Policy on IIM Report on Plantation Sector on Cards: Minister P Rajeeve

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
The Kerala government will come out with a comprehensive policy on the study report submitted by the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) on plantation sector within two-three months, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir P. Rajeeve said here today.

The government will look into what is to be done within the framework of report and based on which a policy will be made, he informed.

Rajeev said the major recommendations in the report are for maintaining the plantation area and setting up a new buffer zone.

Speaking during the presentation of ‘IIM Study Report on Plantation,’ organized by Plantations Directorate under the Department of Industries and Commerce (DIC), the minister said an approved master plan is required while leveraging the stipulated five percent land of plantation area for tourism activities.

The DIC had signed an MoU with the IIMK for conduct of a comprehensive study on diversification and optimization of revenue from plantations in Kerala. It was part of various plans envisaged in the wake of formation of the Plantations Directorate under the DIC.

“Kerala is the first state in the country to set up a Plantations Directorate in the model of ease of doing business and for the welfare of the sector. The Directorate has been conducting training and awareness programmes along with implementing a host of schemes. This study is part of the project conceived by the Plantations Directorate,” he noted.

Rajeeve said a single window clearance board can be formed on how to utilize the plantation land.

“The government aims to improve the pay scale of workers as well as to create a capable system that can meet their needs. Plantation sector is considered as an industry by the government. A finalized scheme for layams (shelter of labourers) has been approved and it will be implemented soon,” he informed.

Rajeev urged plantation owners and stakeholders to invest more in the sector to create more employment opportunities.

In his opening remarks, A. P. M. Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary, (Industries& Commerce), said Kerala is the first state to take out plantation sector from Labour Department and to include within the ambit of the Industries Department.

According to him, the report envisages a roadmap for the strategic revival of the Kerala plantation sector by adopting changes in agriculture practices and value added products.

Anie Jula Thomas, Director, Industries; Dr K S Kripakumar, Additional Director, Plantations Directorate; were also present. Dr. B Ashok, Principal Secretary & Agriculture Production Commissioner, shared his views on the report through videoconferencing.

IIMK faculty Prof. Venkataraman S and Prof Ashutosh Sarkar presented the study report and interacted with the audience comprising plantation owners, trade union leaders and people’s representatives.

Lauding the initiative of the Plantations Directorate, Anoop, who represented Coffee Growers Association, said he could attend two world coffee conferences representing the country due to the interventions of the Directorate.

A few stakeholders also put forward their recommendations to the government to be implemented in the sector.

Some of the recommendations in the study report include encouraging multi-cropping on plantation land, promoting the practice of optimal crop planning as part of agricultural best practices, and taking initiatives to earn carbon credits for its preservation and conservation efforts.

It also suggests additional buffer zones in a collaborative manner by planters and government, which will allow a large area/ domain for wild animals than available at present, especially in areas where there is significant human-animal conflict. Even if plantation land gets distributed down generations, the use of such inherited land must be only for growing plantation crops.

The report says that any ecotourism allowance must ensure that the fundamental character of plantations be maintained.

Government may support plantation activities by way of conducting research studies, market surveys, business networking and exhibitions, bringing out comprehensive plans for market connect and encouragement of downstream activities, it adds.

The purpose of the study was to outline a strategic roadmap for the Kerala plantation sector for at least the next few decades that would help the sector survive and also pave the way for its sustainable growth, allowing value accretion to all stakeholders, including government, community, and dependent social ecosystems.