ABSTRACT
The present study examines the growth actions of area, production and yield of selected cereal crops in the Tamil Nadu state. Using the data from 1993-94 to 2007-08, the Compound Growth Rate (CGR) of area, production and yield for the selected cereal crops in the Tamil Nadu state were estimated for each period to study the growth performance of area of cultivation, production and yield of these crops. In Tamil Nadu state, the paddy holds good performances in absolute terms, among the other cereal crops are concerned. But the compound growth rate reveals that the maize was found to be positive and records a highest growth rate among other cereal corps in terms of area of cultivation, production and yield in Tamil Nadu over the study period. Despite the fact that maize was found to acquire highest in terms of growth actions of area of cultivation, production and yield among other cereal crops, it cannot serve the purpose of livelihood for majority of the population in Tamil Nadu state. Hence, the importance had given to the paddy cultivations. Besides, the study suggests that the farmers can also cultivate maize for the money-making purpose in the Tamil Nadu state that suits for the climatic conditions of the state as well.