Sampling and Methodology

Abstract

Tamil Nadu has been classified into five agro climatic zones. The zone wise data on area underirrigated as well as unirrigated cotton were collected for 5 years (1998–2003). Then the zones were ranked on the basis of area under cotton under irrigated and unirrigated condition. Under irrigated cotton, zone V was chosen. Under unirrigated cotton, zone III high intensity of irrigation was selected. Among the districts in the selected zones, the district with maximum area under cotton was chosen for the in-depth study. Accordingly Salem district in Zone V and Perambalur district in Zone III were selected. Moreover, the data on the distribution of Bt cotton in each district of the State were also collected and ranked. Based on the concentration of Bt cotton area, Salem and Perambalur districts occupied I & II position. Therefore, these districts were chosen for the in-depth study.