CHAPTER Ill AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY OF KERALA - A PROFILE 3.1 Introduction Kerala has a unique place in the geographical map of India. A narrow coastal belt lying sandwiched between the western ghats on the east and the Arabian sea on the west with an area of 38,863 sq. Kms, (1.1 per cent of the geographical area of India) and a total population of 3 1.84 million (3.1 per cent of India's population-200 I census), the state has all the characteristics of a distinct geographical unit. It lies between 8'18' and 12' 48' North latitude and 74'22' and 77" 22' East longitude. The union territory of Lakshadweep - a cluster of islands 1s situated in the Arabian sea off the coast of North Kerala. The state of Tamil Nadu borders it on the south and partly on the east, the state of Karnataka on the North and partly on the east. Kerala state although very small in geographical extent comprises different types of land resource configurations and land use patterns. The state is quite different in physiography, climate, soil and crops when compared to other states of India. There is multiplicity of natural resource endowments in the state unlike the extensive and monotonous agro-climatic situations prevalent in other states of India. Kerala is relatively rich in resources which are needed for agricultural production. Kerala has a high bio-mass production potential. The state is endowed with solar radiation for 365 days despite cloudy days during the rainy months, average annual precipitation of 300
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CHAPTER Ill
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY OF KERALA - A PROFILE
3.1 Introduction
Kerala has a unique place in the geographical map of India. A narrow
coastal belt lying sandwiched between the western ghats on the east and the
Arabian sea on the west with an area of 38,863 sq. Kms, (1.1 per cent of the
geographical area of India) and a total population of 3 1.84 million (3.1 per
cent of India's population-200 I census), the state has all the characteristics of
a distinct geographical unit. It lies between 8'18' and 12' 48' North latitude
and 74'22' and 77" 22' East longitude. The union territory of Lakshadweep -
a cluster of islands 1s situated in the Arabian sea off the coast of North Kerala.
The state of Tamil Nadu borders it on the south and partly on the east, the
state of Karnataka on the North and partly on the east.
Kerala state although very small in geographical extent comprises
different types of land resource configurations and land use patterns. The state
is quite different in physiography, climate, soil and crops when compared to
other states of India. There is multiplicity of natural resource endowments in
the state unlike the extensive and monotonous agro-climatic situations
prevalent in other states of India. Kerala is relatively rich in resources which
are needed for agricultural production. Kerala has a high bio-mass production
potential. The state is endowed with solar radiation for 365 days despite
cloudy days during the rainy months, average annual precipitation of 300
cms, 5-6 types of soil, undulating topography alternating with hills and
valleys, altitude ranging from below sea level to soaring 25000m. Like the
adversity and richness in land resources, Kerala is better endowed with water
resources also.
Kerala is well known for its biological wealth. Biological scientists
consider Kerala as a genetic paradise since almost every household is a
genetic garden The land, water, flora and fauna of the state provide
opportunities for the livelihood security of the people of the state. Kerala's
rich wild life offers opportunities for eco-tourism.
Agriculture continues to be the most important and single largest sector
of the state's economy accounting for 21.38 per cent of state's income in
2000-2001 ' and providing livelihood security for vast majority of the people.
The sector supports 38 per cent of the workers of the state. It is the raw
material base for the traditional industries like coir, cashew, oil mill etc. Most
of the crops grown in the state are of national importance by way of earning/
saving of valuable foreign exchange by exportJimport substituion.
In spite of the relative richness in resource endowments and high gross
income per un~t of land the yield of most of the crops grown in Kerala is
lower than all India average. Notwithstanding the investment and
development activities which took place during the last few decades the yield
of many of the crops have not improved substantially. In fact the yield of
some of the crops are showing declining tendencies.
I Government ot Kerala - Econorn~c review 2001 Kerala state planning Board Thlruvanathapuram, p 7
3.2. Physiographic Divisions and Cropping Patterns
The vernacular name for the district Malabar, 'Malayalam' (the land
of hills)' the ancient name of modem Kerala which properly includes cochin,
Travancore and Malabar and is the product of States Reorganization Act
(central Act xxxvii) of 1956~. Both Kerala Mahatrnyam and Kerololpatti start
with the legend that the Malanad was miraculously reclaimed from the sea by
Parasuraman and peopled by him with Brahmans. Ancient Kerala was divided
into five regions (tenais) on the basis of soil formation and topography
namely marutham, (cultivable area) palai (uncultivated barren and rockey
region) Kurinji (hilly area) neytal (coastal area) and mullai (pasture land14. In
modem times Kerala has been divided into three natural physiographic
divisions on the basis of physical features. They are the high land, the low
land and the m ~ d land.
The western ghats which bound Kerala on its eastern side and
dominate its topography constitute the high land. While the upper ranges in
these mountainous area are covered by thick forest, the lower ranges have
their plantations which lay interspersed with forests. Teak, rosewood and
other valuable trees grow in these areas which present every where a splendid
luxuriance of foliage and flowers. Crops like tea, coffee, cardamom and
turmeric abound in the higher elevations while in the sub mountain tracts in
and below the ghats are grown crops like pepper, ginger and rubber.
' Malabar yazateer C.A. Innes - Government of Kerala 1997 (First published in 1908-vol I&Il page chapter 11.
' Census of India 196 1 , vol. VII- Kerala part I A (i) general Report. A. Sreedhara Menon (1997) Land and People. The Natural Resources of Kerala (ED) 1997 K Balachandran Thampi, N.M. Nayar, C.S. Nagar world wide fund for Nature. Kerala state office Thiruvanathapuram, p.302.
The low land is comprised of the long and narrow coastal belt on the
west with stretches of sand and backwaters. The landscape in this area is
dominated by extensive paddy fields and numerous coconut plantations.
In between the high land and low land is the midland which presents an
undulating country covered by laterite soil cut across by rivers. Here may be
seen the villages broken intermittently by isolated hills and also the plains
leading to the forest clad uplands. The area is rich in agricultural production
and a variety of crops including rice, tapioca, banana, pepper, ginger coconut,
arecanut and rubber are grown. Considerable variations are observed in the
soil and cropping patterns between the three natural physiographic divisions.
These div~sions are given in the following table.
Table 3.1
Physiographic Divisions of Kerala
Source: Report of the committee on Agro-Climatic zones and cropping pattern. Government of Kerala April 1974, p.3.
-
lands
Low land5 .-
The criteria for the natural physiographic divisions of Kerala considers
only one variable namely the altitude above Mean Sea Level (MSL). Hence
each division (highlands, midlands and low lands) would comprise diverse
agro-ecological entities and resultant land use patterns. In order to identify
homogenous agro-climate regions the criteria should include more variables
like climate soil etc. Based on the recommendation of the National
Definition Revenue villages lying 250' (76.2m) and more above MSL Revenue vlllages lying between 25' and 250' (7.62 m and 76.2m) above MSL Revenue vlllages lying below 25' (7.62m) above MSL ElE - _ - _ - Total area
Area ~m's .
18653
16231
3979
%of total
48.00
41.76
10.24
38863 100.00
Commission on Agriculture (1976) on Agro-Climate Zones and the
Committee on Cropping Pattern (Govt. of Kerala), the state has been
delineated into thirteen agro-climate zones on the basis of four principal
parameters viz. altitude, rainfall, soil type and topography.
Table 3.2 and Map 1 give an account of the agro-climatic zones of
Kerala from 1974 onwards.
Table 3.2 Agro- climatic Zones of Kerala
** Lower values show percentage share in the total. Source: Report of the committee on ago-climate zones and cropping pattern, Deparhnent of
Agriculture. Government of Kerala, p.12.
Map Y
iigro-Climatic zones of Kerala
' ' : :!LACY SOIL , ,
'-, . ,i :: SkNDY ,' --
' ~ . r h o . .
--. . ,.. V , l : ) A > ' 8 ,I . .,~ <- . - ..)-r,r, uini~arios pSs ? T . :?$,,,. . \ - :;
.,,""7 ,. - - v ~ ~ h ~ ~ ; r I,' , ~ I W M F I I T ~ ~ ~ T S 3 ,
",
,-.>:..'I l , , , l r , , . ' , n , . n : " , " r ~ . ,, , ,.ih,,..., * .,.., ,,,, ~ ~ " " c ~ . : Y i i Y w II,KR_III 1 " l , i 1 i : *nil( I.',\. 1
s",ll.cc : I . . , , - ! I . ;:!. ~ .~
i<e~-ala, Report of the Committee on Agro-Climatic ,', ,!><:.. ,.,.' ,-nppinq Pattern. ..
7.3 1,and i r L r . 3 . 1 f r ropping Systems
!<.*.!:'I '. . , ; (>I-y high degree of land use and cropping intensity even
c!urlng t ' l , : ~ . ~ , ! : ~ r ~ ~ n c i e n t days. The state has opted for an extensive
a i . r i c ~ ~ l ~ ~ l r ! ~ #,il cluite often leading to situations beyond the canying
capacity of the ecological systems. The Kerala state has the distinction of
having attained a very high degree of land use with an intensity of cropping of
1 3 ~ ~ . The scope for bringing new areas under plough is rather limited with
only a meager four per cent of geographical area.
The soils of the state can broadly be classified into sandy, alluvial,
laterite, red black, peaty and forest and hill soils. Of this laterite soils are by
far the most important group found in Kerala and cover the largest area
(29%16. Diversity, beauty and economic value are the special characteristics
of the flora of Kerala.
A study of the land use pattern shows that the land put to agricultural
use has reached a saturation point recording a level of 57.9 per cent. The net
area sown has recently shown a declining trend. The main reasons for this are
the high density of population (819 per sq Krn, 2001 census) and the diversion
of land for non-agricultural purposes like construction of houses and creation
of infrastructural facilities. A perceptible trend noticed with regard to area
under cultivation IS the fall in the area under food crops like grains, pulses,
cereals etc and the increase in the area under plantation and commercial crops
eg:- rubber, tea, coffee etc. Corresponding trends have been noticed in
production in these fields as well. The following table (Table 3.3) give an
account of the classification of the area under different land use from 1960-61
to 2000-2001.
Report of the Taskforce on Agriculture IXth Plan, State Planning Board Thimvanathapuram, Chapter 1, p. 16.
6 Census of India- 1961-vol VII. Kerala part I a(i), General Report, Chapter I, Section 11, pp.1-22.
Table 3.3 Area under the different land use classification in Kerala during the period 1960-61 to 2000-01
(Area '000 hectares) [>and use 11992.93 / 1993-94 (1994-95 ~p
2) Agricultural statistics (various issues), Dept of Economics and Statistics, Govt..of Kerala.
Total geographical area
1 3885 1 3885 ; 3885 3885 3885 ; 3885 - ~ --
Forest 1056 1055 1082 1082 1082 1082 Land put to non- 205 275 270 297 301 303 agricultural uses -- Barren and
151 72 86 58 55 55 uncultivable land Permanent pastures and 45 28 5 2 2 2 grazing land Land under miscellaneous tree 204 132 64 34 34 34
I ! I I I 3885 388, i 3885 : 3885 3885 ' 3885 ' 3885 : 1885
1082
320
38.9
.83
22.03
-. 1082
308
51.5
1.57
36.7
1082
323
48.4
1.46
32.4
1082
313
43
1.11
26.85
1082
318
41
.93
23.26
- i 1082 t
29.3 3821 .16
15.41
- C--- 1082
327
28.5
.52
19.04
1 0 8 2
354
28.8
.25
18.52
The land use systems of the state present a complex pattern with a
great diversity of trees and field crops. Cropping systems include
intercropping, mixed cropping, sequential cropping and many other forms of
poly cultures involving a wide spectrum of crops like cereals, pulses, tubers,
fruits, vegetables, latex and oil yielding tree and annual crops, beverages,
continents and spices, sugar crops, forages, medicinal plants, green manure
crops and timber yielding species.
Plantation agriculture is the principal land use activity in the state. Trees
including perenn~al horticultural crops have formed an integral component of the
Kerala landscape since early times. In the relatively low lying areas rice and rice
based cropping systems are dominant. Though a poly culture cropping pattern
involving many crops is common throughout the state four major cropping systems
can be delineated. These are rice based cropping system, coconut based cropping
system, tapioca based cropping system and homestead farming system. In certain
isolated parts cropping systems based on banana, arecanut and pepper also exist.
Although rubber occupies a dominant position in respect of area it is generally
grown under mono-cultural situations.
Rice based Cropping System
Rice the staple food of the people is grown predominantly in the low
lands where water is abundant. One to three rice crops are taken in the same
land in a year depending on the availability of water. Many crops like pulses,
tubers, vegetables and green manures are often grown in succession with rice
during winterisummer seasons.
Since the mid seventies agriculture in Kerala had been undergoing a
structural transformation in favour of cash crops. Food crops in general and
rice crop in particular suffered severe set back in area and production. Even
though the cropping pattern in general was predominated by perennial cash
crops, as a single crop rice could retain its pride of place by accounting for the
largest area. The area under rice in Kerala touched its peak of 8.85 lakh
hectares in 1975-76 with an annual record production of 13.65 lakh tones. The
trend after mid seventies witnessed a sharp decline in area under the crop to
3,47,455 lakh hectares in 2000-2001. Rice cultivation was gradually sinking
in to a high cost low productive small holder crop regime. Production of rice
has declined to 7,50,328 tonnes in 2000-2001 though yield increased from
1,520 kgmsha in 1975-76 to more than 2,000 kgmsha in the 90's. It is
remaining more or less stagnant at 2,162 kgmsha in 2000-2001 per capita
rice production in the state has been reduced from 65 kgms in the 70's to 30
kgms in the 90's and to 23.57 kgrns in 2000-2001.
Coconut based Cropping System
Coconut is the most important tree crop of the state. The seventies and
eighties witnessed a steady and continuous increase in the area as well as
production and yield. The area which was 6.93 lakh hectares in 1975.76 has
consistently increased over the years and reached 9.26 lakh hectares in 2000-
2001. Production also increased from 3439 million nuts in 1975-76 to 5536
million nuts in 2000-2001. Productivity also increased from 4963 nuts per
hectares in 1975-76 to 5980 nuts per hectare in 2000-2001. The annual
average growth in area coverage and yield works out to be 3.37 per cent and
two per cent. Coconut cultivation in the state is now in the midst of a severe
crisis due to the adverse effect on production and yield. Crop diseases like
root wilt diseases and attack of mite (mandari), increased cultivation in
neigbouring states, import of coconut oil at lower rates of duty and
fluctuations in the price of coconut etc. adversely affect the income of coconut
cultivators in the state. To overcome the crisis, the cultivators practice inter
cropping. Inter cropping a wide spectrum of crops including woody
perennials is the hall mark of this farming system. The combination of crown
architecture and the wide spacing adopted in coconut plantations facilitate
such intercroppmg of perennials like pepper, arecanut, nut mug, clove, cocoa
and pineapple and annuals like banana, turmeric, ginger, fodder crops, pulses,
oilseeds and many multi-purpose trees.
Tapioca based Cropping Systems
Tapioca is a crop of much significance to the state. It is the most
important supplementing food crop. Despite this, its area and production have
been steadily declining. The area of the crop has come down drastically from
3.27 lakh hectares in 1975-76 to 1,14,609 hectares in 2000-2001 and
production from 53,90,2 17 tonnes to 2,586,903 tonnes in 2000-2001. A
positive trend in the case of this crop is a steady improvement in yield from
16,491 kgmstha to 22,257 kgmslha during the same period.
Homestead farming
93.96 per cent of the holdings of the state are marginal (<1 hectare) as
against 58.98 per cent at the all India level and the average size of the
operational holdings is only 0.33 ha7. As a result cultivation in the uplands
involves an assertment of trees, shrubs and herbs growing together in a small
area and form~ng special land use systems known as homestead farming.
Home gardens (homestead farms) are operational farm units that integrate
trees with field crops, livestock, poultry, fish having the basic objective of
ensuring sustained availability of multiple crops such as food, vegetables,
fruits, fodder, fuel, timber, green leaf manure, medicines, ornamentals,
besides generating cash income and employment. (The income per unit of
homestead farm is higher in Kerala by 1.5 times than the all India average). In
this type of farm no single crop dominate. Coconut is however an integral
component of most of the homesteads in Kerala. An interesting feature of the
home garden system is that more than 80 per cent of the produce generated in
the homestead IS consumed within the family itself and the remaining 20 per
cent is only disposed off to provide any subsidiary incomes
Other salient tree based land use systems of the state include growing
multipurpose trees either or farm boundaries or as scattered trees in the'fields,
growing commercial crops (tea, coffee, pepper etc) under shade trees or
trailed on to them, growing commercial crops (cardamom) under the shade of
trees in natural forests, live fences, shelter belts etc.
Agricultural Census 1995-96 Directorate of Economical and statistics - Government of Kerala, p. 195.
X P.K Ashokan and B. Mohankumar Cropping Systems and their Water use'. Page 200-206. Natural Resources of Kerala (Ed) 1997, K. Balachandran Thampi, N.M. Nayar, C.S. Nayar - Worldwide Fund for Nature, Kerala State Office, Thiruvananthapuram, pp.200- 206.
92
Rubber
Rubber is a major crop of the state. It is experiencing a steady increase
in area and production in the last two and a half decades. It is largely grown
as a monocrop. Recently Rubber Board, the agency concerned with its
development has approved the growing of various intercrops like banana,
vegetable etc in rubber plantations during the juvenile phase. Area under
cultivation of rubber has increased from 2,06,686 hectares in 1975-76 to
4,74,364 hectares 2000-2001, production from 1,28,769 tonnes to 5,79,866
tonnes and yield 623 kgmsha to 1222 kgsha during the same period9.
Instability and fluctuations in the price of rubber is a matter of serious
concern for the rubber cultivators.
Spices and condiments
Kerala has been the principal producer of pepper, cardamom and
arecanut. The area under pepper increased from 108251 hectares in 1975-76
to 202133 hectares in 2000-2001, production from 24580 tonnes to 60929
tonnes in 2000-2001 and yield from 227 kgm/ha 301 kgm/ha during the same
period. The area under arecanut during the period declined from 93042
hectares to 87360 hectares, but production has increased from 11387 million
nuts to 87950 tonnes and yield from 148620 nutsha to 22599 nutsha in 1997-
98 and declined to 1007 kgmsha in 2000-2001'~. In the area and production
and yield of spices and condiments wide fluctuations occur due to diseases
like qulck wilt of pepper, yellow leaf disease of arecanut etc. Still the state
accounts for CJ6 per cent of pepper, 73 per cent of cocoa, 67 per cent of
cardamom, 24 per cent of arecanut, of production in the country.
'i Farm Gulde,(Various issues), Farm Information Bureau, Thimvananthapuram. 10 Farm Guide,(Various issues), Farm Information Bureau, Thimvananthapuram
Horticultural Development
The agro-climatic endowments in the state are considered to be
suitable for a wide variety of horticultural crops ranging from tropical to
semi-temperate varieties of fruits vegetables and flowers. However there was
no organized effort for tapping the potential with a commercial outlook in the
past. Kerala is the homeland of'a wide variety of banana and plantatain which
have very wide market potential. The area under banana and other plantatain
has increased from 52351 hectares in 1975-76 to 99412 hectares in 200-2001,
production from 395054 tonnes to 731650 tonnes in 2000-2001, and yleld
from 7556 kgmslha to 9838 kgrniha in 97-98 and declined to 7360 kgms/hal'
in 2000-2001.
Thus the land use systems of Kerala present a complex scenario with
tremendous diversity of trees and field crops grown in poly cultural systems
including home gardens or as sole crops. The cropping intensity is one of the
highest in India. Rice, Coconut, rubber, pepper, tapioca, cashew, banana and
other plantations represent 80 per cent of the total cropped area in Kerala. The
cropping pattern of the state has been undergoing drastic changes during the
last few decades. There has been a steady drift towards less labour absorbing
land use systems. Rice that occupied the principal position in the cropping
pattern of the state had been relegated to the third position. Much of the area
originally under rice has been replaced by plantation crops such as coconut,
rubber, arecanut or are lying fallow. This shift in land use pattern can be
attributed to the ever increasing labour wages, fragmented holdings, non-
availability of farm labour especially during the peak seasons, high cost of
inputs, besides several socio-economic and socio-cultural factors. This shift in
land use pattern further reveals the commercialization of the cropping pattern.
Thus the emerging land use pattern even after a decade long persistent efforts
through legal interventions backed by special incentives1 schemes1
promotional measures does not appear to have made any significant
development in arresting the shift in land use from seasonallannual food crops
to perennial cash crops.
Out of the 22.5 lakh hectares of net cropped area 12.5 lakh hectares are
under mono cropping systems comprising rubber, tea, coffee, cashew,
cardamom combined with net area under paddy. No inter cropping is possible
under these crops. Out of the remaining 10 lakh hectares coconut occupies
nearly 9 lakh hectares and the balance 1 lakh hectare is accounted by
miscellaneous crops. It is clear from these figures that most of our traditional
crops like pepper, arecanut, banana, ginger, turmeric, tapioca, nutmeg, clove,
vegetables, minor tubers etc are all mainly grown as intercrops in coconut
gardens. Thus it is mainly the coconut gardens which supports the seasonal
and annual crops of the state. The prosperity of the agriculture sector and the
farmers particularly the weaker sections is closely linked with the
development of'the coconut based agricultural system.
3.4 Trends in the Agricultural Development in Kerala
Kerala state formed in 1956 inherited a very strong agricultural base as
stated in the Malabar gazateer, Travnancore state Manual and the Cochin state
Manual. Two thirds of the population of Malabar were agriculturists. The
riotwari d~stricts of the east coast were mainly grain producing districts. The
Malabar district was largely a horticultural one. The average agricultural
holding measured 6.43 acres. According to a census taken in 1827,788 square
miles of area is estimated to be under rice cultivation, 120 square miles by
extensive gardens and enclosures of coconut, areka, jack, and other
production trees and the reminder by low hillsI2.
In Travancore out of the total population of 2,901,085 in the year 193 1,
1,167,451 were engaged in agriculture of which 7,85,190 accept it as the
principal occupation, 1,18,338 as working dependants and 2,63,923 as
subsidiary occupation which comes over 39 per cent of the total working
population'3. Thus Travancore also is pre-eminently an agricultural country. It
is a country of small holdings. The total number of holdings 6 per cent were
less than 20 cents in extend, 26 per cent less than 60 cents, 38 per cent less
than 5 acres and 95.5 per cent less than 10 acres and only 4.5 per cent are 10
acres or more. 77.2 per cent of the value of the total production of the state
was represented by agricultural produce'4. Out of the 31,00,000 acres of
cultivable land 80.65 per cent is subject to some kind of agricultural effort.
Rice is the staple food grain and occupied the largest area of 6,63,184
acres(2 1.4 per cent).
In Coch~n agriculture supports 51 per cent of the population and
agriculture is the predominant occupation of the people as well as their chief
p~ -
'' C. A Innes Malahar Gazetteer, government of Kerala vol I & I1 page 228-para 3, Part I a Descriptive Memoir of Malahar, p.228.
" T.K Velluppillai- The Travancore State Manual vol I general features government of Kerala p 249.
14 Ibid., vol 111. Economic Affairs, page I para I.
means of livelihoodi5. The state's income from agriculture and allied
activities increased from Rs.18,923.24 lakhs in 1950-51 to 25,102.96 lakhs in
1960-61 of wh~ch the share of agriculture alone was Rs.16,884.4 lakhs and
Rs.2 1,995.68 lakhs respectively'6.
Agricultural Development from 1960-1990.
Agriculture in Kerala which has the distinction of having the highest
gross income per net cropped area at the very beginning of the plan era could
not sustain this after. The average gross income generated per hectare in
Kerala is Rs.3 1,468 while the national average is only ~s .14 ,178 '~ . The
average growth rate recorded by the Kerala agriculture between 1960 and
1990 is estimated to be 1.66 per cent as against the national average of 2.7 per
cent". The sectoral contribution made by the agriculture to the state's
domestic product declined from 54.6 per cent in 1960-61 to 42.6 per cent in
1972-73 and further to 34.47 per cent in 1990-91 in conformity with the
natural trends in the diversification of the economy. The growth rate of
agricultural income in Kerala was not stable, steady, consistent and uniform.
In the m ~ d seventies it was stagnant. During the 1980's it came out of the
stagnancy witnessed in the mid seventies. However this positive trend in
growth has not been steady and consistent. The reasons are multifold.
I". Achuyta Menon (1995) Government of Kerala, The Cochin state Manual. Chapter VI p.340.
16 Census of lndla 1961 vol VU Kerala part I A general report, p.211. 17 Government of Kerala (1998) Economic Review-Directorate of Economics and Statistics,
p.32. I X National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (2003), State Focus Paper, Kerala
2003-2004. Th~ruvanathapuram, p. 12
The Growth of Agriculture from 1990's to the Millennium
The growth rate of agriculture in Kerala fluctuated from just 0.43 per
cent in 1992-98 to over four per cent in 1997-98 and to 3.73 per cent in 2000-
2001. The pattern of growth shows variations among different crops, regions
and also in relation to the other sectors of the economy. The following table
3.4 shows the growth of agricultural income from 1960-61 to 2000-01 and the
sectoral contribution to the state's income.
Table 3.4
Growth of agricultural income in Kerala from 1960-61 to 2000-2001
# 1.66 per cent average rate of growth over the period from 1960-61 to 1990-91. Source: 1. Government of Kerala Agricultural statistics (various issues)
Department of Econon~ics and statistics- Thiruvanathapuram. 2. Government of Kerala - Economic review (various issues), Kerala state
planning Board-Thiruvanthapuram 3. Statistics for Planning (various issues) - Government of Kerala,
Department of Economics and Statistics- Thimvanthapuram. 4. Nat~onal Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (2003) State
Focus paper Kerala 2003-2004 Thimvanathapuram.
As noted by many studies the period following mid seventies has been
marked by a general decline in agriculture. The trend in growth rates of Net
State Domestic Product as well as primary sector during 1975-87 were either
negligible or negative. As summary table 3.5 is presented below.
Table 3.5
Trend growth rates of different sectors in Kerala economy
Another notable feature of the development of agriculture in Kerala is
Period I (1965-75)
- . -
Secondary
Tertiary 4.24 --
the increase in the share of population depending on this sector for
employment and income even though the share of agricultural income in Net
Period 1 Kannan K.P, Pusphangadhan K (1990) Disserting Agricultural stagnation in Kerala - An analysis across crops-seasons and regions - Economic and political weekly September 1990.
Period I1 & 111 K.N. Harilal and K.J Joseph (2000) Stagnation and Revival of Kerala Economy- an open Economy perspective C.D.S working paper No: 305.
Period I1 (1975-87)
1.99
-0.86
1.65
4.06
State Domestic Product is declining. 1991 census reveals that there was a net
Period 111 (1987-1997)
6.00
4.57
6.3 1
6.96
addition of 1.28 lakh cultivators and 2.03 lakh agricultural labourers in the
working population dependent on agriculture during the decennium ending
1991. The cultivators (10.15 lakhs) and agricultural labourers (21.70 lakhs)
together account for more than 37 per cent of the total working population.
According to 2001 census 38 per cent of the total working population is
engaged in agr~culture for their livelihood.
Under agriculture crop sector accounts for the largest share of state's
agricultural income. The balance sheet emerging from the agricultural
development of the state brings into light the unfinished tasks in agricultural
development for exploiting its potential. On the production front crop sector
in general shows a sound picture with plantation segment comprising of
rubber, tea, coffee, performing well till recently and the cash crops consisting
of coconut, arecanut, pepper, cashew-nut also performing reasonably well.
Food crops in general have suffered severe set back in production mainly on
account of the drastic reduction in area under rice and tapioca. Thus over the
years the state has transformed itself from a producer state to a consumer state
with respect to major agricultural commodities mainly food grains. At the
same time the state continues to remain as a major producer of commercial
and cash crops like pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, coconut, rubber, and
cashew. In the production of spices and condiments India is the world's
largest producer, consumer, and exporter with a share of 45 to 50 per cent of
world's spice trade in volume and 25 per cent by value. 8.5 per cent of India's
export earnings from agriculture and allied products come from spices which
constitute 1.24 per cent of the total export earnings during 1999-2000'~.
Kerala still holds near monopoly in the export of pepper (93 per cent) ginger
'" Cited In K.V Peter and E.V Nybe dominating global markets- The Hindu survey of Indian Agriculture 2002 p- 87 to 95.
(90 per cent), cardamom (47 per cent) coffee (68 per cent) tea (43 per cent)
turmeric (30 per cent) coir and coir products (90 per cent).
Table 3.0 presents the cropping pattern of Kerala from 1960-61 to
2000-2001. The agricultural sector of the state has undergone drastic
transformation. There is an incessant drift from rice based farming systems in
the low lying areas to perennial mono cropping systems. The shift in
cultivation area was mainly from rice to coconut and banana in the low lying
areas and from tapioca to rubber in the midlands and uplands.
Another ~mportant development in the agricultural front is the decrease
in the size of holdings and hence the predominance of the small and marginal
holdings leading to marginalisation of agriculture as a full time occupation.
The per capita availability of land in the state is ust 0.12 hectares as per the
census of India 200 1. The number and area of operational holdings in Kerala
as per 1995-96 Agricultural census is presented in table 3.7. It is reported that
85 per cent of coconut, 79 per cent of arecanut, 76 per cent of pepper, 60 per
cent of cashew. 55 per cent of rubber, 45 per cent of coffee, 91 per cent of
mango and 86 per cent of banana are grown in holdings of less than 2
hectares2'.
"I Cited in National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (2003), State's Focus Paper, Kerala 2003-2004.
Table 3.6
( 'ropping pattern of Kerala 1960-6 1 to 2000-2001
decrease (-)
Annual cash crops Ginger 0.5 0.4
Turmeric 0.2 0.2 Banana + 1 9 1.7
lantaln u 2 . 0 1.5
+ Sesamern ~
+ Cotton + Su arcane
4 4 . 6 Total - 3.8
Pepper Cashew 7.3
nut Total
Food crops Rice
Tapioca Pulses
Totalfood
Note: The data were obtained from various issues of season and crop reports- published by Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Kerala government.
Another significant indicator of the development of agriculture in
Kerala is the variations in the consumption of fertilizers (NPK) which was
97,531 tonnes in 1980-81, increased to more than 3 lakh tones in the
beginning of 1990's and declined to 1,73,205 tonnes in 2000-2001 recording
a decline (-18 per cent ) over the previous year. The average fertilizer
consumption per Ihaigross cropped area decreased to 57.7 kgms in 2000-2001
as against 71.19 Kgs in 1999-2000 which is not in the right direction as it is
much lower than the national average of 89.90 kgm/ha2'.
Table 3.7
Number and Area of operational Holdings in Kerala 1995-96- As per 1995-96 Agricultural Census
Class and size of holdings operational
holdings (lakhs) Marginal 59.18 1 93 69
(1 to 2 ha)
Semi-medium (2 t o4 ha) Medium 0.21
(4 to 10 ha) 0.31
Note: Figures in italics are percentage to total.
Average size of holdings (area in
hectares)
~~ ~ ~~
62.98 Total
L p-
Source: Centre for Monitoring, Indian Economy, September 1998 India's agricultural Statstics, cited in Farm guide 2003-farm information Bureau Government of Kerala- Thiruvanathapuram. P . l l .
Area (lakhs hectares)
0.18
1.36
2.60
5.27
9.11 53.24 3.50 20.46 2.43 14.20 1.04 6.08
55.74
0.33
1.03 6.02 17.11 100
Based on the above discussions, over the years of agricultural
transformation four parallel scenarios emerged in the farm front of Kerala.
1. Heterogeneous resource based multiple opportunity endowed crop-
livestock tree composed small and tiny homestead systems.
2. Homogenous single crop dominant small and medium sized crop-livestock
farming systems such as paddy based farming systems in Palakkad,
Kuttanad, and Kole and coconut based farming systems in the coastal
areas.
3. Mono- crop plantation crop sector of both farmer and estate management
spread over the high ranges, highlands, and of late spilling over to the
midlands.
4. Scattering of skill and labour intensive land and water based small
enterprises of an innovative nature requiring high levels of technology and
capital support.
The nature of and extent of interventions and support at the state level
vary between them.
In the above paragraphs we have examined the growth in Kerala
agriculture and the changing trends. But it is well admitted that agriculture
can prosper and creatively contribute towards the development of the state
only if sufficient funds are allocated for the sectoral growth. Fund allocations
are usually decided based on the Five Year Plan strategies. Hence, it is
appropriate and timely to evaluate the priorities given for agricultural
development in the state under the Five Year Plans.
3.5 Agricultural Development UNDER THE Five Year Plans - Strategy
Planning is an ongoing process in the overall development of the
nation embrac~ng the expectations of millions of people for their socio-
economic well being. The five year plans implemented in Kerala attached
considerable importance to this sector for accelerating the growth of the
economy as well as for employment generation. The sectoral strategy
approved under the earlier plans laid emphasis on both vertical and horizontal
growth in agriculture i.e., the emphasis was on both intensive and extensive
cultivation. However from the Sixth Five Year plan onwards the focus is on
vertical growth. The approach of the various five year plans projected for crop
development shows certain general features and uniform pattern in outlook
and content. They can be summarized as below.
a) Augmenting the yield of both food crops and commercial crops
through ~nfrastructural development and better management.
b) Diversification of the production base by integrating all the land based
activities with a view to maximize the income from the small holdings.
c) Attain a high level of nutritional security by promoting the cultivation
of fruits, vegetables and pulses. The following table 3.8 gives an
account of the total outlays and expenditure for agricultural
development under the various Five Year Plans.
Table 3.8
Outlays and expenditure on agriculture and allied activities in Kerala ----- -~ ,
I !
I Plans j Period 'year
1
1lUd 1956-61 87.01 LI
142.54 36.80
1969-74 258.40
1974-79 752.84
Annual 1990-9 1 635.40
Annual 199 1-92
1992-97 5460.00
1997-2002 16100-00 1100.18
1109.00 2002-2007 24000
(319.28): -
* Allocation offer agriculture in 2002-2003 Kerala state budget for 2002-03.
Source: L ) Kerala State Planning Board, Economic Review (various issues),
Thiruvanathapuram.
2) Farm guide (Various issues) Farm Information Bureau, Government of Kerala, Thiruvanathapuram.
Government support under the five year plans was mostly in the form
of financial assistance for infrastructural development, popularization of new
technologies, organizing the input delivery system, providing research and
education support etc. The Ninth Five Year plan of Kerala and the Ninth Five
Year plan have suggested a paradigm shift in the approach for agricultural
development. Under the new strategy the emphasis was on the optimal
utilization of the biological resources in an integrated manner under a
participatory approach through improvement in yield and quality. With the
introduction of' decentralized planning and the launching of the people's,
planning campaign, the responsibility for planning and implementation of
development projects in agricultural sector along with the required resources
have been transferred from the state to the local bodies to usher a new
dynamism for revitalizing the agricultural sector of the state. In consequence
the share of the plan outlay for agriculture and allied activities has been
reduced from 13.76 per cent in the Eighth Five Year Plan to 6.46 per cent in
the Ninth Five Year Plan and further to 4.62 per cent in Tenth Five Year Plan.
The strategy is one of maximizing the income from a unit of land through a
systems approach to resource use and management integrating crop livestock
and fisheries. The focus will be on ensuring the livelihood security to the
population depending on agriculture, rather than enhancing commodity
production, especially the income base of the marginal, small farmers and
agricultural labourers. For achieving this the natural strengths and advantages
emanating from the favourable resource endowments of the state has to be
strengthened. Further the competitive edge of the state's agriculture has to be
sharpened through improvement in quality and reduction in cost. The state
level machinery will have to assume a different role under the new
dispensation of Panchayat Raj and play primarily that of a facilitating role
which enable the local bodies in discharging their responsibility more
effectively. To achieve this a specific approach and strategy has been adopted
under the Tenth Five Year Plan which includes,
b) Shift from crop based approach to an area based approach related to
farming systems and homesteads.
c) Scientific delineation of agro-ecological zones within two years.
d) Re-orientation of extension services to utilize the modem
commun~cation technology to help the farmer become competitive.
e) Improvement of the delivery system to extend modem technologies
and practices like organic farming and appropriate biotechnology.
f) Value addition as the key element of the agricultural development
strategy.
3.6 Major Challenges of Kerala Agriculture
Agriculture is intended to become not merely an efficient, eco-friendly
production system capable of meeting the basic demands of the rapidly
increasing population, but it has to become a major powerful instrument for a
comprehensive socio-economic transformation of the state including
improvement in the quality of life of every individual. The agricultural
economy in Kerala in the millennium and post WTO regime has to face many
challenges. To meet these challenges a development perspective different
from that pursued in the past has to be evolved.
Agriculture in Kerala is at cross roads. Production and yield of all
important crops probably with the sole exemption of rubber is either stagnant
or on the decline. Even in the case of rubber the yield realized is far below the
potential. Thus the vital sector is losing its dynamism and resilience it had in
the past. Most of the crops are affected by diseases like root wilt decease of
coconut, presence of coconut mite (mandari), quick and slow wilt decease of
pepper, bunchy top decease of banana etc. Value addition and product
diversification is not taking place to the desired level due to the inadequacies
of agro-processing facilities. Wide fluctuations in prices have affected most of
the crops. Integration of the domestic economy with that of the global
economy and its subsequent commitments made to international community
via the WTO commitments have adversely affected the prices and income of
the farming community of the state especially of the farmers producing
arecanut, pepper. coconut, rubber, tea, coffee, etc. The fall in prices now
being experienced is all pervasive and as a result even the advantage of mixed
cropping followed by the state of Kerala in the form of high degree of
resilience to meet adverse conditions has dissipated. High cost of production
due to higher wages and high cost of land is another limiting factor. Thus
agriculture in Kerala is facing a serious crisis with the maladies of low yleld,
high cost of production, and increasing international competition resulting in
lower prices and farm income. The review of the agriculture made in this
chapter helped to identify the basic features, issues and problems of Kerala
agriculture.
3.7 Issues and Problems of Kerala Agriculture
Basic and unique features of Kerala agriculture are:
1. Predominance of cash and commercial crops
2. Market oriented agriculture with emphasis in export or import
subst~tut~on.
3. Wide variety of crops - seasonal, annual and perennial
4. Preponderance of perennial crops with long gestation period and heavy
investment
5. Prevalence of mixed farming and intercropping
6. Existence of high value spice crops
7. Dispersed settlement pattern with homestead cultivation and backyard
system of livestock keeping.
8. High pressure of population on land resulting in tiny holdings
9. co-existence of well organized plantation sector, unorganized small
farming sector and subsistence food crop sector and
10.Emergence of large number of part-time farmers and increasing
number of absentee farmers.
24 25 Based both on the findings of various studiesz2, reports23, task force ,
and on our own analysis of the agricultural scenario of the state a number of
basic problems and important issues were identified which include,
" Pillai P.P (1994) Kerala Economy- Four decades of development, Institute Planning and Applied Econom~cs Research John Matthai Foundation University of Calicut.
K.P. Kannan K. Pushpangadhan (1990) Dissecting Agricultural stagnation in Kerala An analysis across crops seasons and regions working paper No: 238 Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvanthapuram
2' Report of the Swaminathan Commission on Kerala Agriculture (2003). 24 Government of Kerala, Report of the Taskforce on Agricultural Infrastructure 1997-2002 IX th Five Year Plan, State Planning Board
'5 Government of Kerala, Report of the Taskforce on Field Crops 1997-2002 IXth Five Year Plan, State Planning Board.
1. Failure to formulate a policy and strategy suitable for Kerala
Agriculture and to design and develop appropriate technology and
infrastructure to meet the special requirements of small farmers.
2. Absence of scientific and systematic crop planning consistent with land
capability and ecological sustainability.
3. Damage to the ecological foundations essential for sustained
agricultural advance such as land, water, forests, and bio diversity.
4. Low level of investment both public and private.
5. Mismatch between production and post harvest technologies and
between production and market demand due to lack of marketing and
processing facilities and linkages with industries.
6. Lack of cost effectiveness and efficiency of production, the basic
principal of globalization resulting in an unequal trade bargain in the
post W 1 0 regime.
7. Absence of systematic programmes for the replanting of perennial
plantation crops.
8. The fiscal policy of the state is not conducive to agricultural
development.
9. Increasing incidence of pests and deceases for crops
10.Fast and continuous decline in the size of holdings and emergence of
large number of part time and absentee farmers.
11. Failure to evolve a price support mechanism to ensure stable and
remunerative prices.
12. Emergence of new social values downgrading agriculture and farming
community in social status and prestige.
These threats, issues and problems both internal and external can be
challenged and solved through integrated attention to regulation, education
and social mobilization through Panchayati Raj institutions, restructured
research strategies, farmer owned and controlled extension services, input
delivery system and technical resource centers for monsoon management and
water security etc. Measures have to be adopted and implemented by the
government in this direction to recognize and develop agriculture as a worth
while occupation, capable of ensuring a decent living with dignity and social
status to farmers. The vitality and dynamism of Kerala agriculture has to be
restored and regained through the judicious use of scarce resources of land,
water, rural manpower and technology with focus on increasing production
and yleld in a planned manner. Efforts must also be made to optimize farm
income through value addition. Possibilities of economic incentives, massive
rehabilitation programme for coconut , cashew, pepper and social security
measures may be explored.
Thus the outlook of the future of the economy of the state would
depend largely on the measures that would be taken to sustain the tempo of
development achieved in the agricultural sector and to make agriculture
globally competitive. For this a supportive agricultural policy and public and
private investment in potential areas viz. minor irrigation, horticulture,
storagelmarket yards, water shed development, agro-processing,