New Policy will Boost Plantation Sector: Minister Rajeeve

KOCHI:
Kerala is expecting an investment surge in plantations in the state as the government is poised to introduce a policy proposing diversification in the sector, Industries Minister P Rajeev said today.

“A report drawn up by IIM-Kozhikode is before us. We are holding discussions with all stakeholders. Utilising this opportunity will bring large-scale investments into the plantation sector,” he revealed, speaking at a regional conference on Plantation, High-tech Farming and Value-added Rubber Products Industries here.

The roundtable, which seeks to boost the government’s efforts to make Kerala a global destination for innovative technology, was part of an ongoing series to facilitate a suitable ecosystem. The discussions on plantation, which comes under a list of 22 priority sectors of the state as per the New Industrial Policy, was held as part of the government’s preparations to next year’s Global Investor Meet.

The Minister’s statement comes in the wake of IIM-Kozhikode suggesting to go for tropical fruit trees, also of the exotic variety, alongside existing plantation crops. The institution, in its study submitted to the government last month, had also sought promoting a public-private partnership model to establish a Kerala brand for plantation crops and promote silviculture as well as agroforestry.

Rajeeve, noting that the innovative K-Swift scheme facilitates starting businesses “within just one minute”, reiterated that completion of the legal obligations will the license in three-and-a-half years. Getting K-Swift’s principal approval letter will further simplify matters, including loans, he added, recalling that Kerala currently topped the country’s list of states in Ease of Doing Business.

Calling upon industrialists to join the government’s efforts to improving awareness about the legislative amendments, the Minister said such a collective spirit will boost Kerala’s business-friendliness.

Industries Department Principal Secretary A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish gave a presentation on the New Industrial Policy. KSIDC Managing Director S. Harikishore welcomed the gathering, while KSIDC Executive Director Hari Krishnan R. proposed thanks.

The session was followed by a panel discussion, which was addressed by Rubber Board Executive Director M. Vasanthagesan, Plantation Corporation MD Dr James Jacob and Rubfila International MD G. Krishna kumar. The participants stressed the need for the emergence of value-added industries to make the rubber sector profitable.

Since Kerala accounted for 71 per cent of the country’s natural rubber production, the state needs to promote manufacturing of value-added rubber products, the panelists emphasized. Similarly, replantation of the degenerated estates and adoption of smart farming methods are essential to maintain the state’s preeminent position in natural rubber production, they added.

The finale of the series will be the Global Investor Meet in Kochi in February next year.