AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION IN TAMIL NADU UNDER RESOURCE AND CLIMATE CONSTRAINTS: A DECADAL PERSPECTIVE ON GROWTH, POLICY, AND FUTURE PATHWAYS

Agriculture in Tamil Nadu has undergone significant structural change over the past decade amid increasing pressure from climate variability, water scarcity, and land constraints. Although the sector’s relative contribution to the state economy has declined, it continues to play a critical role in rural livelihoods, food and nutritional security, and allied sector development. Growth during the period has been driven largely by productivity improvements, higher cropping intensity, and diversification towards horticulture, livestock, and fisheries rather than expansion of cultivated area. Important technological and structural shifts are evident in the adoption of improved crop varieties, mechanisation, integrated farming systems, and emerging digital interventions. The policy landscape has also evolved, marked by the introduction of a dedicated Agriculture Budget and a stronger emphasis on farmer welfare and income security. At the same time, persistent challenges related to climate change, groundwater depletion, land fragmentation, labour shortages, and market volatility continue to constrain inclusive growth. The chapter outlines future pathways centred on sustainable intensification, climate-smart agriculture, value addition, and