Agriculture in kozhikode

Kozhikode district has a rich heritage in agriculture as it was a port city famous for pepper & species trade. Agriculture plays a major role in the district economy.
The total geographical area of the district is 2,33,330 hectares in which the net area sown is 1,63,932 hectares. The crops like coconut, paddy, banana, tubers and other spices and tree crops are cultivated in 8 major soil series such as Thikkoti series (18400 Ha), Nanminda series (1,20,000 Ha), Kakkodi series (4,500 Ha), Thiruvambady series (43,700 Ha) Kunnamangalam series (6,500 Ha), Adivaram series, Menmala series (16,800 Ha) and Periya series (9,000 Ha)
The district receives an average rain fall of 3000 mm during the months from March to December. The major share of the showers received during the months from June to August is 2000 mm.



Department of Agriculture has following institutions in the district aimed at the development of agriculture.

1. Principal Agricultural Office
Located at Civil station, Kozhikode District level office to supervise and monitor the development activities in the district.

2. Assistant Directors of Agriculture
Located in 12 blocks in the district, to supervise the activities of Krishibhavan in the respective blocks.

3. Krishibhavans
The Department has established Krishibhavans in all 76 panchayats, Kozhikode Corporation and koyilandy and Vadakara municipalities. The main objective of the Krishibhavans is to give all technical guidance to the farmers related to agriculture, and they are officers implementing various schemes at grass roots level.

4. Farmers Training Institute
Regional level institute is situated at Feroke, Kozhikode. The institute was established with an aim to impart training on modern agriculture to the farmers, farm labourers, peoples representatives and personnel of the department of agriculture from Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod.

5. State Agmark Grading Laboratory
Situated at Malaparamba. Established for grading of oils, spices and ghee and to issue AGMARK.

6. District Agricultural Farm
Located at Peruvannamoozhi, about 50 kms. from the city, on the way to Peruvannamoozhi reservoir. Mainly involved in the production and distribution o quality Coconut seedlings, Arecanut seedlings, Cashew grafts, Pepper cuttings, Vegetable seeds, Ornamental Plants, Medicinal Plants, fruit plants etc.

7. State Seed Farm, Perambra
Located at Perambra, 30 Kms. away from the city. Main objective of the farm is to produce paddy and vegetable seeds.

8. State Seed Farm, Puthuppady
Situated at Puthuppady. Involved in the production of paddy and vegetable seeds.

9. Coconut Nursery, Thikkoti
Located by the side of NH 47, at Thikkoti, involved in the production of coconut seedlings, vegetable seeds, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, fruit plants and pepper cuttings.

10. Parasite Breeding Station
Located at Thikkoti. Main objective is to multiply the natural enemies of various crop pests.

11. Soil Testing Lab and Mobile Soil Testing Lab
Soil testing lab is also located at Thikkoti. Main job of the lab is to analyse the soil samples and to give suitable recommendation for improving soil fertility. The soil samples are collected through Krishibhavans and through campaigns conducted by mobile soil testing lab at various panchayats.

12. Urban Wholesale Vegetable Market
Located at Vengeri. Established with financial assistance from European Economic Community for wholesale pooling and distribution of vegetables within the State.

13. Farm Information Bureau
Situated at Vellimadukunnu. Farm Information Bureau is the official spokesman of the department of agriculture in the State. Publishes fortnightly magazine named “Kerala Karshakan” which gives all information in the field of agriculture.