AREA PROFILE OF KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

4.1. Area Profile

Kanyakumari is the southern most district of the peninsular India, the

seventh largest country in the world. In Kanyakumari, the Indian ocean, the

Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal embrace one another. Kanyakumari district

comprises of four taluks of the erstwhile Travancore Cochin state. The present

Kanyakumari district was formed on the first of November 1956, as a result of

the reorganization of states on linguistic basis.

This district is the smallest in the state of Tamil Nadu (with the

exception of the district of Madras) lying at the southern most tip of the

country. As in the case of the rest of the districts in the state of Tamil Nadu, the

economy of this district is also agriculture - based. However, it is endowed

with a lovely coastline and rich mineral resources like ilmenite and retile.

Kanyakumri district is named after the goddess, “Kanyakumari”. The

district headquarters is at Nagercoil, endowed with all kinds of natural

resources from land, sea, forest, and mountains. This district is by nature and

heritage, predominantly agrarian with 68 percent of the land utilized for

agricultural purposes. This district is blessed with its vast stretches of green

paddy fields, rich forests, coconut groves and coast line. This district has a

coastline of about 68 km. There are minor ports in the district at colachel,

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Thengaipattinam, Manakudy, Kovalam, Leepuram and Marthandam. The total

area of the district is 1685 sq.kms. The district is divided in to two Revenue

Divisions. They are Padmanabapuram, with the head quarters at Thuckalay and

Nagercoil with the head quarters at Nagercoil.1

4.2. History

During the centuries when the district was under the rule of Travancore

Maharaj, there was great oppression of the lower caste who constituted the

majority of the population in the district. Their plight during these times and

their liberation from the oppressive treatment of the higher caste is very

significant. After independence, people’s movement demanded the merger of

the district with Tamil Nadu, based on the recommendations of the states

Reorganization Act in March 1956. According to which, four taluks namely

Kalkulam, Vilavancode, Thovalai, and Agastheeswaram were grouped to from

the New Kanyakumari District in November 1, 1956. Kanyakumari District of

Tamil Nadu State came in to existence with Nagercoil as its head quarters. The

head quarters of the four Taluks and their areas are furnished in Table 4.1

Table 4.1
Taluk Profile with in Kanyakumari District

S.No. Taluk Head Quarters Area

1 Vilavancode Kuzhithurai 431 sq. km
2 Kalkulam Thuckalay 607 sq. km
3 Thovalai Bhoothapandy 359 sq. km
4 Agastheeswaram Nagercoil 276 sq. km
Source: District statistical Hand Book

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 These four taluks consist of 81 villages. There are eighty village

panchayats, sixty six town panchayats, nine panchayat unions and four

municipalities. It has seven assembly constituencies and one parliamentary

constituency.2

4.3. Location and Geographical Area

Kanyakumari District is bound by Tirunelveli District on the North and

the east. The South Eastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar. On the South and

the South West, the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. On

the West and North West it is bound by Kerala.

4.4. Climate

Kanyakumari District has a favorable agro-climatic condition, which is

suitable for growing a number of crops. The proximity of equator, its

topography and other climate factors favour the growth of various crops as

well. There is distinct variation in the climatic conditions prevailing within the

district. The general climate of the district is pleasant. Both Southwest and

North- east monsoons greatly influence the climate of the region besides the

proximity of the sea and the dwindling heights of the Western Ghats. The

pleasant climate, is the advantages physiographic combined with fertile soil,

fair distribution of monsoons and the coastline adorn the district and add to its

beauty and prosperity.

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4.5. Rainfall

Normally the period of South West monsoon is from June to September

and North East Monsoon is between October and December. The average

rainfall of the district is 1400 mm per year. The rainfall is generally high in the

main parts of the district.

4.6. Temperature

The temperature which ranges normally between 75.7 degree to 98.7

degree offers good weather condition. It is quite favourable for cultivators.

4.7. Soil Condition

In Kanyakumari district there are three main soil groups. They are

laterite type, which occurs in the blocks of Thiruvattar, Munchirai,

Kurunthancode, Rajakkamangalam, Killioor, Thuckalay and Melpuram. The

mixed type of red loam and coastal alluvial soil is found in Agasteeswaram and

Thovalai blocks.

4.8. Agriculture

The total area of land under cultivation has been estimated at

109000 hectares in the district. Thus agriculture is the main occupation of the

people of this district. The important food crops are paddy, pulses, tapioca and

banana whereas coconut, rubber, cashew, Jack, coco, pepper are the major

commercial crops in the district.3

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ͶǤͻǤ‘’—Žƒ–‹‘

In 2011, Kanyakumari had population of 1,870,374 of which male and

female were 926,345 and 944,029 respectively. In 2001 census, Kanyakumari

had a population of 1,676,034 of which males were 832,269 and remaining

843,765 were females.

ͶǤͳͲǤ‡•‹–›

The initial provisional data released by census India 2011, shows that

density of Kanyakumari district for 2011 is 1,111 people per sq. km. In 2001,

Kanyakumari district density was at 995 people per sq. km. Kanyakumari

district administers 1,684 square kilometers of area.

4.11. Sex Ratio

With regards to Sex Ratio in Kanyakumari, it stood at 1019 per 1000

male compared to 2001 census figure of 1014. The average national sex ratio in

India is 940 as per latest reports of Census 2011 Directorate. In 2011 census,

child sex ratio is 964 girls per 1000 boys compared to figure of 968 girls per

1000 boys of 2001 census data.

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 Table 4.2
Area and Population Area, Population, Literates – Sexwise by Blocks

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Source: Census of India 2011

4.12. Language

Kanyakumari is a bilingual state. Tamil and Malayalam are the two

languages spoken in this district, though Tamil is the official language.

4.13. Education

The educational status of this district is very high as compared to other

districts of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari District is one of the (attributing nearly

cent percent literacy in this districts) 100 percent literate districts of India.

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4.14. Electricity

Kanyakumari is one of the districts in the country where almost all the

towns and villages have been electrified. Since this is an industrially backward

district, priority should be given to provide power supply to the new industrial

units. Unless electricity is assured and power is supplied in time to new small

scale industries on a priority basis, growth of industries in the district will not

be satisfactory.5 Kanyakumari district has power generation unit at Kothaiyoor

which is hydro power plant and wind mills at Aralvaimoozhy.

4.15. Banks, Insurance Companies, Post offices and other Institutions

Banks are available in plenty in this District. The village people get

various types of loans from government and private banks and they include the

scheduled commercial banks, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and

Co-operative banks. Kanyakumari district is endowed with a very good

network of Post Offices, Commercial Banks and other insurance companies.

Commercial Banks play an important role in providing finance both to the

agricultural and industrial sector. Indian Overseas Bank and its branches

operate in most areas. State Bank of Travancore occupies the second position

with 24 branches.6

4.16. Transport and Highways

There are two major National Highways (NH) roads emanating from

Kanyakumari town. One is the NH 7 that starts from the town and runs through

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Madurai and the other is the NH 47 that runs to Salem through Kerala,

touching some important cities like Trivandrum, Kochi and Coimbatore. The

state-owned Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation is the major operatorof

bus services in the district, though licenses are issued for specific routes to

private operators. Today, there are 3495.80 km of surfaced roads in the district.

Indian Railway operates train from Kanyakumari District to many important

places of India. There is a proposal to build an airport in Nagercoil by Airports

Authority of India. Roadways connect the entire Kanyakumari district. There

are no airports and seaports in this district.

4.17. Export and Imports

Cashew, Monazite, Flowers, Prawn, Banana, Coir products, Nylon

fishnet, Cloves, Coconut kernels are the main exports of Kanyakumari District.

Raw cashew and wood are imported into this district.7

4.18. Industrial Opportunities in the District

There are vast opportunities for the rubber, coir and fruit based

industries, wood based industries etc. Proper incentives and infrastructure

facilities are offered to the Educated Entrepreneurs who are moving for

employment in abroad and to neighboring states.

4.19. Industrial Scenario of Kanyakumari District

Kanyakumari District, basically an agricultural/horticultural district, is

one of the lesser industrialized districts of the Tamil Nadu State. Despite higher

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literacy rate, large number of educated youth, wide network of roads and

railways, telecommunication facilities, an excellent infrastructure of bank

branches and abundant natural resources, the district lags behind in industrial

entrepreneurship. Historians claim that even in 3000 BC there was trade

between the erstwhile Travancore State and countries around the

Mediterranean Sea. Age old industries in the District are handloom weaving,

wood carving, coconut shell carving, village smithy, stone carving, chalk

industry, coconut industry, oil extraction, and so on.

Kanyakumari District is industrially backward. It has only a few large

sized industries. However, there are a large number of small scale, tiny,

handicraft village and cottage industries. The district offers good scope for

rubber and cashew based units as well as handicraft and cottage industries. A

number of factors have hampered the industrial development of the district.

Most of the areas are wetlands. The non-availability of lands for non-

agricultural purposes and the high cost of farmlands are other factors. Inspite of

all this a number of small industries has come up in the district. The major

industries are Cashew nut industries, Rubber industry, Spinning Mills, Coir

industries, Fish net industries and the like.

The large-scale industries located in the district are Kanyakumari

District Co-operative Spinning Mills Limited, Morarji Borax Limited

(Chemically treated rubber wood), Nagammal Spinning Mills Limited, Indian

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Rare Earth Limited (mineral sand), Vasantham Mono Film Limited, and

Kanam Latex, Pallavilai. Wood carving skills are evidently seen in

Padmanabhapuram palace. Further, old churches and houses show that the

skills have been flourishing for long. Stone carving is a traditional craft which

has flourished under the Pandian Kings. Suchindrum temple (765-815 AD)

stands as a monument which excels in exquisite carvings, beel metal industry

had flourished in Kottar, for long. Brass vessels, lambs and bells of Kottar were

famous.

The District was also famous for musical instruments like nadeswaram,

thavil, harmonium, mridangam and the like, which are vanishing, except in

mettukadai and Marthandam. Lace and embroidery industry received the early

protestant European missionary backing and were blooming in the yester years.

The region constituting the present Kanyakumari District had been the domain

of the Maharajas of Travancore for more than three centuries before

independence. Though these kings were interested in the welfare and economic

advancement of their subjects, their long range visions were hampered by their

lack of exposure to the industrially advanced regions of the world. They were

more pre occupied with literature, education, art, music and philosophy and the

maintenance of a large number of Oottupuras (free feeding houses) and the

expensive temple ceremonies like murajapam than on the development of

industries or building the required infrastructure. The British rule had the

minimum impact on Travancore’s social life and industrialization. During

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handloom industry crisis, the Government encouraged handloom co-operatives

and formed the Tamil Nadu Handloom and Textiles Department as well as the

Tamil Nadu Handloom Development Corporation. When the district joined

Tamil Nadu in 1956, Nagammal Textile Mills, a private sector medium scale

industry manufacturing cotton yarn commissioned in 1950 was the only

medium scale industry in the district.8

Even after independence and after merging with Tamil Nadu.

Unfortunately, there were no major efforts for industrialization in the district.

The Travancore Cochin Government had set up a factory in Manavalakurichi

where the beach sand was processed and ilmenite, monazite and the like were

mined and separated. This was taken over in 1965 by the Government of India

and the Indian Rare Earths Ltd. was formed.

In 1963, the Kanyakumari district Co-operative Spinning Mills Ltd., was

set up at Aralvaimozhi and started production from 1965. This gave

employment to around 900 persons and almost all of them became share

holders. In 1959, an Industrial Estate was established at Kappukadu near

Marthandam which is at a distance of 3 km from Marthandam proper in an

extent of 7.50 acres. In 1963 another Industrial Estate was set up at Konam,

which is at a distance of 2 km from Nagercoil in an area of 20.85 acres of land

which now has 45 units, also there are eight regular sheds to cater to the needs

under the Tiny Sector Programme, which are fully occupied. The industries

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here are mainly engaged in the manufacture of steel furniture, pipes, drums,

electrical goods, rubber products, I.V. fluid and the like.

The setting up of District Industries Centre (DIC), Konam, Nagercoil on

August 1, 1978 and opening of office of Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment

Corporation Ltd (TIIC) at Nagercoil are government interventions which have

helped the growth of industries. Due to low wages compared to Kerala, many

cashew factories have flourished in the border areas of the district, mostly

owned by Keralites. Because of factory workers exceeded the limit of workers

for declaring the district industrially backward. 9

4.20. Industrial Development in Kanyakumari District

Kanyakumari district is predominantly an agricultural district. Based

upon the agricultural output, mineral resources and vast coastline many agro

based industries, major mineral extraction industry and demand based

industry namely fishnet industry came into existence. Because of rural

industrialization, many rural, urban and industrial centres have developed.

Nagercoil, Shenbagaramanputhoor, Konam, Eathamozhi, Ammandivilai,

Manavalakurichi, Vetturnimadam, Eranial, Thovalai, Vellamadam,

Kulasekaram, Kappukadu, Karungal, Ramapuram, Aralvaimozhi, Marthandam

and Peruvilai are the important places noted for industries in Kanyakumari

District. Salt manufacture had a long history starting from pre-sangam age in

South India, Manakkudy lake region had wider salt pans during the time of

137

RajendraChola viz. 1012 to 1044 A.D. Variyoor near Kanyakumari was also a

salt manufacturing region during this age. An epigraph of KulothungaChola

(1070 to 1120 A.D) refers to the salt pans of Variyoor 15. At the turn of this

century, Variyoor, Manakkudi, Rajakkamangalam and Colachel had grown as

important centres of salt production. Each centre had extensive areas under salt

production. The salt produced from salt pans has good avenues for chemical

industries. But unfortunately salt manufacturing is on the decline at

Manakkudi, almost ceased at Rajakkamangalam and totally abandoned at

Colachel after 1970. Fishing is a traditional occupation of the people in

Kanyakumari District. The Government of India in the sixties stepped up

efforts to build a Chinnamuttom fishing harbour, near Kanyakumari to promote

deep sea fishing keeping Chinnamuttom as the base. The food processing units

depending on deep-sea fishing have a brighter future. They await proper

planning and careful execution. The deep sea fishing necessitates large

quantities of fishnets in different varieties. This has led to the starting of fishnet

units throughout the district.

During the early part of the present century, cashew farming stood next

to paddy cultivation. The entire table lands and foot hill regions had verdant

growth of cashew trees. Cashew nut production exceeded local consumption

and had export markets. After 1920, Mr. Shahul Hameed of Thuckalay, started

a cashew processing factory at Lakshmipuram near Mondaikadu of

Kalkulamtaluk. It has a flourishing history. As irrigation extended and paddy

138

cultivation had expanded on table lands cashew trees were felled down.10

In the foot hill regions, rubber plantations have replaced cashew plantations

from the forties of the present century. Because of these developments, the

inadequate supply of raw materials to cashew factory at Lakshmipuram

necessitated a change in the fortunes of the industry. Before 1960, the cashew

factory was sold to the management of the Lakshmipuram College of Arts and

Science.

The history of cashew processing industry did not end with the tragic

finale of the Lakshmipuram Cashew Factory. When the cashew industrial

magnates of Kerala faced labour problem, they turned to Kanyakumari District.

This district provided cheap labour and the cost of ends in rural areas was very

low. Hence, in the sixties of this century, some of the cashew factories of

Kerala had a systematic migration to Kanyakumari district.

After independence Colachel fibre unit was brought under Co-operative

sector. Coconuts supplied raw materials for oil crushing and coir industries.

Traditionally, oil crushing and coir production were carried on as cottage

industries. Oil crushing was carried on in the village settlements of veniyars

and checckalas.11 They used bullock-drawn country oilchekku. (Oil Press),

Asaripallam, Eethenkadu, Kannamagalam, Manavalakurichi, Colachel,

Perumcode, Eraniel and Pudukkadai were important centres of production of

coconut oil as cottage industry. Since 1970, there has been a phenomenal

139

expansion of coconut cultivation, resulting in increased production of kopra.

Though mechanized oil chekku replaced country chekku, Coconut Kernel

based industry in this district did not make any headway. Coconut powder

manufacturing, oil-crushing and tender coconut packing industries have a

bright future now. Coconut husks formed raw materials for coir and coir based

industries. Coir production was being carried on for long on cottage industry

basis. Coir based industry has great growing opportunities on the coastal belt

from Manakudi in the east to Kollencode in the west on account of soaking

facilities in backwater canals, lagoons and the like. Coir was supplied for local

use and exported to the commercial centres of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra

Pradesh, Orissa and Tamilnadu and also to foreign countries in the form of mat

and mattings. Thamaraikulam, Pozhikkarai, Eathamozhi, Dharmapuram,

Ganapathipuram and Kannakkurichi all in Agasteeswaram taluk,

Manavalakurichi, Parappatu and Colachel in Kalkulam taluk, Painkulam,

Eazhudesam and Kollencode in Vilavancode taluk are thriving centres of coir

spinning cottage industry. After 1970, the quantity in the production of coconut

husks multiplied and husk processing mills have replaced the hand-beaten husk

processing units. Coir spinning and coir-based industries have witnessed many

changes and growth. The Kanyakumari District Central Coir Marketing and

Industrial Society Ltd., Eathamozhi was started on 19th January 1977. The

co-operative sector and private sector promoted coir and coir-based production.

The Central Coir Marketing Society, Nagercoil and its affiliated societies

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which are 10 in number spread all over the district promote coir and coir-based

industries.

After independence, especially from 1966 power looms were

introduced. In the private sector, TAC-Floor Co, Ammandivilai, a coir-based

and coir products manufacturing company was established in 1975. It is an off

shoot of the reputed Allapuzha Company of Kerala. It is totally a mechanized

large scale industry engaged in the production of coir mats, matting carpets and

rugs for local use and mainly for export markets. With the establishment of

TAC floor co, the coir-based industry made headway in this district.

Rubber cultivation was introduced on the mountainous belt and

expanded on the foot hill regions. The latex available in Kanyakumari district

is of international standard. For convenience of marketing, rubber sheets are

made from latex and sent to tyre manufacturing units in Madras, Calcultta and

Bombay. Local industries are manufacturing rubber bands, rubber threads and

industrial and medical gloves. The only reason for not starting automobile tyre

units in the private sector in Kanyakumari district is lack of heavy investment

from private entrepreneurs. But the Government of Tamil Nadu plans to start a

large scale rubber unit in Kanyakumari district.

Weaving as a cottage industry has a very long history right from the age

of Sangam. The Venad rulers and their successors and the Travanore kings

were careful protectors of this industry. For rulers had brought artisans from

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outside. The reforms introduced by Travancore kings regarding agriculture

were remarkable. DewanRajakesavadoss (18th century) brought a large number

of weavers from Madurai and Tirunelveli and they were offered all facilities to

settle permanently in Nanchilnadu, Kottar. Krishnankoil, Edalakudi, Kottar,

Vadasery, Manavalakurichi, Eraniel, Palliyadi and Melpuram were thriving

centres of weaving industry, organised on co-operative basis. Weaving industry

during the European period had external challenges. It had caused migrations

and even exodus of weavers from south Travancore. During the early part of

the present century, the Pallans once a weaving community evacuated their

settlement at Pallanvilai near Ammandivilai and they gave up weaving and

took to commerce and settled at Valliyoor.

Nagammal Spinning Mills Ltd., Nagercoil, in the private sector and the

Kanyakumari District Co-operative Spinning Mills Ltd. came into being at

Aramboli in the co-operative sector for large scale industrial production.

Though cotton the raw material is imported, these two mills have had a

flourishing existence ever since their inception. 12

4.21. Industrial Status of the District

The small scale industries in Kanyakumari District are also not well

developed. At present there are only 17 different types of small scale industries

functioning with 1350 small scale industrial units as shown in the following

table 4.4.

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 Table 4.3
Small Scale Industrial units in Kanyakumari District

Sl.No Nature of Industry Number of Units

1 Wood-based Industries 166
2 Engineering Industries and allied 210
3 Printing and Binding Industry 130
4 Blacksmith and allied 60
5 Food products 65
6 Ice products 18
7 Rubber Based Industries 30
8 Coir Based Industries 65
9 Plastic Industries 10
10 Candle Industries 35
11 Brush Making Industries 40
12 Tapioca Starch 4
13 Cashew Kernels 105
14 Soap Industries 24
15 Chemical Industries 15
16 Miscellaneous Industries 212
17 Others 161
Total 1350
Source: Action Plan for 2002-03 to 2011-23, District Industrial Centre, Konam.

Apart from these small scale industries, there are certain village

industries which have marked rapid growth in the Khadi and village industries

sector.13 Some of such village industries make soap production out of

non-edible oil, village pottery, palmgur, fibreextraction, bamboo and ratton

works, village oil ghani, bee-keeping, carpentry, medical herbs collection and

lime kiln.

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 Besides, Kanyakumari district has a number of industries of art and

crafts. Among them stone carving, wood carving, art metal wares, temple

jewellery, artistic glass work, wax models, silver jewellery, chunk product,

musical instruments, screwpine products, embroidery and lace works, palm leaf

products, Korai mat and doll making are worth noted.

The most important point to remember here is that the Kanyakumari

District has a very good basic infrastructural facility for the quick growth of

industries in this district.14 Handloom industry in Kanyakumari District has a

separate identity as the only huge traditional cottage industry of the district,

extended every nook and corner of the district. This cottage industry has an

exclusive government department established at the district level, the reason

being mass participation of the local people in this prestigious occupation

Handloom weaver co-operative societies have been formed by this government

department which is known as The Office of the Assistant Director of

Handlooms and Textiles. It provides all facilities and amenities including the

needed financial assistance to the growth of this great cottage industry in

Kanyakumari district. It should be remembered that handloom industry is very

big in size when compared with all other small scale and cottage industries.

A number of factors have hampered the industrial development in the

district. The most important among them are lack of mineral resource,

industrial raw materials, proper transport facilities and suitable climate.13

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4.22. Employment Scenario

The social elites for social status and security of income, through social

influence got employment under the Government. Education grew steadily and

employment opportunities for teaching were extended to the non elite sector.

Education is preferred for social status and security of income. After the advent

of independence, employment opportunities in the real of Government

employment expanded.15 Higher Education also grew fast. The educated sector

had a pleasant berth in Government offices very easily for long. This

occupational environment and agrarian background provided a situation

creating an area of challenge for the initiative, until 1983 – the year of great

drought which challenged, and changed land-based socio-economic agrarian

environment. Thereafter people preferred office-based employment to land-

based agrarian life.

The entire employment pattern of this district is divided into two such as

main workers and marginal workers. The employment opportunities available

to the workers in the predominantly agricultural district are seasonal in nature

and the per capita income is low. This is one of the reasons why the

Government takes necessary steps to make the district industrially developed.

With the help of industrialization the workers are getting full employment.

Also more and more employment opportunities are generated and this will help

for increasing per capita income of people which will ultimately raise the

standard of living of the people16. There was occupational migration from

145

agrarian sector to official sector and industrial sectors. Urbanization and urban

growth provided employment to skilled and unskilled labourers. Modernization

in industry and commerce provides employment to educated youth both male

and female.

4.22.1. Employment/Unemployment Scenario, Seasonality and Issue

In Kanyakumari district most of the people are educated and they have

any kind of works or self employment for their daily bread. So, an employment

problem has not arisen in Kanyakumari District.

Table 4.4
Occupational Pattern in the District

% of Workers to
Category Number
Total Workers
Allied Agro activity 9871 2.14
SF/Marginal Workers 60195 13.07
Artisans 59854 13.00
Cultivators 61567 13.37
Agricultural labourers 177410 38.52
Household industry manufacturing,
38514 8.36
processing, servicing and repairs
Other workers 53133 11.54
Total workers 460544 100.00
Non workers 1215490
Total population 1676034
17
Source: Annual Credit Plan, 2010-2011.

Nearly 54 percent of the population have directly involved in agriculture

activities, 21.36 percent in industrial activities and others in other common type

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of activities. Among the total population of 1676034 persons, only 460544

persons were able to find a work of any nature. Therefore unemployment is one

of the burning issues in the district.18

4.23. Research Methodology

This research work conducted by applying scientific methods. The

sequence of activities carried out is as follows:

4.23.1 Research Design

The research work was conducted by using scientific methods. The

research is both descriptive and empirical in nature. This is because the

problem identified cannot be studied in laboratory setting. The data for this

research was collected through a well-constructed questionnaire in order to

achieve the stated objective. Hypotheses were framed and tested using

statistical tools. The study was undertaken by using both secondary data and

primary data. Secondary data was collected from published books, journals,

magazines, thesis, newspaper, working papers, websites and unpublished

sources of information.

4.23.2 Sampling Design

In this research work, non-probability based sampling technique was

used. The non-probability sampling technique used were convenience sampling

and snowball sampling techniques. The statistical population of the research

are the SSI units situated in Kanyakumari district. In this study the statistical

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population is known and the sample size was determined with the help of a

formula.

The formula used for calculating the sample size is

n = Nt2*(pq) / Ne2 + t2pq

where

n = sample size

N = Population

t = t value (1.96) for 95 percent confidence level

p = supposed ratio of profitable SSI

q = supposed ratio of non-profitable SSI (1-p)

e = accepted margin of error

The targeted sample population has been calculated on the basis of the

above formula.

n = 1341 (1.96)2 * (0.5) (0.5) / 1350 (0.04)2 + (1.96) (0.5) (0.5)

n = 414

The formula has provided that for the target population of 1350 firms,

the statistical sample size is 414 firms. The 414 firms were selected using

simple random technique. Questionnaires were given to all the 415 units and

their responses were obtained. The response level from the respondents was

moderate and only 58 percent of the respondents (240 units) provided data.

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From the responses received only loss making small scale units were identified

and used as samples in the final study. Thus the final sample size was 141

units. This was done in order to relate to the stated problem and objectives of

the study.

4.23.3. Sampling

Sampling may be defined as the selection of some part of an aggregate

or totality on the basis of which a judgement or interfere about the aggregate or

totality is made. In other words, it is the process of obtaining information from

an entire population by examining only part of it. There are two types of

sampling Probabilistic procedure and non-probabilistic procedure. Here we are

discussing two methods snowball sampling and convenience sampling under

non-probabilistic procedure19.

4.23.4. Convenience Sampling

Also referred to as availability sampling convenience sampling is a

method by which the respondents are selected based on the interviewers

convenience or the basis of availability. It has been accepted that convenient

sampling is a useful method for assessing quick reactions to any concept, or for

pre-testing questionnaires' useful variant is to select sampling units at the

interviewers' convenience from a well-defined, well-structured sampling frame.

4.23.5. Snowball Sampling

Snowball sampling, which is considered a form of accidental sampling,

is adopted for the present study. According to Allen Rubin and Earl R. Babbie ,

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snowball sampling is appropriate when the members of a special population are

difficult to locate. The term snowball refers to the process of accumulation as

each located subject suggests other subjects. The sampling procedure also

results in samples that have questionable representativeness, so it is used

primarily for exploratory purposes. Nevertheless, snowball sampling is an

important and commonly used technique in qualitative research, and in

research on minority and oppressed population it is often necessary. In order to

study the developments of entrepreneurs in small scale industries in

kanyakumari district, 141 entrepreneurs in small scale industries identified of

the district by adopting the snowball sampling technique.

4.23.6.Tools for Data Collection

Survey method is employed to collect the data from the respondents and

the data are collected with the help of questionnaires. Questionnaire is

administered for the respondents. Questionnaire is a standardized form for

collecting information to elicit data from the small scale units entrepreneurs. A

questionnaire consists of a set of questions presented to a respondent for his or

her answers. The questionnaire prepared in this study was in the form of multi-

choice questions.

4.23.7. Statistical Tools Applied

The research design and the questionnaire were designed in such a

manner so that it would allow the researcher to analyse the stated research

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objectives and test the hypotheses framed by using statistically relevant tools.

The statistical tools used are percentage analysis, rank order, t test, multiple

regression analysis, and factor analysis.

4.23.8. Percentage Analysis

Percentage analysis is the method to represent raw streams of data as a

percentage (a part in 100 - percent) for better understanding of collected data.

Percentage analysis consists of reducing a series of related amounts to a series

of percentages of a given base. This analysis facilitates comparison and is

helpful in evaluating the relative size of items or the relative change in items.

Using this analysis the data of socio economic factors, industry profile and

management functional activities have been compiled.20

4.23.9. Rank Order

Rank order questions provide participants a unique opportunity to

specify how items or concepts stack up against each other. In the survey

results, you’ll see the average ranking of each item, giving you an idea of

which are most important to your participants. The order of preferences give

the preferences a good insight. It is a engaging activity for the participants.

Rank order is used in this study to rank the motivational factors to enable

entrepreneurs to start business.

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4.23.10. T - Test

T test is based on t distribution and is considered an appropriate test for

judging the significance of the sample mean or for judging the significance of
difference between the means of two samples in case of small sample when
population variance is not known. The relevant test statistic t is calculated from
the sample data and then compared with its probable value based on
t distribution at a specified level of significance for concerning degrees of
freedom for accepting or rejecting the null hypothesis. T-test applies only for
small samples when population variation is unknown.

t=
(X −ȝ )
ı X

Where = Mean of the sample

µ = Mean of the universe / Population
σ = Standard error of mean

4.23.11. Multiple Regression Analysis

This analysis is used when the researcher has one dependent variable
which is presumed to be a function of two or more independent variables..The
objective of this analysis is to make prediction about the dependent variable
based on is covariance with all the concerned independent variable.

Y = a+b1x1+b2x2+........................... bnxn+ e
Y = dependent variable
x1,x2...xn = independent variable
b1,b2...bn = regression co-efficient of independent variable
a = intercept
e = error

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4.23.12. Factor Analysis

Factor analysis is a popular technique used for the purpose of grouping

together correlated variables .Factor analysis is an interdependence technique

which determines the relationship between variables without dividing the data

matrix into dependent and independent variables. Using Factor analysis, a data

reduction technique, is used to identify few factors that explain the majority of

problems that can result in sickness of industrial units. The variables that have

large factor loadings for a particular factor or component are grouped together

and taken as a single factor. The factor analysis has helped in grouping

problems faced by entrepreneurs which in their opinion are important reasons

for sickness in the industrial units in the study area.

Fi = ai1x1 + ai2x2 + ai3x3 +..........+ ainxn21

4.24. Conclusion

As far as Kanyakumari District is concerned, it is fully resource oriented

in agriculture, mineral, forest, marine and also in the availability of human

skills. Regarding human resources, it has got a very high rate of literate

population having fascination towards white collared and secured jobs. Young

people are reluctant to make investment to set up new industrial ventures.

Consequently, the available raw materials are transported to other places to

start industrial units, keeping the district as an industrially backward one. Non-

availability of vacant lands for industrial utilization and the high cost of land

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have aggravated the situation further. Hence this district is faced with a slow

pace of industrial development. Kanyakumari District is an industrially

backward district which has only a few large-sized industries. However, there

is a large number of small-scale, tiny, handicraft, village and cottage industries.

The district is bestowed with natural resources and has a good scope for rubber

and cashew based units as well as handicraft and cottage industries. Thus, there

exists a good potential for industrial development. But the survival of small-

scale industries in the district is very poor due to various problems they are

facing in the production and marketing of their products profitably due to

competition and globalization. It is in the hands of the policy makers to find a

good avenue and revenue for the small scale sector. This chapter also covers

the research methodology used for analysing the data.

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 REFERENCES

1. Government of India Ministry of MSME Brief Industrial Profile of

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2. Kanyakumari District Statistical Handbook 2011-12.

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2003-04.

4. Census of India -2011.

5. District Statistical Hand Book – 2008-09, Kanyakumari district.

6. Potential linked credit plan Kanyakumari District, 2003-04.

7. Kanyakumary District Annual plan for 1987.

8. G. Returns, District Statistical Office, Nagercoil,2003-04.

9. Socio-economic Review of Kanyakumari.

10. District Statistical Hand Book – 2005, Kanyakumari district.

11. Action Plan for District Industrial Centre, Konam, 2012.

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13. Muthukrishnan, D., (2011), “The Performance of Small Scale Industries

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14. Kanyakumari District, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Tirunelveli.

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16. AGRO STAT – Joint Director of Agriculture, Kanyakumari, 2003.

17. Annual Credit Plan -2010-11.

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18. MSME Annual Report -2012-2013.

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for Social Work”, Cengage Learning Publication, New Delhi.

20. Kothari, C.R., (2008), “Research Methodology”, New Age International

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21. Sunanda Easwaran, and Sharmila, J. Singh, (2010), “Marketing Research

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