www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org ADOPTION OF RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AMIDST PADDY FARMERS OF CAUVERY DELTA ZONE IN TAMIL NADU P. R. PRASIDHA 1 & M. ASOKHAN 2 1 Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India 2 Deputy Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India ABSTRACT Paddy farming is the main vocation of farmers in Cauvery delta agro climatic zone of TamilNadu. Rice is the staple food of TamilNadu, paddy cultivation not only ensures food security, but also is an important commercial farm activity. Thiruvarur, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam were selected as the study locations owing to its prominence due to the presence of Cauvery water irrigation. The risks faced by farmers were categorized into credit, cultivation and marketing risks. Based on the discussion with scientists, extensionists and progressive farmers, common strategies adopted by farmers to manage credit, cultivation and marketing risks were identified. Responses were collected from the farmers to measure adoption and percentage analysis of the same was carried out to arrive at the finding. Further the adoption score was correlated with profile characteristics and the results are tabulated in this study. KEYWORDS: Credit, Cultivation, Marketing & Risk Management Received: May 22, 2019; Accepted: Jun 12, 2019; Published: Jun 17, 2019; Paper Id.: IJASRAUG201914 INTRODUCTION Agriculture in Tamil Nadu is mainly dependent on the quantum of monsoon rainfall (both south west and north east). These monsoon rains coupled with a comfortable storage maintained in the major reservoirs ensure the uniform distribution and timely availability of irrigation water for rice farming in Tamil Nadu. Of the seven agro-ecological zones of Tamil Nadu, Cauvery delta zone is the major rice belt of this state, owing to its assured irrigation for rice farming. However, the vagaries of monsoon resulting in frequent drought and flood results in failure of farming. This situation is further accentuated by the delayed release of Cauvery water. According to Cauvery delta farmers, Cauvery is not just a river, it is a cultural heritage. The uncertainty over cultivation would drive younger generation away from agriculture. Ultimately, it would affect the farming community, both in terms of economics and culture. Cauvery delta system is the most extensive irrigation systems of Tamil Nadu. Cauvery delta districts regularly receives irrigation water for rice cultivation from Mettur reservoir. The cultivation pattern in the delta region has been largely influenced by the time and quantity of water released from Mettur reservoir. According to the water regulation rules, the water is released for irrigation from Mettur reservoir on 12th June every year provided the water level in the reservoir is around 70 feet. In normal years the farmers cultivate two rice crops in a year, one from June to September – October called Kuruvai crop, followed by medium duration rice from September -October to February called Thaladi. In double crop wetlands farmers raise rice-fallow pulses in January- February. In certain lands known as single crop wetlands, only one long duration rice called Samba is Original Article International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research (IJASR) ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087 Vol. 9, Issue 4, Aug 2019, 101-106 © TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.