ISBN: - 978-93-88936-09-5 the rubber area were decline due to the natural calamities (heavy rain) also affect the total production are 844000 tonnes and 645000 tonnes respectively. • The tapped area of rubber has gradually increased from 400713 hectares in 2001-02 to 521653 hectares in the year 20014-15. The significant difference among the variables of NR in India are identified Total Area (ha), Tapped Area (ha), Production (Tonnes) and Average yield/ha (kg) as the respective “T” statistics are statistically significant at 5 per cent level of significance. • During the study period, from 2001-02 to 2014-15 all the years except 2002-03, 2003-04, 200506, 2013-14 and 2014-15, the balance of trade is negative, because of imports exceeds exports. • As per the country wise export information of Natural Rubber during the study period from 2001-02 to 2014-15, the leading export market of Natural rubber are China, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Spain, Pakistan, Singapore and Nepal. In 2011-12, export of NR decreased to 27,145 MT as compared to 29,851 MT in 2010-11. • Rubber cultivation in India has been traditionally confined to the hinterlands of southwest coast, mainly in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Kerala and Tamil Nadu together constitute the traditional rubber growing regions in the country. Kerala alone contributes 89 per cent of the total rubber produced in India and an area of 534,228 ha is under rubber. Tamil Nadu contributes another 3 per cent of the total natural rubber production. • The North‐Eastern region contributes upto 5 per cent of the total production, while Karnataka contributes 3 per cent. An area of 113,685 ha is covered by rubber plantations in the north‐eastern region. • The major crop in and around Kanyakumari is rubber. The paddy area and coconut garden have been converted into rubber estates. Because the climatic condition and soil conditions in Kulasekharam and Thovalaitaluk are suitable for good quality of rubber, water which is very important for the growth of rubber is available in these areas throughout the year. 6.2 (B) Findings related to cultivation or growers: • The majority of the sample growers in the Kanyakumari district belong to the age group 30-40.The calculated value is (35.4) more than the table value is (3.84). Hence, the hypothesis is rejected. Therefore, there is significant relationship between the age wise classifications in the three selected taluks. • The total respondents are 300 of which male respondents are 70 per cent (210) and female respondents are only 30 per cent (90). The Majority of the respondents are male. They are dominating NR cultivation. The calculated value is (48.6) more than the table value (3.84). Hence, the hypothesis is rejected. Therefore, there is significant relationship between the sex wise classifications in the three selected taluks. 156
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