Decade-wise Assessment on Growth and Instability of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Solanum melongena L. is one of the most commercially significant vegetable crops in Tamil Nadu. This study examines the decade-wise growth performance and instability of brinjal area, production, and productivity in Tamil Nadu over 24 years (2001-02 to 2024-25) using Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and the Coefficient of Variation (CV%). The overall period registered positive CAGRs of +3.13%, +5.21%, and +2.01% for area, production, and productivity, respectively. Decade-wise analysis revealed a shift in growth pattern: while Decade 1 (2001-02 to 2010-11) showed balanced growth across all three dimensions (area: +2.43%, production: +10.41%, productivity: +7.78%), Decade 2 (2011-12 to 2020-21) registered the highest area expansion of +8.49% but a productivity decline of -3.05%, suggesting an area-driven rather than technology-driven growth phase. The partial Decade 3 (2021-22 to 2024-25) showed contraction in area (-5.47%) and production (-4.66%), with marginal productivity recovery (+0.85%). Instability analysis revealed high instability in area (CV = 37.87%) and production (CV = 48.14%), with moderate instability in productivity (CV = 22.78%). A noticeable shift in growth pattern from persistent below-mean performance before 2009 to sustained above-mean performance from 2015-16 onwards is identified. Policy interventions targeting productivity enhancement and price stabilisation are needed to ensure sustainable brinjal cultivation in Tamil Nadu.