 -0.25 1.50 0.23 -0.23 1.18 Ottanchattiram 2.02 0.71 0.30 0.00 -0.10 0.26 1.30 0.97 2.25 -1.75 -0.69 -0.77 0.91 -0.02 0.09 0.30 -0.29 0.28 0.35 -0.50 -0.72 0.25 -0.09 -0.81 -0.77 -0.45 Thoppampatti 2.31 0.24 0.30 -0.29 0.02 -0.32 3.50 2.98 3.25 0.96 -0.76 -0.77 -0.09 Guziliamparai 0.44 1.16 -0.14 -0.29 -0.23 -0.29 -0.65 -0.88 0.75 2.74 -0.84 -0.85 -0.50 Vadamadurai -0.25 1.43 -0.58 -0.29 -0.35 -0.14 -0.19 -0.39 1.00 -0.23 -0.62 -0.62 -0.64 Reddiarchattiram -0.21 1.87 0.15 0.00 -0.10 -0.14 1.07 0.79 0.50 -0.12 -0.56 -0.62 -0.45 Shanarpatti -1.10 1.07 0.74 8.50 1.28 -0.91 0.14 -0.01 1.25 0.81 -0.37 -0.38 -0.77 -1.54 1.37 0.30 0.00 -0.10 0.30 0.05 -0.19 -1.00 0.42 -0.70 -0.69 -0.23 Perundurai 0.20 -0.78 -0.44 -0.29 0.02 1.40 0.49 0.29 -0.25 0.40 -0.46 -0.54 -0.05 Modakkurichi 0.39 -0.12 0.15 0.29 0.40 -0.99 1.56 1.29 0.75 0.25 -0.42 -0.62 1.18 Anthiyur 0.79 0.50 -0.14 0.00 -0.85 1.83 -0.28 -0.32 -0.25 0.41 -0.14 0.00 0.18 Chennimalai 0.42 -0.80 -0.29 0.00 0.28 -0.28 -1.06 -1.16 -1.25 -0.89 -0.53 -0.31 0.73 Gobichettipalayam -0.12 0.37 -0.14 0.29 0.28 0.33 1.31 1.57 1.50 -0.16 1.31 0.54 1.05 Bhavani -0.49 0.30 -0.29 0.29 -0.48 -1.96 -0.11 -0.27 -0.25 -0.98 -0.46 -0.46 1.59 Ammapet 0.27 1.45 -0.29 0.59 -0.23 -0.35 0.44 0.43 0.25 -0.33 0.14 0.00 0.86 Bhavanisagar 0.21 -0.54 0.45 0.00 0.65 -0.66 -0.95 -1.03 0.25 -0.62 -0.43 -0.15 0.09 Erode -0.59 -0.76 -0.14 -0.29 -0.35 1.07 -1.41 -1.45 -1.75 1.35 -0.41 0.23 1.68 Kodumudi 1.78 0.93 -0.29 -0.29 -0.73 -0.52 -0.02 0.02 -1.75 1.09 0.21 0.23 1.73 Nambiyur 1.37 -0.30 0.15 0.59 0.15 -0.57 0.43 0.35 0.50 -1.14 -0.07 -0.15 -0.55 Thoockanaickenpalayam -0.54 1.80 -0.14 0.00 -0.98 -1.17 -0.47 -0.30 -0.50 -0.21 0.53 0.85 1.41 Research Paper IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 323 [ VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 2 I APRIL – JUNE 2018] E ISSN 2348 –1269, PRINT ISSN 2349-5138 Sathyamangalam 0.22 1.14 -0.58 -0.29 0.02 -1.41 0.20 -0.04 -0.50 -1.15 -0.69 -0.69 0.50 K.Paramathi 1.46 -0.07 0.60 0.29 1.90 -1.21 -0.04 -0.31 1.25 -0.30 -0.82 -0.77 -0.09 Thanthoni 0.53 -0.28 0.15 -0.29 -0.23 0.45 -0.78 -0.98 -0.25 0.12 -0.79 -0.77 -0.09 Aravakurichi 0.76 0.50 0.15 0.29 0.15 0.97 -0.48 -0.72 0.00 0.98 -0.86 -0.85 0.32 Karur -0.77 0.43 0.01 0.29 -0.48 -0.09 -0.81 -1.03 0.50 0.48 -0.85 -0.85 2.23 Kadavur 0.85 1.45 0.01 -0.29 -0.10 -1.44 -0.85 -1.06 -0.25 -0.25 -0.86 -0.85 -0.32 Krishnarayapuram -0.26 1.59 0.30 0.88 0.65 -0.16 0.24 0.29 0.75 -0.19 0.32 0.23 -0.41 Elaichipalayam 0.64 -0.39 0.45 0.00 1.15 -0.59 0.61 0.96 0.75 0.92 1.45 1.00 -1.82 Erumaipatti 0.74 0.04 -0.14 0.29 0.15 -0.86 -0.33 -0.20 -0.75 -0.98 0.41 0.62 -0.05 Kabilarmalai 1.54 0.68 -0.14 0.00 0.65 3.75 0.49 0.73 0.50 -0.25 1.03 0.69 0.50 Mallasamudram 1.15 0.10 0.01 -0.29 0.65 0.72 0.23 0.69 0.25 -0.19 1.68 1.46 -1.59 Mohanur 0.60 0.58 0.15 0.59 0.90 0.46 -0.19 -0.23 2.00 1.60 -0.09 0.00 -0.05 Namakkal 0.03 -0.68 -0.44 0.59 -0.23 0.23 -1.33 -1.45 0.75 -0.42 -0.67 -0.46 -1.14 Puduchatram 0.37 0.07 -0.44 0.00 -0.48 1.66 0.04 0.60 1.50 -1.37 1.97 1.92 -1.59 Paramathi 1.27 0.41 -0.14 -0.29 0.40 0.33 -0.05 -0.04 0.25 -1.59 0.10 0.15 -0.91 Pallipalayam -1.04 -1.80 -0.29 -0.29 -1.10 -1.37 0.22 0.29 -1.00 0.44 0.37 0.31 0.23 -0.61 0.04 -0.14 0.59 0.40 0.56 -0.40 0.26 0.25 -1.87 2.19 2.77 -1.41 Senthamangalam -0.21 0.41 -0.14 -0.29 -0.60 -0.14 -0.21 0.29 -0.75 -0.73 1.71 1.92 -0.59 Tiruchengode 0.14 -1.34 1.19 0.88 1.90 0.61 1.42 1.80 0.25 0.67 1.74 0.77 -1.14 Vennanthur 0.14 0.02 -0.14 0.00 0.65 -0.13 -0.71 -0.25 0.50 0.51 1.45 2.38 -0.82 Idappady -0.32 0.68 -0.58 -0.29 -1.23 0.18 1.17 2.10 -0.50 0.72 3.50 2.08 -1.45 Sankari -0.02 0.17 0.30 -0.29 1.15 -0.07 1.34 1.64 0.25 0.00 1.48 0.69 -0.59 Konganapuram -0.37 0.30 -0.29 -0.29 -1.35 -0.99 -0.07 0.50 -1.00 -1.31 1.99 2.08 -1.36 Mac.Donal Choultry -0.58 -0.44 -0.14 -0.29 -1.23 0.59 -0.34 -0.08 -1.25 1.68 0.90 1.15 -1.50 Kolathur 0.55 1.32 -0.58 0.29 -1.10 -0.03 -0.11 0.12 -1.25 -2.35 0.85 0.92 -0.64 Kadayampatti 0.32 0.65 -0.29 0.00 0.28 -0.08 0.71 1.14 1.00 0.44 1.71 1.15 -1.00 Tharamangalam 0.19 -1.32 -0.29 0.00 -0.73 -2.01 -0.29 0.19 -1.00 -1.62 1.64 2.00 -1.64 Salem -2.01 -2.67 -0.29 0.29 -1.60 0.33 -1.72 -1.64 -1.50 0.56 -0.10 1.62 -0.32 Veerapandi -0.32 -1.28 -0.29 0.00 1.40 -1.34 -0.41 0.01 -0.75 -0.69 1.71 2.38 -1.50 Panamarathupatti 0.16 -0.25 0.15 -0.29 0.78 1.32 -1.16 -1.02 -1.25 1.16 1.23 1.23 -0.77 Nangavalli -0.67 -0.88 -0.44 -0.29 -1.35 -0.32 -0.41 -0.19 -1.25 0.95 1.00 1.00 -1.27 Mecheri 0.78 -0.55 -0.29 0.29 -0.10 1.07 -0.17 -0.06 0.50 -1.55 0.46 0.46 -1.36 Omalur -1.17 -0.50 0.60 0.59 2.90 0.08 0.15 0.47 2.00 -0.13 1.08 1.08 -0.95 Thottiam -0.65 1.72 0.15 0.59 0.65 0.65 0.10 -0.19 0.25 -1.09 -0.85 -0.85 0.05 Vellakoil 0.60 -0.18 0.01 -0.29 -0.85 -1.45 -2.05 -0.03 0.25 -1.44 -0.69 -0.69 0.50 Udumalpet -0.73 1.07 1.19 0.00 3.28 -0.72 2.74 2.54 1.75 -1.13 -0.38 -0.38 1.41 Avinashi -0.30 -0.95 0.15 0.59 1.03 -1.26 -0.11 -0.35 1.75 -0.91 -0.77 -0.77 -0.68 Gudimangalam -0.20 1.07 0.45 0.29 0.53 0.79 1.27 0.89 2.75 1.27 -0.85 -0.85 1.59 Mulanur 2.71 0.53 0.01 -0.29 -0.35 0.82 -0.26 -0.52 -0.25 0.85 -0.85 -0.85 -0.14 Thiruppur -1.21 -2.14 -0.29 -0.29 -1.35 0.65 -1.34 -1.51 -0.75 1.07 -0.85 -0.85 -0.77 Pongalur 0.37 -0.27 1.04 0.00 -0.48 1.53 -0.27 -0.53 0.50 0.63 -0.85 -0.85 1.09 Madathukulam 0.02 0.56 -0.44 -0.29 -1.10 -0.89 0.27 0.14 -0.25 0.20 -0.31 -0.31 1.64 Dharapuram 1.14 0.23 0.45 0.29 0.40 -0.26 0.79 0.45 -0.50 -0.82 -0.85 -0.85 1.50 Kundadam 2.57 0.07 0.45 -0.29 1.15 0.36 0.09 -0.19 0.75 -0.01 -0.85 -0.85 0.82 Kangeyam 1.12 -0.82 0.01 0.29 -0.10 1.48 -0.62 -0.82 -0.75 -1.55 -0.69 -0.69 0.18 Palladam -1.53 -1.97 -0.14 0.00 -0.35 -1.36 -1.04 -1.24 -0.75 -0.57 -0.85 -0.85 -0.23 Uthukuli -0.58 -1.60 -0.29 0.00 2.65 -0.86 -0.49 -0.73 -0.50 -1.22 -0.85 -0.85 -1.77 Source: Computed by Author from Census Hand book, Economical and Statistical Hand Book & G-Return Data) Table 2. Level of Agricultural Development in Block wise Categories No. of Blocks Name of Block Thoppampatti, Udumalpet, Shanarpatti, Kabilarmalai, like Gudimangalam, Tiruchengode Very high 7 and Gobichettipalayam Palani, Mohanur, Omalur, Sankari, Idappady, Kadayampatti, Ottanchattiram, Anaimalai, High 9 Elaichipalayam Mallasamudram, Puduchatram, Krishnarayapuram, Modakkurichi, Kundadam, Pollachi North, Vennanthur, Ammapet, Sulthanpet, Rasipuram, Kodumudi, Kinathukadavu, Moderate 27 Reddiarchattiram, Dharapuram, Pongalur, K.Paramathi, Anthiyur, Mulanur, Aravakurichi, Nambiyur, Senthamangalam, Thottiam, Guziliamparai, Panamarathupatti, Thoockanaickenpalayam, Karamadai, Perundurai Paramathi, Pollachi South, Mecheri, Madathukulam, Karur, Erumaipatti, Veerapandi, Mac.Donal Choultry, Vadamadurai, Kolathur, Athoor, Konganapuram, Annur, Vedasandur, Low 26 Avinashi, Bhavanisagar, Erode, Kangeyam, Thanthoni, Sathyamangalam, Bhavani, Kadavur, Nangavalli, Thondamuthur, Tharamangalam, Madukkarai, Pallipalayam Chennimalai, Namakkal, Vellakoil, Uthukuli, Sarkarsamakulam, Salem, Thiruppur, Very Low 11 Dindigul, Periyanaickenpalayam, Sulur and Palladam Source: Computed by Author 324 IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews Research Paper [VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 2 I APRIL – JUNE 2018] e ISSN 2348 –1269, Print ISSN 2349-5138 http://ijrar.com/ Cosmos Impact Factor 4.236 Very High Agricultural Development It can be observed from the table that there are 7 blocks which have scored very high positive values on composite scores showing the practice of good cultivation due to better irrigation facilities and cropping intensities. Some of the blocks like Thoppampatti, Udumalpet, Shanarpatti, and Kabilarmalaiare owing to good cultivators, agricultural labours, better agricultural credit societies, availability of power supply to agriculture has played a significant part in the development of agriculture in these blocks. Besides veterinary hospitals, rural population, there are a number of other factors which have helped very high agricultural development in these blocks. The blocks like Gudimangalam, Tiruchengode and Gobichettipalayam are also exhibiting very high agricultural development. High Agricultural Development High level of agricultural development is noticed in 9 blocks of the Kongu Uplands. These blocks are Palani, Mohanur, Omalur, Sankari, Idappady, Kadayampatti, Ottanchattiram, Anaimalai, and Elaichipalayam having high composite indices of agriculture development. These blocks are endowed with high irrigation intensity, cropping intensity, much larger proportion of net sown area under irrigation, high share of cultivators, high share agricultural labours and good availability of agricultural credit societies and agricultural power supply. Moderate Agricultural Development This category covers widely spread 27 blocks. These are Mallasamudram, Puduchatram, Krishnarayapuram, Modakkurichi, Kundadam, Pollachi North, Vennanthur, Ammapet, Thottiam, Figure 2. levels of Agricultural Development

Sulthanpet, Rasipuram, Kodumudi, Kinathukadavu, Reddiarchattiram, Dharapuram, Pongalur, K.Paramathi, Anthiyur, Mulanur, Aravakurichi, Nambiyur, Senthamangalam, Thottiam, Guziliamparai, Panamarathupatti, Thoockanaickenpalayam, Karamadai, and Perundurai which are moderately endowed with irrigation Research Paper IJRAR- International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews 325 [ VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 2 I APRIL – JUNE 2018] E ISSN 2348 –1269, PRINT ISSN 2349-5138 facilities, consumption of fertilizers, cultivators, agricultural labours, moderate agricultural credit societies, availability of power supply to agriculture. These blocks stands good chances for further improvement in their level of agricultural development if provided above said variables in sufficient manner. Low Agricultural Development The low level of agricultural development category have as many as 26 blocks Uplands regions of Tamil Nadu. They are Paramathi, Pollachi South, Mecheri, Madathukulam, Erumaipatti, Veerapandi, Mac.Donal Choultry, Vadamadurai, Kolathur, Athoor, Konganapuram, Annur, Vedasandur, Avinashi, Bhavanisagar, Erode, Kangeyam, Thanthoni, Sathyamangalam, Bhavani, Kadavur, Nangavalli, Thondamuthur, Tharamangalam, Madukkarai and Pallipalayam. This is due to the inadequacy agricultural development factors. Very Low Agricultural Development In this category, we noticed 11 blocks of the Uplands. These are Chennimalai,Namakkal, Vellakoil, Uthukuli, Sarkarsamakulam, Salem,Thiruppur, Dindigul,mPeriyanaickenpalayam, Sulur and Palladam. This is because of inadequate irrigation facilities, lack of cultivators, agricultural labours, low cropping intensity, and low irrigation intensity so on. Conclusion This study reveals that there is a regional deviation is prevailing in Kongu Uplands of Tamil Nadu in respect of agricultural development. Regional unevenness in agricultural development leads to the under development of agriculture in the study area. The study exhibits that the majority of the blocks of Uplands fall under the moderate to low category of levels agricultural development covering the central, north, north west and east of the region. Regional disparities in agricultural development are due to spatial variations in the accessibility or lacks of Percentage of net area sown to total geographical area, Percentage of net irrigated area to net area sown, Number of agricultural credit society, Percentage of cultivators to total workers, Percentage of agricultural labourer to total workers, Number of agricultural marketing, Number of agricultural power supply, Percentage of total irrigated area, Number of veterinary hospitals, Cropping intensity, Irrigation intensity, Rural population to total population and Percentage area cultivated more than once. Providing of agricultural input sideways with the development of elementary infrastructure will help to develop of agriculture. However, in blocks which have low level of agricultural development, want different attention to irrigation facilities developed like tube well, canal irrigation etc., awareness of agricultural technical knowledge so on. So the level of agricultural development possibly will be raised up.

Acknowledgement The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received from the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Basic Scientific Research Fellowship. The authors also sincerely thank Dr. Jegankumar R., Assistant Professor and Head; Mr.Venkatesan M., and Mr. Shyju K., UGC-BSR Research Scholars, Department of Geography, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli for their continuous technical support and valuable suggestions in completion of this work.

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