Introduction

“The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells
everything at wholesale and pays the freight both ways”

John F. Kennedy
Rapid growth of agriculture is critical for inclusiveness and livelihood security.
Even though agriculture accounts for only 9 percent of Gross State Domestic Product
(GSDP), it is still the main source of livelihood for the majority of the rural population.
The focus area of 12th five year plan of the state in agriculture is on improving viability of
small farms, safety nets, risk management, social capital development and service delivery.
The failure to achieve targeted growth in agriculture has resulted from the inadequacies of
the provision of the critical public goods such as extension services, surface irrigation, rural
infrastructure, as well as on inadequate institutional and financial support.

_____________________________________________________________________

After two decades of indefensible neglect, agriculture must be back on agenda

_____________________________________________________________________

Agriculture first
The agenda for change should consider the central role of agriculture and food
security in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. Agriculture first should be the
policy to spark a revolution by establishing agriculture as a top priority by boosting
Government spending and targeting small and marginal farmers.

Theodore Schultz began his acceptance speech for the 1979 Nobel Prize in
Economics observing,

―Most of the people in the World are poor, so if we knew the economics of being
poor we would know much of the economics that really matters. Most of the world‘s poor
people earn their living from agriculture. So if we knew the economics of agriculture, we
would know much of the economics of being poor‖.

(Shultz, 1979)

1
 Farmers in the State are subject to much greater risk in recent plan periods. The
frequency and severity of risks in agriculture have increased on account of climate
variability and this has been accompanied by much greater variability of world prices and
their quicker transmission into the domestic economy due to greater integration with world
economy resulting in fluctuation of growth performance of agricultural income. Similarly
performance of crop output is strongly affected by rainfall which results in sharp year to
year fluctuation in growth of crop output, since more than 80 % of cropped area in Kerala
is rain fed. Adequate safety nets are to be provided to farmers against risks and
uncertainties.

The Task Force on Agriculture development has been constituted by the Kerala
State Planning Board and issued order dated 5th May 2015. The order is enclosed as Annex.

The Task Force Report was prepared after detailed discussion of subsector wise key
issues followed by processing of 12th Five Year Plan document, working group reports
prepared for 12th Plan, sectoral papers, agricultural development policy, study reports,
Perspective Plan 2030, analysis of secondary data and inputs from the departments. The
agricultural development policy for the Sate was approved in 2015. The policy was
prepared after elaborate discussion at various levels for nearly two years, followed by
discussion in the State Assembly. The summary of the agricultural development policy is
enclosed as Annex 2.

The task force report is presented in the following chapters:

1. Agriculture in Kerala- Past and Present - an overview

2. Towards a Perspective on Agriculture Green Growth
3. Strategic Framework
4. Support from Government of India
5. Best Practices

2
Chapter 1

1.1: Agriculture in Kerala - Past and Present: an Overview

1.1.1: Diminishing share of agriculture in both GSDP and workforce

Though agriculture still plays a significant role in the national and state economies,
growth in the sector has slowed down especially since 1990-91.The estimates of annual
trend growth rates of gross domestic product of agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors
along with that of overall agriculture and allied sectors and non-agricultural sector in
Kerala are presented in Table 1.1 These estimates show that agriculture (including
livestock) exhibited a modest growth of 2.53 per cent during the 1990s, but displayed poor
performance (0.27 per cent) during the decade after 2000. A similar deceleration in growth
was noticed in the forestry and logging sector too, but the fishery sector experienced a
slight improvement in growth from −0.37 per cent to 0.32 per cent. Overall, agriculture in
Kerala experienced a slower growth during the last decade with all its sub-sectors losing
growth momentum (except fishery, but the growth rates are fairly low), whereas the non-
agricultural sector grew faster during this period.

Table 1.1 Trend Growth Rates in GSDP (2004−05 Prices) of Various Sub-sectors in
Kerala
(% per year)

Sector 1990−91 to 1999−00 2000−01 to 2010−11 2013-14#

Agriculture* 2.53 0.27 -2.8
Forestry and Logging 3.69 2.00 3.4
Fishery −0.37 0.32 5.43
Agriculture and allied
2.34 0.46 -1.36
sectors
Non-Agriculture 6.24 9.41
All sectors 5.25 7.96 6.27
Note: *GSDP Agriculture includes both crops and livestock.#Quick estimate (Directorate of Economics and statistics)
Data Sources: National Accounts Statistics and Central Statistical Office, Directorate of Economics and statistics

The relatively low growth of agriculture has resulted in the share of agriculture and
allied sectors in GSDP declining steeply from 32.6 per cent in 1980−81 to 10.6 per cent in
2010−11 and 8.83 per cent in 2013-14. Agriculture alone accounted for about 6.8 per cent
of total GSDP in Kerala in 2013-14.

3
1.1.2: Land-use Pattern

Agricultural land-use changes in Kerala during the past half-century were marked
by an initial increase in gross cropped area followed by shifts in the coverage of individual
crops. The total area under cultivation as a percentage of geographical area in the state
increased from 60.8 per cent in 1960-61 to 77.3 per cent in 2000-01 but thereafter it
suffered a decline in the last one decade to 67 per cent in 2013-14, mainly due to the
reduction in ‗area sown more than once‘ which fell from 8.15 lakhs ha in 2000-01 to 5.65
lakh ha in 2013-14. Meanwhile barren and uncultivable land as well as cultivable waste
lands also showed tremendous decline during the last fifty years implying that much of the
land that was put idle were reclaimed for productive purposes The land put to non-
agricultural use on the other hand has registered an increased from 5.3 percent of the
geographical area to 10 per cent in 2013-14. (96 per cent increase) However, the total
cropped area has increased only 10 per cent during the period. This suggests that much of
the land that was reclaimed for productive use was mainly utilized for non-agricultural
purposes.

1.1.3: Skewed Cropping Pattern

The cropping pattern of the state has also undergone a dramatic shift since the
sixties with a large skew towards cash crops. The area under food crops decreased from 45
per cent of the total cropped area to 10.32 per cent between 1960-61 and 2013-14, while
the area under cash crops increased from 36.6 per cent to 62.30 per cent during the same
period. The emergence of cash crops as the dominant crop is the most notable feature of
Kerala‘s agricultural development in the last five decades. The main reason for such drastic
fall in the area under food crops is the drastic fall in the area under paddy which is
increasingly being replaced by coconut and rubber, which are more remunerative and less
labour absorbing. . From 40.49 per cent of Net Sown Area (NSA) in 1960-61, the area
under paddy has come down to 15 per cent in 2000-01 and to 9.7 per cent of the NSA in
2013-14. The area under tapioca and pulses (the other two major food crops have also
declined (12.59 per cent to 2.29 per cent –tapioca and pulses -2.29 per cent to 0.14 per
cent.) Meanwhile, the share of coconut as well as rubber (the major cash crops) in NSA has
increased from 26.03 per cent to 39.4 per cent and 6.39 per cent to 26.7 per cent

4
respectively in the last five decades. Today rice occupies only third position in area under
cultivation, among all the crops way behind rubber and coconut

Fig: 1.1 Share of food crops and cash crops in the total cropped area of Kerala
1960-61 and 2013-14
1960-61 2013-14

10%
18%
28%

45%

37%
62%

Food crops CASH CROPS OTHERS Food crops CASH CROPS OTHERS

1.1.4: Cropping Systems

In Kerala four major types of cropping systems are followed viz. 1)rice based
system in low lands with single or two crops of paddy, summer vegetables, pulses or oil
seeds with or without aquaculture component, 2) coconut based mixed cropping system
comprising a number of intercrops like pepper, arecanut, cocoa, clove, banana, vegetables,
green manures and cover crops,3) mono crop rubber plantations and 4)homesteads, unique
to Kerala comprising a large number of components like trees, food and fodder crops,
livestock, fishery and poultry. Apart from these there are other systems like where rubber is
the major crop with cover crops, apiary etc. In hilly areas of Wayanad coffee is also a
prominent component in the homesteads. Other cropping systems prevalent in selected
areas of the State include pepper, coffee, arecanut and banana based systems. However in
the past few decades most of the wetlands have been converted to non-agricultural
purposes and secondly the mixed cropping systems revolving around homesteads have
been converted to monocrop like rubber.

5
1.1.5: Crop wise analysis - Comprehensive decline since 90’s
When individual crops are taken, on a time series basis what emerges is that there
has been a comprehensive decline in the growth rates of area as well as production of all
the major crops ever since the 90‘s .The growth performance of six crops in area coverage,
production and productivity are shown in Table 1.2 below. In order to work out the
compound growth rates, the total period has been divided into three periods covering 1960-
61 to 1974-75 as the first period being the period of peak food crop production, 1975-76 to
1991-91 and 1992-93 to 2011-12 being two periods before and after economic
liberalization respectively. It can be seen from the graph that rice, tapioca, coconut and
pepper have all shown negative growth rates in the third phase(1992-93 to-2011-12), it
being sharpest for rice while banana and plantains as well as rubber have shown positive
growth rates. Whereas in production rice as well as rubber and to an extend tapioca have
shown negative growth rates, while the other crops have shown positive growth rates. In
the second phase, except tapioca and rice all the other crops showed positive growth rates
in area as well as production while in the first phase all the crops showed positive growth
rates in area as well as production. This shows the extent of decline suffered in the third
phase in terms of area as well as production. However productivity has shown slight
improvement in the same period.

Table 1.2 Compound growth rate in area, production and productivity

Compound annual growth rate of important crops during three periods
Area Production Productivity
1960- 1975- 1992-
Crops 1960-61 1975-76 1992-93 1960-61 1975-76 1992-93
61 to 76 to 93 to
to 74-75 to 91-92 to 11-12 to 74-75 to 91-92 to 11-12
74-75 91-92 11-12
Rice 0.83 -2.79 -4.63 1.49 -1.33 -3.18 0.66 1.5 1.53
Coconut 2.71 1.3 -0.33 0.83 1.78 0.74 -1.83 0.47 1.08
Rubber 3.38 4.34 0.98 11.91 6.05 3.94 8.25 1.64 2.94
Pepper 1.15 2.97 -0.4 0.22 4.3 -1.33 -0.92 1.29 -0.93
Banana/ 0.4 1.3 2.33 0.73 1.35 2.45 0.33 0.06 0.12
Plantains
Tapioca 1.83 -4.79 -2.93 8.37 -4.07 -0.16 6.42 0.75 2.86
Source: Derived from Directorate of Economics and Statistics Data

6
 Figure 1.2. Compound growth area in Area and Production of major crops in three
periods

Tapioca Tapioca
Banana/ Plantains Banana/ Plantains
Pepper Pepper
Rubber Rubber
Coconut Coconut
Rice Rice

-10 -5 0 5 -5 0 5 10 15

Area 1992-93 to 11-12 Production 1992-93 to 11-12

Area 1975-76 to 91-92 Production 1975-76 to 91-92
Area 1960-61 to 74-75 Production 1960-61 to 74-75

In crop wise analysis, Paddy is the major crop which has undergone a shift and
was replaced by more remunerative and less labour absorbing crops like rubber, coconut,
banana etc. During the first two decades (1960-61 and 1970-71) there was not much
change in the area under cultivation of paddy with respect to the net sown area in the state.
The paddy area started declining from 1980‘s and the per cent area under cultivation to the
NSA declined to 24.90 % by 1990. The decline in paddy area under cultivation was more
prominent since 2000 and irrespective of several policy efforts this major food crop now
(2013-14) occupies only 9.73 % of the net sown area in the state.

The total area under cultivation of coconut was not much affected probably on
account of the fact that many of the paddy fields were reclaimed and planted with coconut
during the period (Fig.1.3). Since 2000 the coconut area with respect to the NSA started to
decline. However, the recent trend indicated that the area under cultivation improved to
8.08 lakh ha in 2013-14 which is promising.

Pepper area in the state was on increase in 1960s and 1970s with a slight reduction
in area during 1980s. The prominence of pepper in the cropping system of the state was
established by 2000 and the total area under cultivation increased to 9.16 % of the NSA in

7
the state, occupying 2.02 lakh ha area. Now the area has declined to 0.84 lakh ha (2013-
14).

The rubber crop acquired prominence in Kerala land use pattern by making dramatic
shifts in the cropping pattern over the decades. In 1960 the crop was cultivated on a mere
1.23 lakh ha area occupying only 6.39 % of the NSA. The area under Rubber cultivation
increased each year steadily many times replacing the food crops and in 2013-14, the crop
occupied 26.73 % of the NSA and 20.95% of the gross cropped area in Kerala spreading
over an area of 5.48 lakh ha.

Adverse factor price ratios of food crops, favourable price regimes of cash crops
combined with institutional support have contributed to the shift in cropping pattern.

Fig 1.3 Percentage area under cultivation of four major crops to (NSA) since 1960

Cropping Pattern in Kerala

50
40
30 Share of rice in NSA (%)
20 Share of coconut in NSA (%)
10 Share of pepper in NSA (%)
0
Share of rubber in NSA (%)

1.1.6: Structural shift in the composition of agricultural output

The differential performance of crops in terms of area, production and prices over
the last two decades has resulted in significant alteration in the composition of value of
product (VOP) from crops. These variations are depicted in Figure 1.4. During the
Triennium Ending (TE) 1990–91, coconut topped the list of crops with the highest share of
28 per cent in total VOP from crops. Other major contributors to output were rice (11 per
cent), rubber (10 per cent) and tapioca (9 per cent) with other crops contributing 5 per cent
or less individually. However, by TE 2008–09, the scenario underwent a major change
with the share of VOP from rubber rising to 40 per cent and the contribution of coconut
declining to 15 per cent. The share of rice got squeezed to a mere 4 per cent while that of
8
tapioca to 7 per cent. The share of pepper also decreased to 3 per cent from 5 per cent
during this span of time. Other minor crops such as tea, cashew nut and so on also lost their
share, to a smaller extent. On a different note, banana improved its position with a share of
5 per cent in TE 2008–09 from 3 per cent in the previous period.

A general point emerging from the crop shift outlined above is that agriculture in
Kerala has witnessed a decline in net area sown and also the increasing importance of
commercial crops such as rubber.

Figure 1.4: Shares of VOP of Major Crops in Kerala: TE 1990−91 and

TE 2008−09
TE 1990−91 TE 2008−09

Source: Agricultural Statistics at a Glance, 2011

1.1.7: Low Productivity in crops since last five decades

The productivity of most of the crops cultivated in the State is very low. The
prevalence of the debilitating coconut root (wilt) disease, existence of a large number of
senile and unproductive palms and growing of coconuts in unsuitable areas and lower
investment due to inadequate incentives are the major reasons attributed to the low
productivity of coconut compared to other states or countries. The productivity of coconut
over the past few decades has been almost stable with slight improvement in the current
decade. The productivity of pepper has improved since 1980s and the present pepper
productivity is still very low compared to other countries. In the case of cashew, despite
operating special schemes for expansion of area, the productivity has been steadily
declining during the last two decades. Kerala has a substantial share in the four plantation
crops, viz, rubber, tea, coffee and cardamom. In the plantation segment, rubber is the only

9
crop which could maintain steady and stable performance in productivity. Increase in
production would be possible mainly from improvements in productivity through the use of
location specific technology generation and adoption and modernisation of agriculture. The
stabilisation and augmentation of productivity assume critical importance, given the limited
scope for increasing area under cultivation of various crops. The average productivity of
major crops over the past five decades is shown in Table 1.3.

Table1.3 Average productivity of major crops, Kg/ha

Name of Commodity 1970-71 1980-81 1990-91 2000-01 2013-14
Rice 1477 1587 1942 2162 2827
Coconut* 5536 4618 5239 5980 7322
Cashew nut 1122 580 888 718 680
Pepper 213 264 278 301 350
Cardamom 26 55 52 184 352
Tea 1103 1402 1827 1876 2084
Coffee 430 634 475 833 781
Rubber 439 590 800 1222 1182
Source: Department of Economics and Statistics
*nuts/ha

A comparison of the productivity of five major crops of Kerala with their

productivity levels in neighbouring states, and other countries have been done in Table 1.4.
The productivity of rice in Kerala is the lowest (2827 Kg/ha) among other southern states
though it is higher than the National Average (2424 Kg/ha). China which is the major
producer of rice in the world has almost three times the productivity (6744 Kg/ha) of rice
in Kerala. The productivity of rice in Egypt is the highest in the world (9088 Kg/ha) which
is nearly fourfold of our productivity. The productivity of Pepper in Vietnam which is the
major producer in the world is nearly 15 times higher (3239 Kg/ha) than our current
productivity.

10
 Table 1.4 Productivity of major crops in 2013-14 (kg/ha) and the comparison with
other states and countries

Sl. Crop Country having Productivity of

Pradesh

Karnata
Andhra
Kerala highest productivity top producer of

Tamil
Nadu
No

India
in world (Average world

ka
from 1992-2012)
1 Rice 2827 3100 2891 2828 2424 Egypt- 9088 China-6744
2 Pepper 350 - - - 400 Cambodia-5997 Vietnam- 3239
3 Coconut* 7322 10236 14997 11808 10615 Peru- 19733 Indonesia-8280
4 Rubber 1182 1273 - 622 1206 Mexico-1988 Thailand-1640
Sources: FAOSTAT 2013, Spices Board, Rubber Board, Agriculture Statistics at a glance, 2014, Directorate of
Economics & statistics, GoI, Coconut Development Board *Nuts/ ha

In case of coconut also, the productivity in Kerala is lower (7322nuts/ ha) than that
of other three southern states. Among major producers, productivity is highest in Andhra
Pradesh. National average of coconut productivity is higher than that of Kerala. Indonesia
is the major producer of coconut in the world with a productivity of 8280 nuts/ha. Data
average from 1992 to 2012 show that productivity of coconut is highest in Peru (19733
nuts/ha; FAOSTAT, 2013). Thailand which is the major rubber producer of the world has a
productivity of 1640 kg/ha. Mexico is the country having highest rubber productivity in the
world (1988 kg/ha). Differences in technology adoption, unattractive incentive structure,
institutional factors and the nature of technology, plant health dimension and debilitating
plant diseases, extension gaps and inadequate location specific technologies are some of
the reasons for the poor productivity of crops in the State. Apart from analysis of
productivity at State level the mapping of yield gaps on agro-ecological unit basis will
provide space for developmental interventions on project mode for substantial gains.

1.1.8: Agrarian sans agriculture

Though known to be an agrarian state, agriculture has ceased to be the principal

economic activity in Kerala. The Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households
conducted at national level in NSSO 70th round (January-December 2013) published in
2014 to collect information on various aspects of farming have actually posed a question
regarding the agrarian nature of the state. Kerala had the least percentage share of
agricultural households in the country i.e.; 27.3 per cent and nearly, 61 per cent of the

11
agricultural households reported to have earned income from activities other than
agriculture. Mere 16 per cent reported cultivation as main source of income and 0.6 per
cent reported livestock as main source of income. All the major states except Kerala
reported agricultural activity (cultivation, livestock and other activity) as principal source
of income With regard to indebtedness of agricultural households 52 per cent of the
agricultural households in the country were estimated to indebted, the average amount of
loan outstanding being Rs 47000/-. Shockingly for Kerala 77.7 per cent of the agricultural
households were found to be indebted, the average amount of loan to be a massive Rest.
213600/-, the highest in the country during last 365 days.

Figure: 1.5 Situation assessment survey 2014; findings relevant for Kerala
100
90 Andhra Pradesh
77.7 Bihar
80
70 Chattisgarh
61
60 Gujarat

50 Haryana

40 Jharkhand

30 27.3 Karnataka

20 Kerala

10 Madhyapradesh

0 Mharahtra
Agricultural hh as a % of Proportion of Percentage of agri hh Punjab
rural hh agricultural houeholds reported non agr activity
indebted as main source of Rajasthan
income

1.1.9: Low Irrigation Status

The status of irrigation in the state is quite low with majority of famers depending
on monsoons for water .Out of the gross cropped area of 26.17 lakh ha in Kerala only 17.6
percentage is under irrigation cover which is far below the national average of 35 per cent
Well and government canals are the main source of irrigation. Among the crops, coconut
leads with the highest share of irrigated area, followed by paddy, banana and arecanut.

12
1.1.10: Low farm mechanization

Farm mechanisation has also been abysmally low in Kerala. Even though labour
availability for agricultural operations has decreased in Kerala over the years, a
commensurate improvement in mechanisation did not take place. The numbers of major
implements used for agricultural purposes in Kerala, based on the Livestock Census 2003,
are presented in Table 1.5 (This is the latest available data on agricultural implements at
the state level).

Table 1.5 Number of Agricultural Implements Used for Agricultural Purposes in

Kerala: 2003

Type of Machinery Rural Urban Total Number − 1000 ha of GCA

Power operated implements
Power tillers 1,702 603 1,765 0.60
Tractors 2,061 77 2,138 0.72
Mouldboard Plough 153 8 161 0.05
Cultivator 274 5 279 0.09
Disc harrow 254 17 271 0.09
Rotavator 35 1 36 0.10
Animal operated implements
Cultivator 934 5 939 0.32
Disc harrow 672 16 688 0.23
Seed-fertiliser drill 610 4 614 0.21
Leveller 7,453 248 7,701 2.61
Wetland puddler 378 3 381 0.13
Sugarcane crusher 69 1 70 0.02
Source: Livestock Census, 2003

On a per hectare basis, the density of implements was found to be very low in
Kerala. This was much lower compared to other states. For instance, the density of use in
the case of power tillers and tractors were 0.60 and 0.72 respectively. These were much
lower than those for Haryana (30.3 for tractor, 4.1 for tiller), Punjab (37.8 for tractor, 4.5
for tiller) and southern states such as Tamil Nadu (9.4 for tractor, 1.9 for tiller) and
Karnataka (5.3 for tractor, 2.4 for tiller). The relatively smaller size of farm holdings in
Kerala, decreasing area under paddy and other field crops, predominance of plantation
crops and so on could be the key reasons for this observed pattern. A disaggregated
analysis indicates that the marginal and small holders that comprise about 98 per cent of
the total farm households in Kerala have much lower intensity of farm mechanisation.

13
Considering that the agricultural wage rates are rather high and that there is a shortage of
agricultural labour, low levels of mechanisation have constrained productivity growth.

1.1.11: Wide gap between supply and demand of planting materials

Although the intensity of application of fertilizers as well as seeds have increased

tremendously in the state there exists a wide gap between the supply and demand of
planting materials Kerala is a relatively low fertiliser consuming state in relation to other
major agricultural states in the country. Organo-phosphorous chemicals are banned in the
State. In 2013-14, the total consumption of NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potash) in Kerala
was estimated to be 121.03 kg per ha of NSA This was much lower than the levels
consumed in neighbouring states such as Tamil Nadu (153.76), Karnataka (136.06kg per
ha) and Andhra Pradesh (226.72kg per ha). The growth rate in fertiliser consumption
during the last two decades (1990−91 to 2009−10) was also the lowest (0.88 per cent per
year) in Kerala, while other states registered an annual rate of growth between 2−6 per
cent. One reason why Kerala consumed less could be that its cropping pattern is dominated
by plantation crops, which require relatively lower amounts of fertilisers. The general
preference of people towards organic food could have also contributed to this pattern. What
is worrisome is that despite low consumption, there remains a gap between demand for and
supply of fertilisers (Table 1.6). In 2011−12, Kerala required around 649,000 tonnes of
fertilisers. Out of this, 565,000 tonnes were made available by the state government and the
total sales realised were 531,000 tonnes. This suggests that, there was a gap of around
118,000 tonnes of fertilisers to be met during this period.

Table 1.6: Requirement, Availability and Sales of Major Fertilisers in Kerala:

2011−12
(‘000 tonnes)
Item Requirement Availability Sales
Urea 182 150 149
MOP 45 44 41
DAP 175 151 142
Complex 247 220 199
Total 649 565 531
Note: MOP: Muriate of Potash; DAP: Di-ammonium Phosphate
Source: Lok Sabha un-starred question accessed through Indiastat, 2012

14
 Total

Complex

DAP Availability
Requirement

MOP

Urea

0 200 400 600 800

1.1.12: Seeds: Gap between the supply and requirement

Quality seeds and planting material help a long way in enhancing productivity of
crops Hence the government of Kerala has made concerted efforts producing and
delivering quality seeds to the farmers. Certified seed production in Kerala is almost
entirely from the government sector, unlike in other states. More than half the certified
seeds are sourced from the state Department of Agriculture, whereas the rest are met from
National Seeds Corporation or other government-approved agencies. At present, there are
33 state seed farms, 10 district farms, 10 special farms, and 8 coconut nurseries functioning
in Kerala with the purpose of delivery quality seeds and planting material to farmers (GoK,
2012). The major share of certified seeds is of improved paddy varieties, vegetables and
other minor crops. The state government also produces and distributes coconut and
arecanut seedlings, rooted pepper cuttings, cashew grafts, tissue culture banana plants,
grafts of other fruit crops and so on through Krishi Bhavans and other seed outlets.

For Kerala, the annual seed requirement worked out to be 12,000 tonnes, whereas
the actual availability was 10,900 tonnes. This means actual availability fell short of the
requirement. The other states where availability falls short of requirement are Odisha, Uttar
Pradesh (UP) and West Bengal. In a majority of other states, however, seed availability
exceeds requirement, indicative of the dynamic role played by seed producers and
distributors in these states.

15
1.1.13: Credit –biased towards short term loans
The share of Agriculture credit as a percentage of total credit has shown an
increasing trend in the last ten years, after a fall in the nineties, notwithstanding the decline
in the share of agriculture in the GSDP of the state. Also, over the years, the role of formal
institutions in the total credit availed by farmer households has shown a remarkable
increase with the lead role played by commercial banks ever since bank nationalization
followed by cooperatives and RRBs. The agency wise break up of annual credit flows to
agriculture shows that, in 2012-13 out of the total Agriculture advances, commercial
banks advances constitute a major chunk, disbursing 68.6 % of the total, followed by co-
operatives (22.6%) and RRBs (8.9 %).

Figure1.7: Agency wise disbursement of Agricultural credit

100%
90%
80%
70%
Co-operatives including
60%
KSCARDB
50%
RRBs
40%
30%
20% Commercial Banks
10%
0%

However, starting from 2000, the share of production credit (which accounts for
major portion of the credit) in the total agricultural credit has been going up whereas the
share of investment credit has come down from 21 per cent in 1999-2000 to 11 % in
2011-12. (It has picked up albeit marginally in the last two years). This is not favourable
for accelerating agricultural growth. A balance between short term and long term
investment credit ought to be brought in to maintain sustainable agricultural growth. The
declining share of investment credit indicated that farmers seem to borrow more short term
credit in order to meet their input needs to maintain continuity in agricultural operation and
do not pay adequate attention to capital formation for agriculture. Also, the government has

16
not made available the benefit of subvention for investment credit resulting in relatively
high cost of the same (13%).

100%
80% Production credit
Percentage

60%
Investment credit
40%
20% Linear ( Production
0% credit)
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
1999-2000
2000-2001

Linear (Investment
credit)

Also, of the total advances of Rs192010 crores in 2013-14 gold loans by banking
sector comes to 43382.crores (22per cent), out of which agricultural gold loans comes to
the tune of Rs 34521.23 crores. (17.97 per cent of the total advances). Disaggregated data
shows that as much as 92 per cent of the gold loan disbursed by the public sector banks
comes under agricultural gold loan, while for the private sector banks it is 41 per cent and
for cooperative banks it is 78 per cent. This shows that there is indiscriminate issue of
agricultural gold loans without ensuring its end use. Also this could be one reason for
increasing share of crop loans but no proportionate increase in output or agricultural
income. It may be observed that despite a fourfold increase in the credit flow during the
period from 2005-06 to 2010-11, there has been a decline in agriculture income on an
absolute basis and the percentage of agricultural income to GSDP of agriculture and allied
sectors has been continuously declining. Therefore there is a need to look into the end use
of the credit from banks towards crop loan.

1.1.14: Low share of capital formation in agricultural GSDP

The long-term trends in estimated public, private and total capital formation in
agriculture are plotted in Figure 1.9 below. It is observed that public capital formation in
agriculture remained more or less stagnant for a very long time in Kerala, before
experiencing a boost sometime in the early 2000s. On the other hand, private capital
formation started picking up in the 1990s itself and grew substantially in the following
years.

17
 Figure 1.9: Trends in Public, Private and Total GFCF in Agriculture in Kerala

Note: Total Gross fixed capital formation (GFCFTOT); public capital formation (GFCFPB); private capital formation
(GFCFPV).
Source: Computed by NCAER based on national figures on capital formation

1.1.15: Food security in Kerala

At present, Kerala depends on Andhra Pradesh for a considerable part of its

requirement for rice, on Tamil Nadu for vegetables and Karnataka for meat and milk.
Lately, there have been concerns brewing over this increasing dependence on other states
for essentials. The emerging concern about importing food from other states is the quality
of food, especially that it may, perhaps, be laced with pesticides. Table 1.7 presents the per
capita consumption of major food items in Kerala for three points of time — 1999−2000,
2004−05 and 2009−10. The data pertains to reports of the National Sample Survey
Organisation (NSSO) for the 55th, 61st and 66th rounds, respectively. The estimates indicate
a slow shift in the preferences of Keralites from rice-based food preparations to wheat-
based preparations such as chapattis and bread. The consumption of pulses remained more
or less the same during the three periods, whereas consumption of edible oil increased
perceptibly. In the case of fruits and vegetables, the increase in consumption has been
rather steep.

Table 1.7: Trends in Per Capita Consumption of Major Food Items in Kerala

Per capita consumption (Kg-capita-annum)

Commodity
1999−00 2004−05 2009−10
Rice 105.4 100.2 90.6
Wheat 12.5 11.9 12.7
Pulses 7.1 7.3 7.4
Edible oil 5.2 5.3 6.6
Vegetables 43.7 45.7 58.3
Fruits NA 32.4 39.1

18
 Spices 4.9 4.1 7.1
Milk 37.7 36.9 40.2
Egg* 33.3 30.4 42.1
Meat 3.4 4.4 5.6
Note: Per capita demand of egg expressed in numbers
Source of Data: Reports of NSSO for the 55 th, 61st and 66th rounds of surveys

Based on the latest estimates of per capita consumption, the total demand, at given
price level, for major commodities at the state level was computed and is presented in
Table 1.8. The total demand consists of both household demand (direct demand) as well as
indirect demand. Indirect demand arises mainly from consumption outside households,
industrial uses, and use on account of seed, feed, and wastage and so on. The estimates of
indirect demand were arrived at based on similar calculations undertaken by past studies.

Table1.8 Base-year Demand for Major Food Items in Kerala: 2009−10

Required
Level of
annual
Total sufficiency
Production# Balance Demand growth rate if
demand (Production/
Commodity (‘000 (production Demand)% sufficiency to
(‘000 be 25%
tonnes) – demand)
tonnes)
Projections
for 2030
Rice 3,558.9 594.3 -2964.6 17.0 3,789.7 2.4
Wheat 524.2 Negligible -524.2 0 627 188.2
Pulses 428.8 3.3 -425.5 0.1 488.7 19.8
Edible oil 296.4 NA NA NA 395.5 -
Vegetables 2,713.2 993.2 -1720 37 3,551.4 -
Fruits 1774.2 2398.1 623.9 135 2,639.2 -
Spices 282.5 100.4 -182.1 36.0 445.1 0.5
Note: *Per capita demand of egg expressed in numbers and total demand in million numbers
#
Corresponds to BE 2009−10.
Source: Computed by NCAER

Production in Kerala fell short of demand for almost all food commodities, except
fruits. In terms of production as a per cent of demand, food grains such as rice, pulses and
so on, fared poorly. The level of self-sufficiency for rice was only 16.7 per cent, with the
rest of the demand being met through imports from neighbouring states such as Andhra
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Since Kerala doesn‘t produce wheat, but consumes it in
reasonable quantities, the entire wheat demand was met from north Indian states through
inter-state trade; the case of pulses was no different. Self-sufficiency in vegetables was to
the level of 36.6 per cent. Kerala produced more fruits than it consumed, with the major

19
share coming from fruits such as banana, mango, papaya, pineapple, jack fruit and so on.
However, it depends on imports to meet the demand for other types of cool-season fruits,
even as it exports considerable quantities of what it produces to other states.

1.1.16: Viability of farming

The inherently vulnerable, predominantly commodity trade dependent economy of
Kerala‘s agriculture has been characterized by a high degree of volatility. Kerala economy
had developed strong linkages with international markets and has historically been tied to
trade and export. The export orientation of crops like spices, cashew, coffee and tea and
indirect implication of palm oil import on coconut prices are subjected to vulnerability. The
instability in farm production is also causing serious shocks to supply and farm income and
there is a growing concern about the increased volatility in farm production, prices and
farm income. Increased intensity and frequency of moisture stress, altered hydrological
cycles and precipitation variation caused in recent periods have negative implications and
cause instability in the perennial crop based agrarian economy of the State.

The predominance of marginal holdings continues to increase along with adverse

terms of trade and the revival of the agriculture sector is dependent on the revival of
dynamism in marginal holders. The marginalization of holdings, increase in wages and cost
of cultivation and instability in prices are briefly explained below. Marginal farmers face
problems not only with shrinking land assets but also lack adequate support for extension,
credit, markets and other critical inputs.

1.1.16.1: Marginalisation of holdings

Kerala agriculture is characterized by marginal and fragmented land holdings. There

are about 68.31 lakh operational holdings in the State during 2010-11 possessing about
15.11 lakh ha land with an average farm size of 0.22 ha. The distribution of operational
holdings in Kerala over the period from 1966-67 is given in Table 1.9. There is a definite
trend of marginalisation of holdings and shrinking of average size of marginal and small
holdings in the state. During 1966-67 the percentage of marginal holdings in the state was
only 81.8 % which increased to 92.6 % in 1990-91, again increased to 95.17 % and 96.32
% in 2000-01 and 2010-11 respectively. The average size of marginal holdings which was

20
0.28 ha in 1966-67 declined to 0.18 ha in 1990-91 and to 0.14 ha in 2000-01. The size has
again shrunk to 0.13 ha in 2010-11. Similar trend was noticed in case of small holdings in
the state also. The percentage of small holdings which was 10.1 % in 1960-60 declined to
its half (5.2 %) by 1990-91 which again declined to 3.41 % in 2000-01 and then to 2.64 %
in 2010- 11. The average size of small holdings in the state which was 1.43 ha in 1966-67
reduced to 1.36 ha in 1990-91, again declined to 1.32 ha in 2000-01. The average size of
small holdings however increased to 1.57 ha in 2010-11.

Table 1.9 Distribution of operational holdings in Kerala

Size of holdings 1966-67 1990-91 2000-01 2010-11

(ha) % Mean % Mean % Mean % Mean
size (ha) size (ha) size (ha) size (ha)
Marginal (<1) 81.8 0.28 92.6 0.18 95.17 0.14 96.32 0.13
Small (1-2) 10.1 1.43 5.2 1.36 3.41 1.32 2.64 1.57
Semi medium (2- 5.6 2.79 1.8 2.6 1.14 2.51 0.83 2.79
4)
Medium (4- 10) 2.1 5.6 0.4 5.27 0.24 5.3 0.18 5.32
Large (above 10) 0.5 19.86 0.06 55.74 0.04 37.31 0.03 64.58
All 0.74 0.33 0.24 0.22
Source: Agriculture Census data 1970-71, 1990-91, 2000-01 and 2010-11, Dept. of Agri. Cooperation, GoI

There has been an increase in the number of marginal households with fragmenting
and shrinking farm size and this trend will continue in future in the State. Institutional
innovations are required to reduce transaction costs, extension services, input, technology
and marketing support and incentive structure for promoting investment and viable small
and marginal holder based agriculture in the State. Adequate efforts should be put in place
to strengthen delivery of public services in favour of marginal farmers along with building
capacity that encourages group formation and collective effort for improving bargaining
power. The elements of social organization of these holdings in the structural form of
social capital facilitate in particular lowering transaction costs and probability of adopting
income/productivity enhancing technologies.

1.1.16.2: Increase in cost of cultivation

The cost of cultivation in the state has substantially increased in recent years. The
increased cost of cultivation has affected the viability of farming in most of the crops. The
increase in the cost of cultivation of Autumn paddy in 2010-11 was nearly 86.04 % of its

21
cost of cultivation a decade back. In case of second crop of paddy, the increase in cost of
cultivation was to the tune of 152.07 % and in case of summer paddy this increase was
nearly 87.25 % of cost of cultivation in 2000-01. In case of coconut there has been an
increase of 157.37 % in the cost of cultivation when compared to the situation a decade
back. In case of pepper the increase in cost of cultivation was to the tune of 173.00 %.
When this high cost of cultivation is coupled with low productivity as well as low or
uncertain prices it makes the farming unviable.

Adequate returns from crop cultivation are essential not only for the survival of
farmers but also to facilitate reinvestment in agriculture. Of the total cost of production,
human labour still accounts for a significant portion, often around 30 per cent, though it
can vary widely from crop to crop. It accounted for as high as 56 % in the case of coconut
with all India weighted average share of labour in total cost of production being 30 % for
the TE 2010-11(Vishandass et.al 2013,CACP). As labour cost is the largest single factor
of production with the fact that it has witnessed high growth in recent years, a closer
analysis is warranted.

1.1.16.3: Increase in wages

Another factor affecting the farming viability in Kerala is the higher wage rate for
agricultural workers. Kerala continues to have the highest wage rate in India contributing
to the higher cost of cultivation. In 1977-78, average daily wage of male paddy field
worker in Kerala was Rs 8.67 and that of a female worker was Rs. 6.06. After a decade the
wages increased to Rs. 31.95 (269 % increase) and Rs. 18.59 (207 %) respectively for male
and female labourers in 1988-89. In 1998-99 the wage rate reached Rs. 111.76 for male
and Rs. 71.42 for female workers. The current wage rate for paddy field labourers is Rs
385 for male and Rs 299 for female (2012, Dec-Jan) which is a more than four thousand
fold increase compared to 1977-78 wage rate (Fig.1.10).

22
 Fig1.10 The wage rate/day of Male and Female Paddy Field Worker in Kerala

450
400
350
300
250 wages(men)
200 wages(women)
150
100
50
0
1977-78 1988-89 1998-99 2012-13

(Source: Compiled from Dept. of Economics & Statistics, GoK data ).

The recent state wise analysis of average daily wage rates of male and female casual
workers from 1999-00 to 2009-10 again placed Kerala at the top with highest wages in all
these years. The lowest wages are reported in Madhya Pradesh (Jose, 2013). The
agricultural household per 1000 rural labour household is 189 in Kerala in 2009-10 while it
is 336 in Tamil Nadu and all India average is 223 (GOI, 2010). The average daily wage
rates of farmers workers increased at an annual compound growth rate of 10.16 per cent in
nominal terms and only one percent in real terms during the period 1980- 2009 (Indira
Devi 2013). The increased wage rates and lower number of agricultural labour households
in the State has put further pressure on farm wages and viability of farming. The agro
service centres established during Twelfth Five Year plan is expected to address the labour
shortages in the agriculture sector.

The ability to reduce costs of cultivation without jeopardizing productivity, thus

leading to near term increase in net income is the key to the success of farming in the state.
Appropriate incentives and organizational innovations can go a long way in improving
viability of farming in Kerala.

1.1.16.4: Instability in farm prices

In the early 1990s, India embarked upon a liberal policy framework, which got
reinforced with the signing of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture (URAA) in
23
1994. Agricultural price policy as a dominant policy instrument for agricultural
development as pursued during the reform period has its own limitations due to substitution
income, and wealth effects on investment, technological change and agricultural supply
(Sharma 2012). The increasing economic integration of the Indian economy with global
processes in the post reform era has brought considerable challenges in the agricultural
sector for commodity exporting state like Kerala.

Historically commodity prices are susceptible to instability in the international as

well as domestic markets of the countries. World commodity prices have risen significantly
since the turn of the millennium. It has long been noted in studies that commodity price
volatility has exceeded that of exchange rates in a number of commodities as Deaton
(1999) concluded as what commodity prices lack is trend, they make up for in variance.
Indeed, variability is large relative to trend for many commodity prices.

In the domestic markets apart from price shocks, the frequency and severity of risks
in agriculture particularly in last few decades in the state has increased on account of
climate variability and change. The monsoon pattern has changed and rainfall has become
erratic in the state. Occurrence of drought and flash floods has become more common in
the state. The early warning systems of climate abnormalities are not effectively
institutionalised in the state. The major crops of the state exhibit volatility in prices. The
price fluctuations in the international markets reflect in the demand and local prices of
plantation crops which are the major commodity of agricultural exports in the state.

In a recent analysis of prices of major crops in the state it was found that in the post
reform period (1991-2010) instability of real prices measured using Cuddy-Valle instability
index is found to have increased for black pepper, natural rubber and coffee (Anoop
Kumar, 2012; Table 1.10)

24
Table 1.10 Price instability index (Cuddy Valle index) on real prices of major crops in
Kerala
Sl. No Crop Pre reform period Post reform period Per cent
(1980-1990) (1991-2010) change
1 Tea 17.37 16.14 -7.08
2 Natural rubber 6.94 26.67 284.29
3 Small cardamom 51.01 33.68 -33.97
4 Black pepper 33.33 56.26 68.80
5 Coffee 8.19 30.03 266.55
(Source: Anoop Kumar 2012, NRPPD DP 13; CDS)

Agricultural commodity price volatility is an ongoing concern in Kerala agriculture.

The instability is affecting the realization of farm income and further investment in
agriculture. Along with instability the price realization for the farmers from the consumer‘s
rupee is also lower for major crops in the State. In the case of coconut the producers share
in consumer‘s rupee was only 61 per cent implying a high price spread (Narayanan and
Latha Bastine, 2004).

1.2: Animal Husbandry

1.2.1: Declining livestock population

The livestock in Kerala are raised both in backyard and commercial farms. Cattle,
buffaloes, goats, pigs, ducks and fowl and rabbits are the main livestock categories raised
for milk and meat in the State. The livestock population in Kerala is diminishing. There is
a decrease in livestock population over 2007 to 2012 from 3.58 million to 2.73 million
registering a negative growth of 23.76% in the total number of animals of various species.
Following Table 1.12 shows it.

Table 1.12: Trends in livestock population in Kerala

Number in thousands % change
from 2007-
Animal Type 2012

2003 2007 2012

Cattle Crossbreed 1735 1621 1252 22.8

Indigenous 387 119 77 35.19

Total 2112 1740 1329 23.65

Buffalo All 65 58.15 102.27 75.89

25
 Goats All 1213 1729 1246 27.94

Pigs All 76 59 56 5.48

Fowls and duck All 11653 15212 23420 54

The table shows that cattle population diminished by 23.65% and buffalo population
increased by 75.89% during 2012 census period compared to 2007.

1.2.2: Highly skewed distribution of livestock ownership

Like land ownership, the pattern of livestock possession in Kerala is also highly
skewed, but skewed towards marginal farmers who own less than one hectare (ha) of land.
Marginal farmers in Kerala owned nearly 87.7 per cent of the total cattle in the State,
followed by small farmers (8.4 per cent). The other three holding categories owned the
remaining 4 per cent of cattle. A similar pattern was seen in the ownership of buffaloes as
well. Goats, as is the case elsewhere, were found to be the property of small and marginal
farmers in Kerala too. Marginal farmers owned a substantial proportion (92.6 per cent) of
goats in the State. While marginal farmers possessed 57.5 per cent of the pigs, the rest was
more or less equally divided among other categories of farmers, except large farmers.
Marginal farmers also predominantly owned poultry (93.5 per cent), followed by small
farmers (4.55 per cent).

Table 1.13: Farm size-wise ownership of Livestock in Kerala 2006-07 (%)

Farm category Cattle Buffalo Goats Pigs Poultry

Marginal (below 1.0 ha) 87.70 86.57 92.62 57.48 93.54

Small (1.0 -1.99 ha) 8.41 8.35 4.99 17.63 4.55

Semi-medium (2.0 -3.99 ha) 3.09 3.95 1.85 10.28 1.54

Medium (4.0 – 9.99 ha) 0.72 1.02 0.47 14.60 0.34

Large (10 ha and above) 0.08 0.11 0.07 0.00 0.03

All groups 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

26
1.2.3: Declining value of product
As with the population, livestock products also experienced a slump in growth
during the 2000s compared to the 1900s. This is demonstrated by a decline in growth of
Value of Product (VOP) (total livestock) from 3.87 per cent per annum to 0.55 per cent per
annum (Table). Major livestock products – milk and milk products and meat and meat
products- exhibited negative growth rates of -1.84 per cent and -4.16 per cent respectively
in the latter period. VOP of eggs also suffered a reduction in growth momentum during
this decade. Only minor products such as wool and hair and other miscellaneous products
showed positive growth, with negligible effects on the overall performance. In terms of
physical units, milk production in Kerala increased from 1.89 million tonnes in the
Triennium Ending (TE) 1992-93 to 2.52 million tonnes in TE 2000-01 and declined
thereafter to 2.41 million tonnes in TE 2009-10. In a similar fashion, egg production
increased from 1.774 million in TE 1992-93 to 2.044 million in TE 2000-01 and then
decreased to 1,508 million in TE 2009-10 (GoI, 2010). A major part of the meat in Kerala
is produced in the unorganized sector and there is little data available on this. However,
available data from the Animal Husbandry Department shows that meat production,
including that from the unorganized sector, increased from 0.18 million tonnes to 2002-03
to 0.32 million tonnes in 2009-10.

Table 1.14: Trend of Growth in Value of Output (2004-05 prices) of Major

Livestock Products in Kerala: 1990-1991 to 2008-09 (%).

1990-91 to 2000-01 to 1990-91 to

Sector 2008-09
1999-00 2008-09
Milk and milk 1.56
4.82 -1.84
products
Meat and meat -2.14
3.01 -4.16
products
Egg 5.23 2.56 3.42

Wool and hair 0.72 7.24 2.87

Others -0.38 2.47 -0.34

Total livestock 3.87 0.55 1.64

27
1.2.4: Increasing consumption of livestock products

Kerala‘s food consumption pattern has experienced a clear diversification towards

high value commodities as has happened in the rest of India. Among livestock products,
milk consumption was to the tune of 37.7 kg per capita in 1999−2000, which improved to a
level of 40.2 kg per capita by 2009−10. Similarly, egg and meat consumption also
increased appreciably.

Table 1.15: Per capita Consumption of Major Livestock Products in Kerala,

1999−2000 to 2009−10

Per capita consumption (Kg/capita/annum)

Commodity
1999−00 2004−05 2009−10
Milk 37.7 36.9 40.2
Egg* 33.3 30.4 42.1
Meat 3.4 4.4 5.6
Note:* Per capita demand of egg expressed in numbers
Source: Reports of NSSO for the 55th61st and 66th rounds of surveys

1.2.5: Increasing milk production

The total milk production in the State was 27.18 lakh tonnes in 2001-02 which
declined to 21.10 lakhs tonnes in 2004 and subsequently increased to 27.2 lakhs tonnes in
2011-12 and further to 27.86 lakh tonnes in 2013-14. The contribution of Kerala to national
milk production which was 2.4 per cent during 2003-04 showed a declining trend and
reached to 1.99 per cent in 2013-14. The average annual growth rate of milk production is
shown in table.

Table 1.16: Average annual growth rate of milk production (%)

Sl No Year Kerala India

1 2002-03 to 2006-07 (Xth plan) -4.64 3.99

2 2007-08 to 2011-12 (XIth plan) 5.11 4.40

3 2012-13 2.76 3.54

4 2013-14 -0.18 6.00

Source: Economic Review 2014

28
1.2.6: Weak feed and fodder base

Ratinalising input costs, streamlining input supply and enhancing supply of scarce
inputs are essential for the development of livestock sector in the State. Feeds and fodder
are by far the most actually scarce inputs in the State. The total production of cattle feed
during 2013-14 won only 3.92 lakh tonnes, which is far below the requirement. Various
initiatives for the promotion of fodder production have not resulted in increasing the
supply.

1.3: Fisheries

Kerala is endowed with a long coast line of 590 kms and rich inland water bodies
consisting of 44 rivers (having an area of 0.85 lakh hectares), 30 major reservoirs (0.30
lakh ha), fresh water ponds and tanks (0.25 lakh ha), 45 backwater bodies and extensive
brackish water area (2.43 lakh ha). This makes Kerala a leading fish producing state in the
country. Fishery is an important source of income and employment to rural farmers,
particularly women. It contributes about one per cent to the GSDP of the state and provides
livelihood to 10.02 lakh fisher folk of Kerala which accounts for 3 per cent of the State
population. The sector provides cheap protein to the people of Kerala. Average
consumption of fish by the people of Kerala is 23.5 Kg/annum against national average of
9.4 Kg/annum. This is stated to be one of the reasons for greater longevity of the Kerala
people.

1.3.1: Contribution to GSDP

The fishery share in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) stood at 4.7 per cent in
1970-71. Over time, it declined and remained at 1 per cent by 2009−10 and further
declined to 0.85 per cent during 2013-14 as per the quick estimates. The Gross State
Domestic Product of the state has increased by about 89.7 per cent during the period from
2004-05 to 2013-14 and the share of fisheries sector in the State Domestic Product has
declined from 1.52 to 0.85 per cent in the period. (Fig 1.11).

29
 Fig 1.11: Fishery GDSDP (Rs. Crore) & Share of fishery GSDP in total Kerala GSDP (%) (at
Constant 2004-05 Prices)

1950 1.6
1900 1.4
1850 1.2
Fishery GSDP

share of fishing
1800 1
1750 0.8
1700 0.6
1650 0.4
1600 0.2
1550 0

Fishery GSDP(Rs.Crore) Share of Fishing in GSDP

1.3.2: Fish production

The total production of fish increased from 0.75 lakh tonnes in 1950−51 to 6.8 lakh
tones in 2002−03. Thereafter it fluctuated around this level .The total fish production in
Kerala during 2013-14 was 7.08 lakh tones. The marine fish production in Kerala tended to
fluctuate while the inland fish production shows a sign of improvement from 1999-
2000.The inland fish production is estimated as 1.86 lakh tones in 2013-14and the share of
inland fish production to the total fish production of the state was 26 percent. At national
level more than 64 per cent of the fish production is contributed by the inland sector. Fish
production at the national level increased continuously from 62 lakh tonnes to 95.79 lakh
tonnes from 2002-03 to 2013-14. As a result, the share of the state in national fish
production declined from 10.94 per cent in 2003-045 to 7.4 per cent in 2013-14.

30
 Fig 1.12: Trends in Fish Production in 2006-07 to 2013-14 (lakh tonnes)

7
5.98 5.83 5.6
Production(lakh tonnes)

6
5.86 5.31
5 5.7 5.53
5.22
4
Marine
3 Inland
1.86
2 1.4
0.91 1.17
1 1.49
0.8 1.03 1.21
0
2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14
Year

1.3.3: Export

Marine fish production is also one of the major contributors to foreign exchange
earnings through sea food exports. Kerala contributed 19 per cent of the foreign exchange
earnings through exports of marine products in 2004−2005. The state share in all India
export has been declining and it declined to l5.58 percent during 2013-14.The marine
product export from the state during 2013-14 was1.66 lakh tonnes and it valued
4706.36crore constituting 16.84 percent in terms of volume and 15.58 per cent in terms of
value to Indian marine product export. Some migratory marine fish like Pelagic fin fish
(71% of total fish landings), molluscs, demersal fin fish and crustaceans are the most
saleable items in the international market. Major export in marine products is frozen fish.
Shrimps, which are the most saleable item in the international market, are also found in
abundance in India including the Kerala coastline. However, excessive pollution has
adversely affected shrimp farming in India.

31
 Fig 1.13: Share of marine export of Kerala in India (%)

20 18.78 18
18 16.62
16 18.22 18.26 18.22 15.58
14 15.52
percentage share

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

Year

1.3.4: Marine fish production

Kerala is the second highest contributor of marine fish after Tamil Nadu in India.
During 2013-14, 5.22 lakh tones of marine fish were produced in Kerala accounting for 74
per cent of the total fish production in the state. It accounted for over 15.25 per cent of the
national marine fish production in 2013-14. Further, the share of marine fish in total fish
production in Kerala is higher than the national average. Over time, the share of marine
fishing has come down but it still remains 74 per cent. At the all India level, marine fish
production is less than 36 per cent of the total fish production.

32
1.3.5: Declining marine fishing

Decline in marine fishing is a worrisome trend. Marine fishing in Kerala has been
declining since 2004-05, except for 2006-07. As a matter of fact, the world has been facing
a global fishing crisis of unprecedented proportions. Marine ecosystems are on the decline
worldwide. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 70 per cent
of the world's commercially important marine fish stocks are fully fished, overexploited, or
depleted. The global situation is mirrored in Kerala. The main reason for this scenario is
unsustainable fishing practices. In general, over dependence on marine fisheries has
resulted in excessive and indiscriminate fishing on the Kerala coastline. This, in turn, is
because of a number of factors such as inappropriate incentives, high demand for limited
resources, inadequate knowledge, ineffective enforcement, and interactions between
fishery sector and other aspects of the environment.

1.3.6: Inland fish production

Inland fish production has been growing in Kerala since the late 1980s. This is due
to the rise of aquaculture (carp, molluscs, crustaceans) in the state. Inland fish production
potential is not fully captured in the state. Kerala has over 7 per cent of the inland water
bodies in the country, but it share in inland fishing is just above 3 per cent nationally. The
Table 1.17 shows that Kerala‘s productivity in inland fishing is lower than in many other
states. The inland water resources potential is therefore, not fully exploited in Kerala.

Table 1.17 - Production, Area and Yield: 2013-14 (P)

Approx.
Total Total water Total
Yield length of Yield
production bodies production
(Inland) coastline (Marine)
(Inland) (Inland) (Marine)
(Marine)

(’000 tonnes) (’000 ha) (kg/ha) (’000 tonnes) (’000 ha) (kg/ha)

Andhra Pradesh 1580.2 811 1948 438.25 97.4 4499

Gujarat 97.8 426 230 695.58 160.0 4347

Karnataka 198.0 740 268 357.36 30.0 11912

Kerala 186.3 543 343 522.31 59.0 8853

Maharashtra 135.2 383 353 467.46 72.0 6493

33
Tamil Nadu 192.0 693 277 432.27 107.6 4017

West Bengal 1392.4 545 2555 188.24 15.8 11914

Source: Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries – Annual Report 2014-15

1.3.7: Inadequate coastal social and physical infrastructure

The total fish processing and storage facility in Kerala is grossly inadequate
compared to the potential for fish production and processing .Most exports are in the form
of frozen fish. The lack of storage facilities and processing plants lead to inefficient supply
chain in the sector. The sector also lacks the infrastructure in terms of sufficient life boats
and patrol craft. Besides social infrastructure, provision for safe shelter and drinking
water, improvement of public health and education facilities and total sanitation & solid
waste management, coastal roads etc. needs special care and attention .Coastal fishermen
are highly vulnerable to sea erosion, cyclones and other disastrous weather events. Sea
erosion and flooding requires a permanent solution.

1.3.8: Projections

Extrapolation of NSSO data shows that household domestic consumption of fish is

projected to rise (Table 1.18).

Table 1.18: Projections for Domestic Consumption of Fish and Prawns: Average
Monthly Consumption per person (kg), 2012−16 to 2027−30
2011−12 2012−2016 2017−2021 2022−2026 2027−2030

Kerala India Kerala India Kerala India Kerala India Kerala India

Rural 1.99 0.192 2.03 0.28 2.04 0.30 2.04 0.32 2.04 0.32

Urban 1.90 0.196 1.89 0.28 1.88 0.30 1.88 0.31 1.88 0.32

Source: Perspective Plan 2030, Kerala State Planning Board

Extrapolation of available export data for Kerala fishery will show that exports will
fall because it will be based on existing trends. While it is difficult to forecast the
international demand for fish from Kerala, the FAO 2010 report says that ―the contribution
of fish to global diets has reached a record of about 17.2 kg per person in 2009 on average,

34
supplying over three billion people with at least 15 percent of their average animal protein
intake. This increase is due mainly to the ever-growing production of aquaculture which is
set to overtake capture fisheries as a source of food fish.

In sum, at current levels, while demand for fish is forecast to increase both within
and outside India, Kerala‘s production of fish is growing at very slow rate (0.4 per cent
between 2003−04 and 2010−11).

1.4: Irrigation
In most developing countries, agriculture is the dominant user of water, accounting
for more than 85 percent of all water use. Irrigation plays an important role in the growth
of agricultural income of the State. At the same time the greater agriculture water use raises
significant issues for water resource management like issues dealing with water scarcity,
competing demands from other sectors, irrigation service delivery and system
management, water use efficiencies and so forth. The primary objective in coming years
will be to balance water supply and demand among users to ensure adequate water for
agriculture and sustainable irrigation system management while satisfying other needs. The
basic premise of water resource management is that river basins are best managed and
developed as an integrated whole. This is always legally and politically complex due to the
challenges of allocation between users and between uses. The total annual yield of all the
rivers together is 78,041 Million Cubic Meters (MCM) of which 70323 MCM is in Kerala.
The surface irrigation constitute major chunk of irrigation infrastructure in the state.
67.29% of the surface water area of 3.61 lakh hectares is constituted by brackish water
lakes, back waters and estuaries. There are 18 dams in the state intended for irrigation. Out
of this, 13 have storages and 5 are barrages.

1.4.1: Current scenario of water resources and irrigation in Kerala

1.4.1.1: River Basins of Kerala

Kerala is gifted with 44 rivers of which 41 rivers flow towards the west and 3 rivers
flow to the east. A river basin is a portion of land drained by a river and its tributaries. It
encompasses the entire land surface dissected and drained by many streams that flow
downhill into one another. River basins of Kerala can be categorized into four:-

35
 1. First category includes major basins with more than 1000 sq.km basin area.
Bharathapuzha, Muvattupuzha, Periyar, Valapattanam, Chaliyar, Karuvannur,
Chalakkudi, Meenachil, Pamba, Achankovil, Kallada and Kabani fall in this
category.

2. Second category of basins has more than 500 sq.km area but less than 1000 sq.km.
Chandragiri, Kuttiyadi, Manimala, Ithikkara, Vamanapuram, Karamana and
Bhavani come under this.

3. Third category includes basins extending over less than 500 sq.km but more than
100 sq.km. Shiriya, Chittari, Neeleswar- Kariangode, Kavvayi- Peruvamba,
Kuppam, Anjarakandy, Thalassery, Mahe, Tirur, Kecheri, Neyyar and Pambar
come under this category.

4. Fourth category includes small coastal basins with less than 100 sq.km area and
Manjeswar- Uppala basin is included in this category.

Table 1.19: Water Potential in the River Basin of Kerala

Catchment area in sq.km
Sl Length of
Name of Basin Name of rivers Outside
No. river in kms Total In Kerala
Kerala

1 Manjeswar Manjeshwar 16

Uppala Uppala 50 340 166 174

2 Shiriya Shiriya 67 587 290 297

3 Chandragiri Mogral 34

Chandragiri 105 1538 702 836

4 Chittari Chittari 25 145 145 Nil

5 Neeleswar Neeleswar 46

Kariangode Kariangode 64 751 619 132

6 Kavvayi Kavvayi 31

Peruvamba Peruvamba 51 495 495 nil

Ramapuram Ramapuram 19

36
7 Kuppam Kuppam 82 539 469 70

8 Valapattanam Valapattanam 110 1867 1321 546

9 Anjarakandy Anjarakandy 48 412 412 nil

10 Tellichery Tellichery 28 132 132 nil

11 Mahe Mahe 54 394 394 nil

12 Kuttiyadi Kuttiyadi 74 583 583 nil

13 Chaliyar Korapuzha 40

Kallayi 22

Chaliyar 169 4765 4377 388

Kadalundi 130

14 Tirur Tirur 48 117 117 nil

15 Bharathapuzha Bharathapuzha 209 6186 4400 1786

16 Keecheri Keecheri 51

Puzhakkal 29 635 634 nil

17 Karuvannur Karuvannur 48 1054 1054

18 Chalakkudy Chalakkudy 130 1704 1404 300

19 Periyar Periyar 244 5398 5284 114

20 Muvattupuzha Muvattupuzha 121 2004 2004 nil

21 Meenachil Meenachil 78 1272 1272 nil

22 Manimala Manimala 90 847 847 nil

23 Pamba Pamba 176 2235 2235 nil

24 Achankovil Achankovil 129 1484 1484 nil

25 Kallada Pallikkal 42

Kallada 121 1919 1919 nil

26 Ithikkara Ithikkara 56 642 642 nil

27 Vamanapuram Ayroor 17

Vamanapuram 88

Mamom 27 867 867 nil

28 Karamana Karamana 68 703 703 nil

29 Neyyar Neyyar 56 497 497 Nil

37
30 Kabani Kabani 1920 1920

31 Bhavani Bhavani 562 562

32 Pambar Pambar 384 384

Grand Total 42978 38334 4643

(Source: Land resource of Kerala state, Land Use Board 2009 & Working group report on water management &
watershed management , 2011)

1.4.1.2: Low Per capita Water Availability

The water availability per capita in Kerala is one of the lowest in the country and
has been declining overtime. A distinctive feature of rivers of Kerala is their short length
and difference in elevation between the high and low lands which causes rapid flow of
water that is quickly discharged into the sea and hence the state has not been able to utilize
its river water sources to a major extent.

1.4.1.3: Changing Rain fall patterns & Poor Retention Capacity

The water availability of Kerala is dependent on rainfall and other climatic factors,
particularly the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall. There is considerable spatial
variation of rainfall within the state with northern districts receiving more annual rainfall
than southern districts. Based on the analysis of rainfall in Kerala between 1871 and 2005,
during the past 14 years, there has been a significant decrease in rainfall in June & July
whereas there is an increasing trend in January, February and April. Overall, a gradual
decline in rainfall is noted in the state and is more pronounced in northern districts.

Due to poor retention capacity of the soil, water available through rainfall cannot
be conserved effectively. The thick forest cover and vegetation that characterized the state
had facilitated relatively high percolation of rainwater, but now, the situation is changing
rapidly due to large scale encroachment of forest land, destruction of forests, reclamation
of natural ecosystem buffers such as ponds, wetlands and paddy fields and changes in the
cropping pattern.

38
1.4.1.4: Dominance of Major Irrigation in Investment on Irrigation

Irrigation development
in Kerala is mainly
centred on the
development of major
& medium irrigation
projects. About 60 to
70 percent of the
investment in each plan
of the state was
earmarked for major
and medium irrigation.

On analysing the investment pattern during IXth, Xth & XIth plan period, it is
evident that major irrigation occupies a major portion of the outlay. The share has been as
high as 78 percent during 10th plan and 63 percent during eleventh plan.

This increased sharing pattern was provided for completing the long pending major
irrigation schemes. Moreover, it can also be analysed that increased investment on major
irrigation adds to ground water recharge which addresses the problem of drinking water to
a certain level. The dominance of major irrigation during the period is evident from the
following graph (Fig 1.14).

Fig 1.14: Investment aggregation during 9th, 10th and 11th Five Year Plan

100000
90000
80000
70000
60000
50000 IX th plan
40000 Xth plan
30000
20000 XIth plan
10000
0
Major & Minor CAD FC & CZM
Medium

39
 Though major irrigation continues to occupy a major share even during 12th plan,
focus that has been given to minor irrigation sector during the plan period is noteworthy.

1.4.1.5: Underexploited Minor Irrigation

Minor irrigation plays an important role

in the state of Kerala, where the average
farm size is small, land labour ratio is low
and capital and foreign exchange resources
are scarce. Some of the advantages of MI
are lower investment needs per hectare,
shorter payback period, easier management,
reduced environmental damage and better
suitability to agro ecologies.

The availability of large number of water bodies in the form of rivers, rivulets and
ponds and the ease of institutional intervention through user groups makes minor irrigation
the preferred option for irrigation development in the state. Nevertheless of all the
advantages, the area under lift and minor irrigation is minimal in most districts. Despite
the advantages in terms of unit cost, their poor coverage calls for deeper exploration.
During 12th plan period, special emphasis has been given to this sector with special
emphasis to the development of tanks and ponds lift irrigation and other minor irrigation
structures.

1.4.1.6: Not achieving the potential

A survey conducted during 2004-05 , to assess the performance of minor irrigation
in Kerala , revealed that minor irrigation initiatives were able to achieve only (a) a little
over 53% of the targeted area coverage (b) actual area irrigated is only half the potential
created (c) actual number of beneficiaries supported is 5 lakh against the proposed 7.9 lakh

40
Difficulties

1. Non- functioning of MI schemes due to physical damage. The highest proportion of

non-functioning schemes identified is those constructed against saltwater intrusion,
followed by IPD yelah schemes. The lowest failure is in the case of lift irrigation.
2. Conversion of agricultural land for other purposes
3. Reluctance of people to take up agriculture as a profession. When there is no
agriculture there is no need of spending money on irrigation activities.
4. Due to scarcity of funds, several proposed MI schemes could not be initiated.
5. Deterioration of irrigation canals due to filling up, encroachment and waste
dumping.

1.4.2: Significance of Micro Irrigation

In the context of water scarcity and the need to increase water use efficiency,
micro irrigation is getting widely adopted. The expansion of area under irrigation is
essential for obtaining increased agriculture production and this expansion could be done
only by additional development conservation and efficient management of the available
water resources. In spite of the fact that the major and medium irrigation projects have
contributed much, inefficient conventional methods of irrigation leads to wastage of water.
In this context, Micro irrigation assumes great significance.

Micro Irrigation technique enables

frequent application of small
amounts of water direct to the root
zone of the plant thereby enabling
minimal surface evaporation, runoff
and deep percolation losses. It is an
efficient method having an overall
irrigation efficiency of 90%.

Various types of micro irrigation systems adopted in India are Drip irrigation,
Sprinkler irrigation, Porous irrigation & Rain –Gun irrigation.

41
 The task force to assess the feasibility of micro irrigation has estimated that about
42 million ha of cultivated land has the potential to be brought under micro irrigation.
Against this potential, the actual achievement at the national level is only 9 percent. In
Kerala, it is below the national average, only about 7.8 percent. Kerala has the potential for
about 2.1 lakh ha to be covered under micro irrigation – 1.8 lakh ha under drip irrigation
and the remainder under various types of sprinkler irrigation.

As part of promoting micro irrigation technologies in the country, GOI has launched
a Micro Irrigation scheme during VIII Five Year Plan. To analyse the importance and
adoption of micro irrigation projects, a study was conducted during 2011 covering nine
states (EPW, 2011). Kerala was one among the chosen states. In Kerala, the percentage of
utilization of actual area against the potential under MI is only 7.77. It is 7.89% & 7.19%
for drip & sprinkler irrigation respectively. Moreover, majority of the farmers who were
adopting MI in Kerala are marginal farmers (52%) followed by small (28%) and large
farmers (20%).

Limitations

1. Small sized and fragmented holdings

2. High cost
3. Clogging of emitters
4. Lack of sufficient technical backup & insufficient knowledge on optimum
utilization
5. Breakage/ Damage of the system by animals
6. Unavailability of quality materials with professional dealers/manufacturers

42
Adoption of drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is the targeted,

intelligent application of water, fertilizer
and chemicals, which, if properly used can
provide great benefits. Farmer driven
irrigation methods are better than public
irrigation. Overhead drip irrigation systems
can be used for coconut also.

Another option is rain gun irrigation. This system gives complete coverage of water
in all areas, which helps the perfect functioning of roots to absorb all manure. So
cultivation of intercrops such as banana, grams and fodder is very easy.

1.4.3: Low Conveyance Efficiency

Irrigation is the largest user of water in the basin, followed by domestic use.
Irrigation schemes suffer from poor reliability of water supplies, excessive seepage from
canals causing inundation of fields and excessive conveyance losses with frequent water
scarcity in the tail end. During droughts, the ayacut areas face water shortage. All these
lead to yield losses in paddy.

The water distribution and delivery infrastructure is in poor condition. Against a

total length of 237.8 km of main canals, 5 percent is unlined and 7 percent is partially
lined. Against the total length of approximately 1000 km of distributaries covering eight
irrigation schemes, only 1 % is lined, 24 % partially lined and 75% unlined. The total area
of canal surface required to be lined was estimated to be 4.045 million sq.km, of which 80
percent require complete lining and the rest is partially lined.

1.4.4: Contribution of Tanks & Ponds

A tank is a low, earthen bund constructed across a shallow valley to hold the
rainfall runoff from its catchment area. Rainfall pattern is neither predictable nor uniform
over space and time. The incidence of rainfall is also seasonal, occurring mainly during the
southwest monsoon (June to September) in most of this State. Being confined to a few

43
monsoon months, rainfall behaviour is highly erratic. This hydrological characteristic of
the State‘s monsoon necessitated the creation of storage facilities to hold the rainwater of
the monsoon and utilize the same at a later date.

Tanks are created essentially as multiple-use structures for irrigation, livestock,

and human uses. They have been the main source of irrigation in many parts of India for
centuries. Tank rehabilitation had been aimed to increase agricultural production. The
benefits will go to the landholders mainly as increase in produce and to the agricultural
labourers as increased wages.

A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made. They are

important hotspots for bio diversity. Ponds were constructed mostly as multiple use
structures for irrigation, livestock, fisheries and human use. Ponds are having at least four
different functions in irrigated agriculture - water conservation, soil conservation, flood
control and protection of ecology of the surrounding area.

A reliable estimate of the number of tanks and ponds existing in this state is
not known while the reported number varies anywhere between 40,000 and 50,000. With
extraordinary engineering, managerial, and social skills, an extensive system of rainwater
harvesting structures comprising tanks and ponds had been built and maintained by the
people for centuries.

1.4.5: Impact of Irrigation

Investments in irrigation are changing globally in response to changes in

environment and experience with previous projects. Irrigation in Kerala started with major
and medium irrigation projects and has since then received significant fund flow
throughout the Five Year Plans. Irrigation development in Kerala is mainly centred on the
development of surface water resources. In each Annual Plan priority is being given to the
development of major and medium irrigation projects. However, the long term returns that
could be realized from this investment are under serious reconsideration, both in terms of
financial recovery of the projects and in terms of the intended crop benefits.

44
1.4.5.1: Insufficient irrigation

Despite the continued efforts to irrigate crops through major and minor irrigation
programmes, only about one- sixth of the total area could be brought under irrigation. A
close examination of the irrigation development of the State reveals that gross irrigated
area has remained almost stagnant in the past decade. During 2009-10, the gross irrigated
area was about 4.55 lakh hectares. But, this accounted for only 17 % of the gross cropped
area and about 16% of the net cropped area. Gross irrigated area increased to 4.68 lakh ha
during 2013-14. The percentage of Gross irrigated area to Gross Cropped Area was 17.94
during the period. The percentage of net area irrigated to net area sown for the period
2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 is 20.04, 19.32 & 19.37 respectively.

1.4.5.2: Dominance of wells as a source of irrigation

Major source of irrigation in the state are wells, which accounts for about 31% of
the total area under irrigation, followed by government canals contributing around 20%.
Despite the investment in canal irrigation, the area under this system has not increased
much. The dependence on canal irrigation is the highest ( in terms of area) in Palakkad,
Thrissur and Ernakulam districts, wells (open and bore) in Palakkad, Thrissur and
Kasargode districts and ponds in Kasargode, Idukki, Palakkad and Malappuram districts.

Table 1.20: Source of Irrigation

Sl.No Source 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

1 2 3 4 5

1 Government canals 81737 80718 80007

2 Private canals 1971 2457 1448

3 Tanks 47112 43558 45283

4 Wells 137193 122338 124850

5 Other sources 140901 146797 145588

6 Total 408914 395868 397176

Source: - Department of Economics & Statistics

45
1.4.6: Coconut & Paddy – the most benefitted crops

The yield of irrigated rice fields was always higher than that from un-irrigated
conditions, irrespective of the season. Data for 2007 shows that irrigation pushes up the
rice yield to about 840 kg/ha during summer season, 360 kg during winter season and
about 120 kg during autumn season. This shows that rice yield is positively affected by
irrigation.
Apart from rice, coconut is another crop that is benefitted most out of irrigation.
The following graph (Fig 1.15) reveals that during the period 2013-14, coconut was the
most benefitted crop. It accounted for about 35.5 per cent followed by paddy 33 percent,
banana 10 percent, arecanut 8 percent and vegetable 4.5 percent. There has been a
significant increase in irrigated area for banana cultivation and vegetable cultivation during
2013-14 compared to previous years. Though the irrigated area for paddy and coconut
cultivation has increased, the percentage of increase is not prominent.

Fig 1.15 Crops benefited out of Irrigation

200000
180000
160000
140000
120000
100000 2011-12
80000
2012-13
60000
40000 2013-14
20000
0

1.4.7: Dependency of Ground Water

Ground water makes up about 20% of world‘s fresh water supply which makes it
an important resource that can act as a natural storage that can buffer against shortage of
surface water in times of drought. Groundwater has rapidly emerged to occupy a dominant
place in India‘s agriculture and food security and it accounts for over 60 percent of the
irrigated area in the country.

46
 Groundwater is a major source of water in Kerala. As per 2011 census,
65 percent of rural and 59 percent of urban households have wells.

Limited groundwater potential

The ground water potential of Kerala is limited because 88 percent of the total
geographical area of the State is underlain by crystalline rocks devoid of any porosity.
There are 10 different principal aquifer systems in Kerala. Groundwater in Kerala has a
potential of 34-601 metres below ground level (mbgl) and the yield varies between 0.1 – 38
lps (litres per second) depending on the area. Alappuzha, Kollam and Kozhikode witnessed
the highest depth level whereas discharge range is higher in Palakkad, Alappuzha and
Pathanamthitta.

1.4.8: Relatively low levels of ground water development

The main source of ground water is recharge from rainfall, which contributes
about 82 percent of the total annual replenishable resources. As per Ground water resource
data 2009, in the state of Kerala, the total annual ground water availability is 6.620 Billion
Cubic Meter (BCM) and the net ground water availability is 6.029 BCM. The annual
ground water draft for all uses in the state is 2.81 BCM out of which 1.304 BMC is for
irrigation purpose. 3.021 BCM is the net Ground water availability for future irrigation
development in the state.

Categorization of revenue blocks

Out of the 151 revenue blocks assessed in the State for groundwater potential and
draft, 5 blocks (Kasargode, Kozhikode, Chittur, Kodungalloor and Athiyanoor) are
categorized as over exploited, 15 blocks as critical, 30 blocks as semi- critical and 101
blocks as safe.

1.5: Investment in Agriculture and Allied sectors

The state investment in agriculture and allied sectors including irrigation and the
expenditure of local bodies during 2006-07 was Rs 713.36 crore and it was increased to Rs
1731.36 crore during 2013-14.Even though the investment has increased, the share of these
sectors in total state plan expenditure has decreased from 14.9 per cent to11.62 percent in

47
the period 2006-07 to 2013-14. Also the central sector investments under these sectors are
given in the following figure (Fig 1.16). The central sector investment has been tripled
from 2009-10 onwards on the introduction of the scheme RKVY.

Fig 1.16: Investment in Agriculture & Allied Sectors & CSS including RKVY

2000
1800
1600
1400
Investment

1200
1000
Investment in Agri & Allied
800
600
Investment in CSS
400
incuding RKVY
200
0

Year

Fig 1.17: Share of Agriculture & Allied in State Plan (%)

16
14.91
14
13.1
12 11.83 12.25
11.31 11.62
10.66 10.74
10
share(%)

8
6
4
2
0
2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
Year

48
Chapter 2: Towards a perspective on Agriculture Green growth

Towards Green Economy

Agriculture – Investing in Natural capital
UNEP, 2011

2.1: Towards Agriculture Green Growth

21st century agricultural development strategies must respond to new realities, while
learning from the success, disappointments and unintended consequences of last century‘s
narrowly defined prescriptions for agricultural intensification. Such strategies should
embrace new technologies and management system that enable farmers to produce more
with fewer inputs, less waste and less pollution.

Sustainable and least risky farming systems will be those that easily allow farmers
to adapt to changing agronomic, environmental and social condition. Sustainability
requires action both on the part of individual farmers and the part of Government, local
self-Governments, private sector and civil society working together at large scales to
maintain healthy soils and landscapes. And such strategies must recognize that society
now looks to agricultural landscapes to provide a range of goods and services, not just food
and industrial raw materials, but also clean water, habitat for natural enemies of pests,
healthy environments for people, stable climate and those markets increasingly reward
farmers for doing so.

The new approach could be put under the frame work for Agriculture Green
Growth (AGG) by defining the key elements and parameters of a strategy for coordinating
investment and development in agricultural production, processing and distribution that is
efficient, profitable, sustainable and resilient to climate change while protecting key natural
resources and providing social benefits to the population. While AGG incorporates
traditional environment management with focus on identifying and catalysing new
opportunities in agricultural production, technical and institutional infrastructure and
conservation and livelihood activities for sustainable economic growth.

49
 The agriculture green growth strategies stem from an understanding that finite
resources and a new climate of opportunities and risks necessitate new green development
strategies. The framework of AGG identifies current and emerging opportunities for
harmonizing agricultural development with ecosystem conservation. The framework also
identifies promising technologies and innovation for transforming the agricultural sector
which recognise ecosystems as key productive assets. The AGG framework positions the
agriculture sector as a principal engine for human and economic development within an
overall green economy and green growth strategy.

The greening of agriculture refers to the increasing use of farming practices and
technologies that simultaneously:-

(a) Maintain and increase farm productivity and profitability while ensuring the
provision of food and ecosystem services on a sustainable basis.
(b) Reduce negative externalities and gradually lead to positive ones and
(c) Rebuild ecological resources (i.e. soil, water, air and biodiversity –natural capital
assets) by reducing pollution and using resources more efficiently.

A diverse, locally adaptable set of agricultural techniques, practices and market

branding certification such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), organic agriculture,
Ecological agriculture, conservative agriculture and related techniques and food supply
protocols exemplify the varying shades of green agriculture (UNEP 2011).

Farming practices and technologies that are instrumental in greening agriculture include

- restoring and enhancing soil fertility through the increased use of naturally and
sustainably produced nutrient inputs, diversified crop rotations, and livestock and
crop integration.
- reducing soil erosion and improving the efficiency of water use by applying
minimum tillage and cover crop cultivation technologies
- reducing chemical pesticides & herbicide use by implementing integrated and other
environment friendly biological pest and weed management practices and
- reducing food spoilage and loss by expanding the use of post-harvest storage and
processing facilities.

50
 Key hh Key messages of green growth

 Green agriculture is capable of nourishing a growing and more demanding world

population at higher nutrition levels.
 Green agriculture requires investment, research and capacity building.
 Green agriculture has the potential to be a net creator of jobs that provides higher
returns on labour inputs than conventional agriculture.
 A transition to green agriculture has significant environmental benefits.
 Reducing waste and inefficiency is an important part of the green agriculture
paradigms.
 Green agriculture will also require national and international policy reforms and
innovations

UNEP, 2011

AGG focuses on practices and strategies that ensure agricultural development while
safeguarding ecosystem services. The concept of AGG takes into account the specificities
of each agro ecological zone or units and helps to develop their potential. The ago
ecological intensification neither over extends local resource stocks nor pollutes or
degrades the environment and wherever possible encourages production practices that have
positive benefits for biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Sustainable intensification of production may be achieved through a diversity of

means, ranging from the application of modern technology to the strategic management of
farm ecosystems to improve water, soil and nutrient cycling, pest control and other critical
interventions.

2.2: Agro ecological approach

_____________________________________________________________________

Greening Economy with Agriculture as the key message for Rio +20
FAO
______________________________________________________________________
Long neglected by mainstream development actors, agro ecology is gaining
momentum as a farming and landscape approach as the recent FAO symposium
demonstrates.

51
_____________________________________________________________________
Agro ecological approaches – while working with farms of very small sizes –have led to
improved diets, livelihoods and income, through soil restoration, water conservation,
water harvesting, diverse crops, organic inputs and improved seeds and practices.

Symposium on Agro ecology for food security and nutrition –

18-19 September 2014, Rome, FAO
______________________________________________________________________
Agroecological farming has a clear set of ecological principles. In order to frame
strategies and action plan, a major scientific work on delineation of the State into agro
ecological zones and agro ecological units was initiated in 2007-08 under the leadership of
the National Bureau of Soil survey and Land use Planning coordinated by the Kerala State
Planning Board. The purpose was to separate areas with similar sets of potential and
constraints for development. Agro ecological zoning defines zones on the basis of
combination of soil, landform and climatic characteristics.

2.3: Perspective: Kerala Agriculture in a dynamically changing World agriculture

In order to secure a sustainable path for a prosperous agriculture sector of the State
the Perspective Plan 2030 prepared by the State Planning Board, projects a minimum
average growth rate of 2 percent per annum. The focus will be on increasing
competiveness and productivity in agriculture so as to raise incomes and wellbeing of
farmers and bring prosperity, not only for this generation, but for future generation too.

Kerala needs to adopt a holistic approach to the management of water resources.

Despite the continued efforts to irrigate crops through both major and minor irrigation
schemes, only about one sixth of the total area could be brought under irrigation. A
paradigm shift in strategic framework on irrigation development is required in the State
focusing more on improved water use efficiency, investing in minor and micro irrigation
leading to more crops per drop of water. It is targeted to achieve 50 percent net irrigated
area in 2030 with an average minimum growth rate of 2 percent per annum.

Livestock have been an integral component of agriculture in the state, and an

important element of the livelihoods of rural households. Animal husbandry sector provide
large self-employment opportunities. By countering the reduction in animal population and
52
maintaining the yield dividends through various institutional and technological
improvements milk production could be enhanced to 39.18 lakh tonnes in 2030, leading to
a milk surplus State beyond the projected demand of 35.20 lakh tonnes.

The projected demand of egg in 2030 is 3381.4 million and targeted to meat 80
percent of the demand by internal production. In order to achieve that, Kerala will have to
shift from existing models of production to achieve its growth potential. Kerala meets 73
percent of its meat demand from its own production. Kerala can sustain its present level of
self-sufficiency even if the sector grows at a rate of 2.5 percent annually. Therefore the
focus now should be on devising means that can sustain the existing momentum of growth
so that the presently thriving sector can be sustained in the long ran.

A sustainable livestock strategy aims at reducing the environmental foot print of

farms, while improving milk production, farm profitability and the wellbeing of the people
and animals involved.

The contribution of fishery activities to National economy is multifaceted. Kerala is

the fourth largest State in India in terms of fish production after West Bengal, Andhra
Pradesh and Gujarat, and contributes 19 percent of foreign exchange earnings through sea
food exports. At current levels, while demand for fish is forecast to increase both within
and outside India, Kerala‘s production of fish is growing at very slow rate of 0.40 percent
between 2003-04 and 2010-11. In the perspective plan 2030, it is targeted to achieve a
growth rate of 1 percent in production through a strategic frame work of improved
productivity, Value addition, and stock replenishment ensuring social security of fisher folk
and through production of robust and environmentally sound aquaculture. There is
consensus globally that it is no larger sufficient to focus on the sustainability of target
species and the broader ecosystem impacts of fishing have to be considered as well. The
drivers of non-sustainable fishing are well known.

Anticipating future developments in agriculture is by no means a simple exercise.

In the last few years, after the liberalisation and integration with world markets, many of
the acute phenomena observed have complicated further the formulation of long term
prospects. The turbulence of world agricultural markets and the wide climate variability
experienced in recent years, have added further uncertainty on the future of agriculture in

53
the State. Technically, there seems to be considerable scope for pushing the agricultural
technology frontier outwards. But much could also be done by simply applying the existing
technologies. However it is also evident that current agricultural production is imposing
serious strains on ecosystems globally with widespread soil degradation, water overdraft
and ecological impacts such as loss of biodiversity and the proliferation of resistant pest
species. Evidence exists to show that ecologically sustainable cropping system can supply
overall outputs comparable to intensive high input agriculture.

Commodity markets will continue to seek a new normal as Economic Turmoil

subsides
USDA – 2013

2.4: Agro ecology

The core approach in agricultural planning is driven by recognition that growth to a

new plateau of performance cannot be achieved by continuing existing approaches and
practices in the State. A basic change of approach in agriculture introduced in 12th plan
towards exploitation of regional potential in a broader framework of agro ecological
planning needs to be expanded. The state has been divided into 5 Agro Ecological Zones
(AEZ) and 23 Agro Ecological Units (AEU) based on climate and soil in a recent study
coordinated by the State Planning Board. It is essential to prepare strategies and action plan
for each AEZ and AEU for the development of agriculture and allied sectors. Each district
has been divided into agro ecological units on panchayat basis within the overall
framework of technical parameters. The yield gaps as well as the potential and issues in
AEZ/AEU have to be addressed separately considering the socio economic setting. There
are several region specific gaps which limit the opportunity of realising higher yield of the
crops/livestock/fish potential. Future crop yields and food security may hinge on the ability
of farmers to narrow the gap between the current yields and yield potential ceilings. The
Agro Ecological Unit wise and consolidated district level yield gaps for various crops,
technology adoption index for various practices, occurrence of pests and diseases, soil
fertility, constraints like labour availability, marketing, mechanization, irrigation and
researchable issues are to be addressed on AEZ/AEU wise for the growth and development

54
of agriculture in the state. It is essential to divide the state level targets among different
Agro ecological units based on the potential, constraints and possibilities. The linkage of
resource allocation on zonal basis would result in realization of outputs in a time bound
manner.

The agro ecological zones and units are shown in map.

55
 Under each agro ecological zones further agro ecological units were delineated at
the district level. The strategies and action plans have to be prepared for each
agroecological unit under the overall framework of agroecology for the re-vitalisation of
agriculture in Kerala.

Fig: Ecological engineering practiced in a field in Palakkad

FOREST AGRO ECOTONES OF WESTERN GHATS

India is one of the 17 mega diverse countries with 2.4% of total land area,
accounting for 7-8% of the species of the world, including about 91,000 species of
animals and 45,500 species of plants, that have been documented in its ten bio-
geographic regions. India is also recognized as one of the nine Vavilovian centres of
origin of crop plants. The Western Ghats stretching for nearly 1600 km in length
from the Tapti river in the north to Kanyakumari in the south is recognized as one of
the 34 global biodiversity hotspots, one of the eight hottest hotspots and the UNESCO

56
has recognized 39 serial sites in Western Ghats as World Heritage sites.

The Western Ghats form the major watershed in Peninsular India and as
many as Fifty Eight major Peninsular Indian rivers originate from it. The Ghats
supports the lives of people in six states of India and roughly 250 million people
depend on these rivers. The hot and humid tropical climate coupled with heavy
precipitation from southwest monsoon create ideal conditions for the luxuriant
growth of plant life. The high western slopes of the Ghats harbour evergreen forest,
and rolling Shola grasslands above 1,500 mt. As one moves from western to
eastern slopes the vegetation changes to moist and dry deciduous forest types
along the rainfall gradient and scrub forest in the low lying rain shadow areas and
plains. The vegetation attains its luxuriant growth towards the southern tip in
Kerala, where rich tropical rainforests flourish. Nearly 4000 species of flowering
plants or about 27% of the country‘s total species are known from the Ghats. Of 645
species of evergreen trees about 56% is endemic to the Ghats.

The domestication of hardy breeds of cattle and sheep, and drought-

resistant crop species of indigenous cereals and tubers, have generated important crop
and livestock diversity. Natural and artificial selection in different agroclimatic zones
have resulted in number of cultivars with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Low
land areas of Western Ghats have traditionally been used for rice cultivation and
provided several cultivars of rice with beneficial traits. Agroforestry systems such as
coffee, tea and spices in association with diversity of trees, rice based and coconut
based agroforestry systems dominate. The Western Ghats also harbour a number of
wild relatives of cultivated plants, including pepper, cardamom, mango, jackfruit and
plantain. The commercially important species as teak, cashew, rubber, bananas, areca
nut, coconut, etc. occupy large area and also make the forest landscape highly diverse.

Forest agricultural ecotones are critical for the maintenance of the

livelihood of people that inhabit these areas and Western Ghats provides an example of
.

efficient integration of natural landscapes and human settlements.

Source: Kerala State Biodiversity Board

57
Chapter 3: Strategic frame work

The strategic framework provides the overarching direction for Kerala‘s agriculture
on strategic orientation.

3.1: Strategic framework – Agriculture

The strategic framework for Kerala Agriculture is developed to promote green

economy based on agro-ecology principles that results in improved human well being and
social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and promoting
environmental services. The strategic framework is suggested under four pillars with
identified focus areas under each pillar. The strategic pillars are shown below.

1. Pillar I : Raise Agriculture productivity

2. Pillar 2 : Raise investment in infrastructure
3. Pillar 3 : Strengthening livelihood and assured income
4. Pillar 4 : Service delivery

The focus areas under each pillar are given below.

1. Pillar 1 : Raise Agriculture productivity

 Closing the yield gap

 Improved Soil Health Management
 Improved Plant Health Management
 Promote new technologies
 Develop Technology Infrastructure
 Promote innovation

2. Pillar 2: Raise investment in Support Infrastructure

 Soil and water conservation
 Minor irrigation
 Input production infrastructure
 Laboratory net works
 Market/storage/post-harvest

3. Pillar 3 : Strengthening livelihood and assured income

 Revival of the perennial Tree crop systems

 Promote homesteads and Integrated Farming Systems
 Food and Nutrition Security
58
  Mechanisation
 Climate smart agriculture
 Support for low cost credit
 Promote value added agriculture
 Risk management
 Urban agriculture
 Expand social safety nets

4. Pillar 4 : Improve Service delivery

 Prominent and mainstreamed extension system
 Expand Agroservice centres
 Promote social capital development
 HRD and continuing Agriculture education
 Leveraging ICT application

3.1.1: Pillar 1: Raise agriculture productivity

With growing resource scarcity, and increasing demand for food and industrial raw
materials, agriculture production depends more than ever on increasing crop and livestock
productivity. Reviving the agriculture sector needs a quantum increase in productivity from
the current levels. This in turn requires a technological breakthrough given the limited
supply of land and other structural rigidities, addressing low level of mechanisation,
shortage of irrigation facilities, treatment of soil acidity and multiple nutrient deficiencies,
plant health management, remunerative prices and poor extension services.

The productivity of most of the crops cultivated in the State is very low. The
prevalence of the debilitating coconut root (wilt) disease, existence of a large number of
senile and unproductive palms and growing of coconuts in unsuitable areas and lower
investment due to inadequate incentives are the major reasons attributed to the low
productivity of coconut compared to other states or countries. The productivity of coconut
over the past few decades have been almost stable with slight improvement in the current
decade. The productivity of pepper has improved since 1980s and the present pepper
productivity is still very low compared to other countries. In the case of cashew, in spite of
operating special schemes for expansion of area, the productivity has been steadily
declining during the last two decades. Kerala has a substantial share in the four
plantation crops, viz, rubber, tea, coffee and cardamom. In the plantation segment,
rubber is the only crop which could maintain steady and stable performance in

59
productivity. The stabilization and augmentation of productivity assume critical
importance, given the limited scope for increasing area under cultivation of various crops.
The average productivity of major crops over the past five decades is shown in Table 3.1.

Increase in production would be possible mainly from improvements in productivity

through the use of location specific technology generation and adoption and modernisation
of agriculture.

The focus areas are shown below

3.1.1.1: Closing the yield Gaps: Yield gaps in selected agro-ecological units of Kerala

An Agro-ecological Unit (AEU) is a homogenous geographical area which has the

production environment in terms of agro-climate, resource endowments and socio-
economic conditions is homogenous, and majority of the farmers have similar production
constraints and research needs. The agro-ecological methods can be utilized in efficient
land use planning, determining suitable crops and varieties in a region, risk analysis of
climatic hazards, analysis of production potential, optimum resource use and in developing
appropriate intervention strategies.

Realising wide agro-climatic variability of Kerala, the National Bureau of Soil

Survey and Land Use Planning (ICAR), Regional Centre, Bangalore has demarcated the
State into 23 Agro-ecological Units. (Nair et al., 2012). Each AEU has distinct soil and
climatic features which permits the cultivation of different types of crops. There are inter-
zonal variations in the productivity of crops among AEUs owing to the distinct features of
the unit. However gap in productivity is noticed within the AEUs. If this could be properly
addressed, it would help to enhance the productivity levels of the AEU as well as the state.
Productivity gaps in major crops of the state have been worked out by Kerala Agricultural
University as part of the project on agro ecology funded and coordinated by the Kerala
State Planning Board. Productivity gaps in selected AEUs are indicated in Table 3.1.

The Onattukara sandy plains which generally have the lowest productivity in rice
have a yield gap of 145.28 %. This low productive zone also has a yield gap of 207.69 % in
coconut. A yield gap of 76 % in the yield of paddy and 628.86 % in coconut is observed in

60
case of coconut in Kuttanad. In Kole lands yield gap of paddy is 112.53 % and in Pokkali
the yield gap in coconut is 185.7%. The average productivity of Pepper in Kerala is very
low. However the appreciable yield gap is existing in Northern Laterites and Northern Hills
which are 385 and 346 % respectively. There exist a yield gap of 45.49 % in Northern Hills
and 150 % in Central Plateau in case of Coffee. The Wayanad Central Plateau has reported
a pepper yield as high as 3500 Kg/ha making a yield gap of 500 % in the unit. In case of
cashew and areca nut, the yield gap in Northern Coastal Plains of Kannur District is
63.64% and 176.92 % respectively. The yield gap of rice is to the tune of more than 100 %
in Kaipad lands in the district. In Northern Laterites of Kannur district the banana crop has
a yield gap of 197.03%. In Southern High Hills of Idukki the Rubber is having a yield gap
of 25 % and cardamom is having a yield gap of 67.74 %. In South Central Laterites of
Alappuzha District, the Tapioca crop is having a yield gap of more than 300 %.

Table 3.1: Yield gaps in major crops in selected AEUs in Kerala

Best Productivity
Productivity Productivity
Name of AEU Crop farmer gap of AEU
in zone in district
yield in %
Onattukara sandy Paddy (t/ha) 2.65 3 6.5 145.28
plain (ALP 2)
Onattukara sandy Coconut (nuts /palm) 52 40 160 207.69
plain (ALP 2)
Kuttanad (TM-1) Paddy (t/ha) 4.26 2.58 7.50 76.06
Kuttanad (KTM-1) Coconut (nuts/palm) 41.16 29 300 628.86
Kole lands (TSR3) Paddy (t/ha) 4.47 2.50 9.50 112.53
Pokkali lands Coconut (nuts/palm) 35 31 100 185.7
(EKM 1)
Northern laterites Pepper(Kg/ha) 567.6 98 2750 385.0
(KZD 3)
Northern laterites Rice (Kg/ha) 2.3 1.50 5.0 117.39
(KZD 3)
Northern Hills Pepper Kg/ha 199 217 888 346
(WYD 1)
Northern Hills Coffee 1031 705 1500 45.49
(WYD 1)
Central Plateau Pepper Kg/ha 583 217 3500 500.0
(WYD 2)
Central Plateau Coffee(Kg/ha) 1200 705 3000 150
(WYD 2)
Northern Coastal Cashew(Kg/ha) 1100 1071 1800 63.64
(KNR 1)
Northern Coastal Arecanut (Kg/palm) 1.3 0.93 3.6 176.92
(KNR 1)
Kaipad lands ( Paddy (t/ha) 2.90 1.73 6.0 106.90
KNR 2)
Northern laterites Banana(t/ha) 20.2 7.8 60 197.03

61
(KNR 3)
Southern High hills Rubber (Kg/ha) 1600 1499 2000 25.0
(IDK 2)
Southern High hills Cardamom (Kg/ha) 387.50 137 650 67.74
(IDK 2)
Southern Central Tapioca (t/ha) 23 29 100 334.78
laterites (ALP 5)
Source : CSRC, Karamana, Kerala Agricultural University and Kerala State Planning Board

Future crop yields may hinge on the ability of farmers to narrow the gap between
the current yields and Yield Potential Ceilings. Improving crop yields at a pace
commensurate with growth in output demand will require significant reduction in current
yield gaps. A wide range of yield gaps are observed in various AEUs. Many rainfed
cropping systems appear to have relatively large yield gaps that could be closed with
existing technologies, but persist largely for economic and development reasons. These
gaps have basically emanated due to ecological distortions i.e., soil & water, availability of
inputs particularly certified/quality seeds of improved varieties and imbalanced use of
fertilizers across the regions and inadequate incentives.

Over several plan periods the wide gap in target and achievements are reported in
growth, production and yield levels. There is no concerted effort to divide the target across
agro climate/agro ecological units of the state. A comprehensive exercise has to be initiated
at state level to implement developmental interventions at various agro-ecological units
with well-defined physical targets. In each agro-ecological unit resource based plan
including the yield gap could be addressed in a time bound manner.

a) Adoption of technologies in selected agro-ecological units of Kerala

The technology adoption indices have been worked out by Kerala Agricultural
University as part of the project on agro-ecology funded and coordinated by the Kerala
State Planning Board for fertilizer application and the plant protection practices for various
crops in Kerala and also percentage of farmers adopting various technologies has also been
derived. The details were worked out based on key informant surveys and limited farmer
surveys. The study will provide an indication and detailed studies are required to
decompose further dimension of technology adoption.

62
 A definite relation between the productivity gap (Table 3.2) and adoption
percentage is obvious. In case of Onattukara coastal plains yield gap in rice is 145.28 %
and that in coconut is 207.69 %. About 11.11 % of rice farmers of the region do not apply
any lime and insecticides and more than 55 % do not apply any fungicides though fungal
diseases are serious issue in the zone. Low productivity of coconut in the zone could be
linked with the fact that nearly 44 % are not applying any chemical fertilizers to already
unproductive soil and 96 % of the farmers are not applying any fungicides even though
fungal diseases like bud rot and leaf rot are serious problems in the zone.

Table 3.2: Adoption Percentage of major technologies in selected AEUs

Name of AEU % of farmers
Not Lime Not Inorganic Not Insecticide Not Fungicid
applying applicatio applying fertilizer applying applicatio applying e
Lime n <50 % inorganic applicatio insecticide n <50 % fungicide applicati
of POP fertilisers n <50 % s of POP s on <50
of POP % of
POP
Onattukara
sandy plain
Rice 11.11 66.7 11.1 22.2 11.1 22.2 55.6 11.11
Coconut 12.0 8.0 44.0 4.0 88.0 4.0 96.0 0.0
Kuttanad
Rice 0.0 30.4 4.3 0 4.3 82.6 73.9 26.1
Coconut 3.6 50.00 3.6 64.3 67.9 28.6 100.0 0
Kole lands
Paddy 20.8 41.7 8.30 4.20 45.80 0.0 83.3 12.50
Pokkali lands
Coconut 7.1 35.7 0 46.4 53.6 10.70 100.0 0
Northern
laterites
Pepper NA NA 70.83 20.83 95.83 0 95.83 4.17
Rice 83.33 16.67 0 33.33 66.67 33.33 100 0
Northern Hills
Pepper NA NA 7.7 7.7 84.6 7.7 80 10
Coffee NA NA 0 0 91.7 8.3 100 0
Wayanad
Central Plateau
Pepper NA NA 9.1 0 72.7 9.1 90.9 0
Coffee NA NA 7.7 7.7 100.0 0.0 50.0 0
Northern
Coastal Plain
Arecanut NA NA 46.7 33.3 86.7 0 100.0 0
Kaipad Lands
Paddy 26.67 46.7 13.33 26.70 53.33 0 100 0
Northern
Laterites
Banana NA NA 25.9 22.2. 18.50 3.70 96.30 0
Southern High

63
Hills
Rubber NA NA 37.50 37.50 NA NA 56.30 0
Cardamom 0.0 45.50 9.50 18.20 45.50 9.10 90.90 0
Southern
Central
Laterites
Tapioca NA NA 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 NA NA

In Kuttanad the productivity gap in rice is 76.06 % and for coconut 628.86 %. In
case of rice the gap is due to low adoption of plant protection practices. About 83 % of the
farmers apply only less than 50 % of recommended dose of insecticides and 74 % rice
farmers do not apply any fungicides. The coconut farmers in the zone donot apply any
fungicides. In Kole lands yield gap in rice is about 112.53 %. More than 20 % rice farmers
in the zone do not apply any lime and more than 40 % apply only half the required
quantity. Similarly there is a low adoption of plant protection practices in the zone and
more than 45 % rice famers do not apply any insecticides and more than 83 % do not apply
fungicides. Yield gap in coconut in Pokkali area of Ernakulam district is 185.7 %. In this
region very low adoption of plant protection measures could be attributed to the yield gap.
In Northern Laterites the gap in pepper productivity is huge (385 %). Very low adoption of
nutrient management and plant protection practices prevail in the zone. More than 70 % of
the farmers do not apply any chemical fertilizers and more than 95 % do not apply any
insecticides and fungicides.

In Northern Hills of Wayanad district the yield gap in pepper is 346 % and that in
coffee is 45.49 %. Very low adoption of plant protection measures prevail in the region.
More than 84 % of the farmers do not apply any insecticides and more than 80 % do not
apply any fungicides even though fungal diseases are serious problem in the region. In case
of coffee more the 90 % of farmers do not apply any insecticides and none of them follow
any fungicide application. The plant protection adoption trend in Wayanad Central Plateau
also shows the same trend which is reflected in the low productivity of pepper and coffee
in the region.

In Northern Coastal plains, the yield gap in arecanut is 176.92 %. The adoption of
technology analysis shows that more than 46 % of the farmers do not apply any chemical
fertilizers and 80-100 % arecanut farmers do not adopt any plant protection which might

64
have contributed to low productivity of the crop. In Kaipad lands, the gap in Paddy
productivity is 106.90 %. More than 26 % of rice farmers do not apply any liming material
in the zone and more than 50 % of farmers do not apply any insecticides and nearly 100 %
of rice famers avoid fungicide application.

In Northern Laterites 197 % the yield gap exists in banana. More than 96 % of the
banana farmers of the region do not apply any fungicides for their crop though fungal
diseases are prevalent. In Southern High Hills yield gap in rubber is 25 % while that in
cardamom is 68 %. It could be seen that nearly 37.5 % of the rubber farmers are not
applying any chemical fertilizers and more than 56 % do not apply any fungicides in the
zone. The low productivity of cardamom in the region is probably on account of poor
adoption of plant protection measures. Complete ignorance of plant protection measures
could have contributed to yield gap of tapioca in Southern Central Laterites.

Extension activities focusing on better dissemination of location specific and

standard technologies along with a mission mode project for addressing yield gap would be
helpful in narrowing the yield gap in major crops across different agro-ecological situations
of the state. In designing any development intervention for addressing the yield gaps the
practical realities on viability of farming in the State has also to be taken in to account.

b) Agro-ecological unit- wise technology packages

The package of practices recommendations developed for the state does not often
addresses the regional variations in crop production potential and constraints. Since the
Agro-ecological unit-wise studies show distinct intra unit variations with respect to crop
yields, specific package mitigating the yield barriers in each AEU should be developed to
address the yield gap and to enhance the general productivity of the AEU in match with the
highest productivity obtained from the AEU.

Soil Resource Management is another issue to be addressed at the AEU level. Wide
spread deficiency of secondary and micro-nutrients are observed in several Agro-
ecological units. Specific soil ameliorating strategy has to be developed and recommended

65
for each AEU and AEU-wise recommendation of manures, soil amendments and fertilizers
need to be developed for realising this objective.

Technology refinement is another aspect to be addressed while developing an AEU-

wise package. Though traditionally and other wise different farming systems are practiced
in different AEUs of the state the gaps in technology should be addressed to reap maximum
benefits. The aspects like development of varieties suited to each AEU, addressing AEU
specific issues, technology package for optimum productivity in each AEU, soil resource
and fertility management etc. are some of the issues to be addressed under Technology
Refinement.

3.1.1.2: Improved Soil Health Management

Intensive cultivation often with incorrect soil and crop management practices have
given rise to heavy loss in soil quality. Organic manure application has been greatly
neglected in the state in recent years due to lack of availability and high cost. This may
have an adverse effect on soil quality parameters. Improper or excessive use of chemical
fertilizers has created imbalances in plant available nutrients in the soil. The
comprehensive study on soil health for State co-ordinated by Kerala State Planning Board
revealed the acidity of soils in about 90% of samples, Magnesium deficiency in 74 percent
of samples, boron deficiency is 54 percent and excess of phosphorous in 62 percent
samples.

Based on soil studies conducted in all parts of the State, use of micro nutrients, such
as Boron will be promoted where ever necessary. The need based nutrients will be
popularized based on the Panchayat wise nutrient management plans. Adequate soil testing
facilities for micro nutrients will also be established.

The practices like liming which can rectify acidity are not given enough attention.
All these have affected the productivity of Kerala soils. A major soil health management
initiative is under implementation in 12th Plan, focusing on acidity management,
application of secondary and micronutrients and correction of phosphorous. More proactive
steps are required to regain the soil health for improving productivity. The experience of

66
Brazil in reviving agriculture through soil health management is an amazing example (Box
3.1).

BOX 3.1: Agriculture in Cerrado: the Brazilian Miracle

In less than thirty years Brazil has turned itself from a food importing nation to
one of the world‘s great bread baskets, catching up with the traditional ―big five‖
grain exporters: America, Canada, Australia, Argentina and European Union. It is also
the first tropical food giant: total value of country‘s crops rose from $20 billion (1990)
to $120 billion in 2010. Equally impressive gains were recorded for beef exports
(surpassing Australia), cattle herd (next only to India), export of poultry, and
production of sugarcane, ethanol and coffee. Interestingly this was achieved without
deforestation of the Tropical Amazon rainforests.

This great feat, unparalleled in history, was achieved by application of modern

soil science, spearheaded by tropical soil science research in Brazil, for utilization of
vast uncultivated areas of Cerrado, long considered unsuitable for human food
production, into highly productive agricultural lands. The Cerrado is the second
largest biome after Amazonia in Brazil, covering 2.04 million sq. kilometer and
representing the most extensive savanna type vegetation in South America. The major
areas of Cerrado are on the central Brazilian plateau where annual rainfall is typically
between 1,100 to 1,600 mm. Most soils of Cerrado are deep with favourable physical
characteristics. However, the tropical highly weathered soils (Oxisols and Ultisols)
have very unfavourable chemistry and serious limitations for crop production in terms
of natural soil fertility: highly acid soils with low reserves of organic matter, nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, copper, zinc, boron and
molybdenum but high aluminium saturation and phosphorus fixation capacity.
Although the vast areas of Cerrado in the central-west Brazil had vegetation of grasses
and small trees, the natural vegetation is chemically so poor that there are no accounts
indicating large herds of mammals inhabiting the savanna. In the Cerrado, the
domestic cattle often died from broken bones after grazing only calcium and
phosphorus deficient grasses and ranchers came to refer Cerrado as the place to loose
cattle.

67
 A breakthrough in tropical soil management technology for surmounting the
limitations, ushered in during seventies of last century, made the Cerrado region the
focus of agricultural production in Brazil. In 1955 only 200,000 ha of Cerrado were
considered arable. In 2005, over 40 million ha were in cultivation. This phenomenal
achievement over a span of less than 50 years is the world‘s single largest increase in
farm land expansion since the settlements of Midwest USA, starting 1850. The
technological breakthrough was centered around better scientific understanding of the
chemical constraints of the tropical soils, long considered by many as insurmountable.
The components of the technology pack that achieved the breakthrough are listed
briefly.

1. Liming to correct low pH and Al in surface soil. Agricultural lime was

supplemented with dolomitic lime stone to supplement for magnesium. Lime
rate of 3-4 tonnes per ha met the immediate needs and provided for residual
effect for 3 to 5 years. The rate for different areas was based on Al saturation
and desirable base saturation for intended crops.
2. Amelioration of subsoil acidity: Low levels of calcium in subsoil and high Al
toxicity restricting root extension was ameliorated through application of
gypsum, a cheap byproduct of phosphoric acid production. Increase in yields
from gypsum use is mainly due to increased rooting depth and more efficient
use of subsoil water and nutrients.
3. Building up of soil phosphate levels: The availability of phosphorus in Cerrado
soils is abysmally low. Again, much of the added nutrient is fixed by the very
high amounts of the oxides of iron and aluminium present is these soils.
Therefore it was essential to build up the phosphorus levels to satisfactory
levels for crop production. Common approach adopted was to gradually build P
status in little excess, say 25% of crop requirement, every year for 5 to 6 years.
4. Building up potash, secondary and micro-nutrients following the same strategy
as that for phosphorus.
5. Building up organic matter through minimum or no-tillage, crop rotation,
return of crop residues, agro-forestry etc.
6. Maintaining fertilization after the initial build up.

68
 7. Introduction and improvement of grasses through breeding to suit the tropical
soils to produce high levels of fodder.
8. Breeding of crops like soybean and corn to suit the tropical acid soil conditions.
9. Integrated farming involving agriculture, agro-forestry and livestock.

Though Cerrado‘s agriculture miracle had very high technological component,

it did not happen as a simple technological fix, rather through EMRAPA‘s (the
Brazilian Agricultural Research Establishment) system approach of technology
adoption and continuous improvement. Brazil has 300 m ha of arable land (if not
more): only 50 m ha is currently being used. If the rapid pace at which the infertile
Cerrado is converted into crop lands is any indication, the potential of agriculture
development in the country is enormous.

3.1.1.3: Improved Plant Health Management

The new approach of crop health management envisaged is management towards

sustainable ecosystems and people's health through Good Plant Protection Practices
(GPPP). Pest management strategies need to recognize that crop health is an essential
element of sustainable agriculture. Improvements in integrated pest management can lead
to sound crop health management.

Plant health clinics were established in Krishi bhavans to support pest and disease
surveillance and advisories. Diagnostic tool kits was also provided to the clinics attached to
the Krishi bhavans. Farmer Field Schools (FFS) were established in all Panchayats as part
of work plan under ATMA, for promoting plant health management and integrated pest
management District Diagnostic Team was constituted as part of pests and disease
surveillance project. Pests and disease diagnostic materials were developed to support the
clinics.

69
 A PG Diploma programme has
also been initiated focusing to expand
ecological engineering, in farm
production units for trichoderma etc.
Further expansion of innovative crop
health management in various
agroecological units will significantly
improve adoption of ecological
agriculture practices.
Biopharmacy in Vadakkancherry Krishibhavan

3.1.1.4: Promote new technologies

Hi-Tech Agriculture has been given priority in the State during the 12 th Plan period.
The promotion of Hi-tech agriculture and open precision farming was initiated in 2012-13
as part of Vegetable Development programme in the state.

Production under protective cultivations has become the principal way for Isreali
growers to ensure a constant, year round supply of high quality products while minimizing
the use of chemicals. The philosophical approach is to take advantage of local climatic
conditions and adjust the plants to the existing conditions and technologies with minimal or
non-energy inputs. This approach requires high skills and excellent supporting systems and
technologies. There are more than 50 countries now in the world, where cultivation of
crops is undertaken on a commercial scale under cover.

Protected cultivation is a method of cultivation of plants/crops in artificial

environment to protect the plants/crops from wind, excessive radiation, temperature
extremes, insect-pests and diseases. In the present scenario of perpetual demand of fruits
and vegetables, in order to increase their production round the year and shrinking land
holding drastically, protected cultivation is the best alternative and drudgery-less approach
for using land and other resources more efficiently. In protected cultivation, the natural
environment is modified to suitable conditions for optimum plant growth, which ultimately
provides quality fruits, vegetables and flowers. Greenhouse is now better understood as a
system of controlled environment agriculture (CEA), with precise control of air and root
temperature, water, humidity, plant nutrition, carbon dioxide and light. It will lead to

70
superior quality produce with high yield (300- 600% increase), Percentage of
germination of seeds and success of grafted and tissue cultured plants under protected
cultivation is high (98 to 100%). Greenhouses are suitable for automation of irrigation,
application of other inputs and environmental controls by using computers and artificial
intelligence techniques.

In Kerala about 1200 green houses were established mainly for the production of
vegetables and a series of capacity building programmes were organized. Drip irrigation
with fertigation as well as rain shelter are also being promoted to enhance vegetable
production in the state. However further technical support for construction, crop
management as well as service facilities are required for developing the protected and
technology oriented cultivation in the state. A beginning on new technology has been
initiated for the last three years in the State which has to be sustained and expanded.

Nano technology – Nano

technology based products and its
application in agriculture include nano
fertilizers, nano herbicides, nano-
pesticides, recalcitrant contaminants
from water, nano scale carriers, nano
sensors etc. This fast growing
technology is already having a
significant commercial impact, which
will certainly increase in future.

3.1.1.5: Develop Technology Infrastructure

Adequate infrastructure support in research and development institutions should be

supported for state of the art technology infrastructure, focusing more on biotechnology,
nanotechnology, high-tech, diagnostics etc.

3.1.1.6: Promote Innovation

There is considerable wealth of farmer innovations in agriculture. Further financial

support and hand holding support can go a long way in improving productivity in
agriculture through local innovations.
71
3.1.2: Pillar 2: Raise Investment in Infrastructure

Public investment in agriculture has a potential to enlarge the potential base of

agriculture through the stimulation effect. Productivity increase in agriculture is an
effective driver of economic growth both within and outside agricultural sectors. Such
productivity increase depends on good rural infrastructure, well-functioning domestic
markets, appropriate institutions and appropriate technology.
The focus areas are shown below
1. Promote block level soil and water conservation
2. Promote minor irrigation including micro irrigation
3. Investment in Input production Infrastructure
4. Market/storage/post harvest

3.1.2.1: Soil, Water conservation and Irrigation

Investment in irrigation and soil and water conservation is a prerequisite for the
improvement of agriculture in Kerala. Detailed strategies and focus areas are mentioned in
the section on irrigation.

3.1.2.2: Input production

The shortage of planting material production is to be addressed to augment

productivity as well as to improve growth of the sector. There is a widening gap in the
supply and demand of planting materials. Investment in farms, nurseries, setting up of
block level nurseries, as well as investment in the production of biocontrol agents are to be
supported.

3.1.2.3: Laboratory networks

The department of Agriculture is having a network of laboratories in the state

covering soil testing, tissue culture production, quality control, bio control, etc. A
significant increase in investment is required to equip the laboratories to cater to the need
of the farmers.

72
3.1.2.4: Market/ storage/ post-harvest

Efficient marketing
infrastructure and storage
facilities is essential for cost
effective marketing. Market
infrastructure is required at all
stages of the supply chain.
Strengthening of existing
wholesale markets, farmers
markets, markets of clusters and

apex bodies, low cost storage structures are essential for the development of agriculture.
Govt. should increase direct investment in basic market oriented infrastructure like storage,
processing and marketing. Appropriate regulatory mechanism should be provided to
ensure quality standards of produce.

3.1.3: Pillar 3: Strengthening livelihood and assured income

Different contexts and needs require different types of investments to guide the
specific choice of interventions to improve livelihoods of farmers. Each individual farm
has its own specific characteristics, which arise from variations in resource endowments
and family circumstances. Appropriate development interventions have to be promoted to
exploit the potential under the socioeconomic circumstances of the Agroecological units.

The focus areas are shown below

1. Revival of the perennial Tree crop systems

2. Promote homesteads & Integrated Farming Systems
3. Food and nutrients security
4. Mechanisation
5. Climate smart agriculture
6. Support for low cost credit
7. Promote value added agriculture
8. Risk management

73
 9. Urban agriculture
10. Social safety nets

3.1.3.1: Revival of the perennial Tree crop systems

As already mentioned the cropping pattern in the state is skewed towards cash
crops. But the productivity of these tree crops especially pepper and coconut is low. Hence
their revival is necessary .Coconut is largely affected by root wilt disease. The threatening
effect of root wilt disease of coconut on the stability of production of coconut is a matter of
grave concern. The disease is rampant in all the southern districts of the state and has
already affected over 30 million palms. Replanting and rehabilitation of disease affected
coconut palms, diversification of farming systems, cluster development and incentivisation
for the promotion of investment, mechanisms for effective procurement at remunerative
prices and support mechanisms for labour are required for the development of the most
important crop of the State. Unless incentive systems are encouraging, investment for
scientific management of holdings may not materialize. Regarding pepper, India is a major
producer of pepper in the world with 25 per cent share in production. Moreover, Kerala
continues to enjoy a near monopoly in area and production of pepper accounting for 95 per
cent each in the country. However the productivity achieved is very low in Kerala which is
only about 1/10th of the productivity of Vietnam which is the largest producer of pepper in
the world. On the production side low yield, damage to standards, crop loss due to pests
and diseases, post-harvest losses and fluctuating prices are causing declining area and
production of spices in the State. Massive rehabilitation and revival programme is needed
to enhance the productivity. The results of Sugandhi project implemented in Wayanad,
focusing on soil health management could be scaled up. The model of pepper gardens in
Vietnam are shown below in Box 3.2. Lessons need to be learned from Vietnam on the
management of pepper for increasing productivity.

74
Box: 3.2
LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM VIETNAM ON BLACK PEPPER
CULTIVATION
The high production and productivity of black pepper in Vietnam is due to the
following procedures they adopt in pepper cultivation

1) Source of planting material: They collect leader orthotropic shoots from 1-2
year old vines. Shoots of 4-5nodes are planted at the rate of 3-4 per standard. A
conventional nursery as adopted in India is seldom noticed in general, in
Vietnam!. After field planting, the top and sides are completely covered (with
nylon nets/ dried coconut leaves ensuring adequate light). High humidity and
moisture provided through sprinklers would ensure maximum germination of
the planted cuttings. The overhead shade is maintained at least for two years in
the field.
2) As the shoot grows, they are trained /tied to dead standard. The growing shoots
are pruned at 6-8 months and later after fourteen months. This would ensure
good canopy coverage of the bush with good number of fruiting laterals, right
from the base as they grow up. This pruning method helps quick canopy
development.
3) Since they adopt dead standards/supports, all the nutrients applied will be
utilized by pepper alone unlike in India where there is a competition for
nutrients between the pepper and live supports and hence the limitation.
However the nutrients are applied in 4-5 splits in Vietnam and are very high (5-
6kg/vine). This practice is detrimental to soil health. However farmers are
proned to adopt high fertilizer dose to get higher yields ignoring soil health.
4) The method that pepper farmer adopts, micro sprinkler irrigation systems at the
base of the vine is very important. This would ensure adequate soil moisture
that helps in supporting feeder root system of the vine for its health, sustenance
and longevity of the vines.
5) In general farmers adopt dead logs as standard/supports. In recent years due to
non-availability of the dead wood poles, farmers are adopting the erection of
concrete poles (14 feets, 2 feet for anchorage & 12 feet to maintain the height
of the bush).

75
 Of late, some of the Vietnam farmers are adopting pepper as a mixture
crop in coffee plantations, which is in vogue in India.
The disease problems in the plantation are the same as we notice in
India and disease management practices are adopted. However There is an
intensive phytosanitation and replanting without any time gap, even though it is
not advisable. Farmers are generally happy if they get 10-15 harvest (on an
average 2-3kg/vine).
In India it is important to adopt massive replanting programs with
healthy rooted cuttings of leader orthotropic shoots, followed by adequate
shade regulation for at least 2years. The nutrient management followed by
moisture management are two basic prerequisite that need to adhered through
implementation of GAP, IPM &INM.

Ready for planting with background of grown up vines-Replanting is continuous process

76
Pepper planted with leader orthotropic shoots at the base of the dead standards

Pepper with live supports (10 month old)

77
Pepper plantation (Approximately 14 months) with a canopy development

10 year old pepper vines in high ranges of Vietnam

78
A long view of pepper plantation where nylon net coverage is still noticed at the top of pepper vines

3.1.3.2: Promote Homesteads and Integrated farming systems

According to the Ninth Agricultural Census of Kerala, the average size of an

operational holding was 0.22 ha in 2010-11. This was against 0.24 ha in 2000-01. Also, out
of the total holdings, the size group below one ha (marginal farmers) accounts for 96.33 per
cent of the total number of holdings. The total area operated by these holdings works out to
58.62 per cent of the total area and the average size of the group is 0.13 ha . It is for these
populous marginal farmers that intensive land use practices like integrated farming are
becoming increasingly important.

The goal of sustainable agriculture is to conserve the natural resource base, protect
the environment and enhance prosperity for a longer period of time. This assumes great
importance, especially in view of the fact that the year 2014 has been declared as the
―International Year of Family Farming‖ by the United Nations General Assembly. This
worldwide celebration, declared, aims to stimulate active policies for sustainable
development of agricultural systems based farmer families, communal units, indigenous
groups, cooperatives and fishing families.

79
 An integrated farming system consists of a range of resource-saving practices that
aim to achieve acceptable profits and high and sustained production levels, while
minimizing the negative effects of intensive farming and preserving the environment
(IFAD, 2005). Based on the principle of enhancing natural biological processes above and
below the ground, the integrated system represents a winning combination that reduces
erosion, increases crop yields, soil biological activity and nutrient recycling, intensifies
land use, improves profits and can therefore help reduce poverty and malnutrition and
strengthen environmental sustainability. Homesteads in Kerala are predominantly
practicing integrated farming. The bioresource flows in an integrated farming system
model developed by cropping system research station of Kerala Agricultural University in
shown in Figure. These are traditional farming systems practiced in Kerala.

80
 Fig 3.1: Bio-resource flows in an integrated farming system model developed for
central Kerala

Perennials
10. Coconut

11. Arecanut
Nutrients Nutrients
12. Pepper
Nutrients 13. Jack

14. Mango
Annuals
15. Bilimbi Fodder
1. Cowpea
16. Mahogany 19. Guinea /
2. Bitter gourd
Fruits, Oil, Spice, Timber,
L Fuel Hybrid Napier
3. Cucumber

4. Bhindi a
Food Labour
5. Amaranthus b F

6. Cassava o e

7. Banana u e
Milk, Meat, Egg, Fish
r F
8. Ginger d

9. Amorphophallus
Livestock e

Organic 20. Cow Organic e

manure manure
21. Poultry
Feed 22. Quails

23. Geese

24. Fish

Source: FSRS, KAU

Integrated farming satisfies the requirements of sustainability by being productive,

ecologically sound, stable, economically viable and socially acceptable. The productive
facet arises from the fact that home gardens are resource islands that provide a wide variety
of goods for domestic consumption such as food, beverages, construction materials,
firewood and household supplies. Nutrient cycling processes become particularly relevant
in Integrated Farming Systems.

81
 In integrated farming systems, removal from the nutrient pool includes mainly
uptake by the trees and crops which is either locked up in the vegetative parts (mainly in
trees) or exported through harvested produce. Nutrient removal through harvested produce
is compensated by nutrient input through manure, fertilizer, recycled crop residues and tree
nutrient cycling processes. Leaching loss, which is considerably high in most non-
agroforestry land-use systems, is minimized in integrated farming systems. The tree
components by virtue of their deep roots intercept, absorb and recycle nutrients that would
have been otherwise lost by leaching, thereby making the nutrient cycle more closed.
Furthermore, the dense canopy cover provided by the trees/crops protects the soil against
the direct action of rain, thus reducing surface runoff. A dynamic equilibrium can be
expected with respect to organic matter and plant nutrients due to the continuous addition
of leaf litter and its constant removal through decomposition.

The presence of livestock in integrated farming systems, through its continuous

supply of manure, permit the efficient recycling of a portion of the nutrients locked up in
its feed (cultivated fodder, leaves of trees, crop waste, hay, oil cakes etc.). However, sale
of manure leads to export of nutrients from the system and should therefore be used in
composting or applied as slurry for crops in the system. It can be summarized that, plant
nutrients are, therefore, involved in a constant and somewhat closed cycling within the soil
and plant compartments, with minimal output (loss) from the system.

A negative nutrient balance means the natural capital of the farm is being mined.
Farmers can maintain nutrient balances in the soil by recycling locally available organic
materials or recycled farm wastes, utilizing microorganisms that fix nitrogen and mobilize
phosphates. Besides, preventing soil erosion can help to avert and compensate for losses
and exports of nutrients and organic matter. Farmyard manure, urine, slurry, compost,
composted poultry manure, vermi-compost, green manure and green leaf manure, crop
residues such as straw and stems, fallen dry leaves, kitchen waste, and azolla can be used in
manuring if produced in the farm itself.

One way to improve utilization of manure is through biogas production and

cultivation of earthworms. Biogas is considered one of the cheapest renewable energies in
rural areas of developing countries. Production of biogas not only saves firewood but is
also beneficial for integrated farming systems by converting manure into an improved

82
fertilizer for crops or in ponds for fish and water plants. When livestock are available, a
simple and low-cost biodigester can be developed. For medium and large scale farmers,
biogas can be used to replace part of the oil to produce electricity and the effluent can be
used to fertilize the crops. Earthworms provide another route for the recycling of manure
and are especially appropriate for the processing of excreta from goats and rabbits which,
for physical reasons, is not suitable as a substrate for biodigesters. Further hand holding,
financial support and extension support are crucial for the development of integrated
farming systems. The pilot project supported though ATMA Plus needs to be scaled up
substantially.

3.1.3.3: Food and Nutrition Security

Rice is a socially and hydrologically important crop for Kerala. The wet humid
tropical climate of Kerala is conducive to the cultivation of rice and traditionally rice
occupied a prime position in Kerala‘s agriculture However, area under paddy has been
declining over the years, with a possibility of extinction of rice farming in the state on a
long term perspective.

Intensive efforts need to be taken to arrest further conversion of paddy lands so as to

retain the existing paddy area and at the same time, bring more fallow land under
cultivation, promote lease land cultivation and also convert sizable area from single crop to
double crop and double to triple crop. The current productivity of 2.30 t/ha has to be
increased to 4.0 t/ha so as to achieve the production target. This increased productivity
could be achieved through popularization of SRI, regional rice development projects on
AEU wise, risk management, plant health and water management strategies and
popularisation of appropriate rice hybrids in larger areas and promotion of scientific rice
farming through group approach coupled with remunerative procurement price. The
ongoing projects need to be scaled up substantially to augment production in the State.

The production of vegetables in the State is not sufficient to meet the requirement.
The Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Department of Agriculture, State Horticulture
Mission and Local governments are involved in the promotion of vegetables. By the end of
12th Five Year Plan, the requirement of vegetables for the state is estimated to be 38.62

83
lakh tons based on population projections. Within the limitations and situations that prevail
in the state, a wide variety of vegetables are grown in Kerala.

The challenge of ensuring equitable access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food
will intensify in coming years. The strategies encompasses using the same or less land and
water, fewer inputs and have a lower environmental impact to produce safe and nutritious
food. Comprehensive project for the production of vegetables in achieving self-sufficiency
by the end of 13th five year plan is in place covering development of clusters, homestead
and urban vegetable cultivation, rainshelter cultivation, micro irrigation with fertigation,
hybrid production, setting up of demonstration units for micronutrients, organizing block
level federated organization as apex bodies of clusters, bio inputs, nurseries and markets,
promotion of school and vegetable garden under an overall safe to eat and safe to
environment approach. The success of vegetable development scheme achieved though
social capital development and convergence is shown in Box as an example. Further
consolidation of vegetable initiatives are proposed to increase productivity, setting up of
low cost storage structures, Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) mode of good
agricultural practices, marketing, consolidation of social capital development etc.

Box:89

Mobilisation of Social Capital in Vegetable Cultivation : Experience of Irinave

Haritha Vegetable Cluster in Kalliasseri Grama Panchayath, Kannur District.

Kalliasseri Panchayath is located 12 km north of Kannur Town. It is a highly

urbanized village with an area of 15 sq. km. and more than 7500 households. As per the
Krishi Bhavan basic data vegetable cultivation is limited to 3 ha which is confined in
scattered household kitchen garden.

In 2013-‗14 vegetable cultivation in 5 ha in the form of a Cluster was undertaken

in Irinave area of Kalliasseri Panchayath, under Vegetable Development Programme
(VDP), Department of Agriculture, and Government of Kerala. Being a non-traditional
area for commercial vegetable cultivation widespread consultation with various
stakeholders were undertaken to find a suitable site. The area was fallow for more than 20
years. The local farmers Organization, Irinave Co-op. Bank Officials, and Department

84
 officials together took
efforts to get the
consent from the land
owners and published
a supplementary
newspaper to create
awareness among the
local people about the
scheme, as a result of
which they could
identify 2 more hectares and expand the area to 5 Ha. A Cluster Committee was formed
with 70 member farmers. These farmers had no previous experience in vegetable
cultivation.

Group Dynamics

The entire area was

divided into 13 plots and 70
farmers were organized into 13
groups. The 70 farmers rallied
in the field created a festive
mood leading to the
development of positive group
dynamic. This resulted in team
work, mutual respect, co-
operation and leadership. The
synergy created by this ambiences added fuel for initiating and mobilizing the activities of
the cluster.

85
CONVERGENCE

ATMA, Capacity building component was utilized in training 20 farmers in tiller

operation. As a result ploughing charges could be reduced considerably. Participation of
leaders like Grama Panchayath President, Block Panchayath President in tiller operation
enhanced enthusiasm and confidence among the farmers.

Soil and water were tested with the help of District Soil Testing Laboratory and Mobile
Soil Testing Laboratory. The Cluster Committee functioned as a support group to help
the entire cluster; they also cultivated vegetable as a group. The Secretary, Service Co-
operative Bank and Agricultural Officer together prepared a layout for the entire area
which facilitated scientific and systematic cultivation.

Seedlings and seeds were procured from State Horticulture Mission and Vegetable and
Fruit Promotion Council Keralam. FYM/cattle manure produced by farmers themselves,
neem-cake and other inputs supplied by Service Co-operative Bank, and Trichoderma,
Pseudomonas, insect traps etc. purchased from KVK, Kannur who acted as the support
group. Land preparation, Liming, spraying basal dose application was carried as per the
instruction of Agricultural Officer. The interest free loan to the limit of Rs. 1,50,000/-
sanctioned by Irinave Service Co-operative Bank helped the cluster to carry out its
activities smoothly.

At this stage the cluster

was rated on merits and upgraded
to ‗A‘ Grade Cluster. Creation of
water harvesting structure, Open
Field Precision Farming, Plastic
Mulching, Zero Energy Cool
Chamber, Rain Shelter, Nursery
and Seedling Production Centre,
land property purchase worth
Rs.2 lakhs, Bio-input Centre and market were the main attractions of the ‗A‘ Grade
Cluster.

ATMA Capacity building, with in District Training, FFs, Exposure visit to

86
community Agro-biodiversity Centre Wayanad, demonstrations all lead to massive
adoption of scientific technology which focused on ICM which lead to high yield of
vegetables free of toxins.

The support group procured the produce from the field and marketed through a
farm gate market outlet. Consumers from nearby areas and neighbouring villages visited
the field and purchased safe to eat vegetables from the outlet. The balance produce were
sold in the ‗A‘ Grade market situated in the highway. The awareness against residual
toxicity in the vegetables that came across the state borders prompted the villagers to buy
locally produced vegetables.

The marketing was made possible without the exploitation of middlemen. The
production during the first year in the cluster was 60 tones which was increased to 75
tones during
2014-15.
Assistance worth
Rs. 6,30,000/- for
‗A‘ Grade cluster
and Rs.75,000/-
for cultivation
was received
during the 1st
year and Rs.
2,75,000/- during the IInd year. Around Rs. 12 lakhs worth vegetables were produced in
1st year and Rs. 15 lakhs worth vegetables during 2nd year.

IMPACTS

1. The formation of local people in to Farmer Groups promoted team work.

2. Capacity building to undertake various innovative activities.
3. Leadership development among the farmers and further improvement in the
leadership qualities of the organizers.
4. Wide spread technology adoption

87
 5. Ownership and asset creation
6. Suitable linkage between Department of Agriculture, Service Co-operative Bank,
Farmer Groups, KVK, Kerala Agriculture University, VFPCK, ATMA which will
guarantee the sustainability of vegetable cultivation in farmers.
7. Got rid of anti-social elements from the location.
8. Area expansion of vegetables in Panchayath and nearby Panchayath. Non-
traditional area for vegetables became a traditional belt and area of cultivation
increased from 3 ha to 25 ha.
9. Virtually the cluster area turned out to be a Farm School, School of Students and
Teachers, Officials Experts from various agencies visited the area.
10. Local Economic Development. Income of the member farmers increased, change
in lifestyle and attitude was hastened as safe mode was made possible.

3.1.3.4: Mechanization
Mechanization is an important element in agriculture development of the state. A
number of initiatives are under implementation in the state. The agroservice centres are
working in selected blocks. New initiatives are needed to increase mechanization in the
state. Farm mechanization is a crucial input for improving agricultural production along
with improving labour productivity. Without farm power and appropriate tools,
implements and machines that can support the production of marketable surpluses, farmers
would struggle to emerge from subsistence farming. To improve and maintain
competitiveness, cost of production must be low which could be achieved through
mechanization. The demand for sustainable mechanization and services are expected to

88
rise. Strategies and projects have been formulated to provide support to new machines,
expanding custom hiring and agroservice centres, introduction of technologically advanced
equipments etc.

3.1.3.5: Climate smart agriculture

Climate smart agriculture is an evolving concept. Climate smart agriculture is not a
new agricultural system, nor a set of practices. It is a new approach, a way to guide the
needed changes of agricultural systems, given the necessity to jointly address fluctuation in
crop production and weather and climate change. Weather variability is expected to further
impact crop production both directly and indirectly. Increase of mean temperature,
changes in rain patterns, increased variability of rain patterns, changes in water availability,
the frequency and intensity of extreme events, sea level rise projected, perturbations in
ecosystem all will have profound compacts on agriculture and allied sectors. Building
resilience can be achieved by reducing vulnerabilities and increasing adaptive capacity,
increasing soil organic carbon improves both efficiency and resistance, which improves
nutrient and water intake by plants, increasing diversity of production at farm level regions.
A reorientation of agriculture towards climate smart practices is essential to build
resilience.

3.1.3.6: Support for Low cost credit

Additional support is required for the interest subvention as well as for supporting
interest subvention in investment credit. Details are given in the chapter on support from
Government of India.

3.1.3.7: Promote value added agriculture

India processes less than 2 percent of fruits and vegetables as compared to 30
percent in Thailand and 80 percent in Malaysia. Studies also reveal that more than four
dozen value added products are produced form derivatives of paddy in a small country like
Japan which produces only 2 percent of the total world production. Creation of food chain
starting from farm gate to retail outlets is inevitable. Strategies are required to find ways
for farmers to earn a greater share of the product sales revenue after adding value to their
own produce. Strategies & organizational model will vary from crop to crop. Cluster
based interventions, producer companies & individual initiatives are required to develop

89
value addition. A network of incubation centres, entrepreneurship development
programmes and reorientation of SFAC are proposed in the State for the development of
value addition focusing on spices, fruits and vegetables, coconut, neera, natural fibres,
bamboo etc. Additional support both in terms of financial and technical aspects are
required to utilize the potential.

3.1.3.8: Risk Management in Agriculture

The climate risk needs to be addressed for the sustainability of Agriculture.
Innovative insurance products, risk management funds as well as climate change
adaptation strategies are to be developed for the support of small and marginal farmers.
Agro ecological zone wise weather prediction as well as advisories is essential to move
towards climate adaptation. Weather advisory services are to be developed for various
locations for dissemination. Mechanisms for the price risk management also needs to be
put in place. The required support for risk management from Government of India is
mentioned in Chapter 4. Risk management initiatives are highly essential for the basic
survival of farmers of the state considering the nature of cropping pattern predominating
with perennial crops.

3.1.3.9: Urban Agriculture

Urban and periurban agriculture provides food production from different types of
crops, - grains, root crops, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits –animals –poultry, rabbit, fish
etc) as well as non-food products – aromatic and medicinal herbs, ornamental plants, trees
etc).

UA can make an important contribution to habituated food security, particularly of

fresh produce. The contribution of UA to food security and healthy nutrition is probably
the most important, aspect. Waste disposal has become a serious problem for most cities.
UA can contribute to solving this and related problems by turning urban waters into
productive resources. Compost production, vermiculture, irrigation with water, tree
planting also impact on the greening of the cities, the improvement of the urban
microclimate and the maintenance of biodiversity. They may also reduce the city‘s
ecological foot print by producing fresh foods close to the consumers, thereby reducing
every use for transport, packaging and cooling among officers.

90
 Among the major Indian States, Kerala recorded the highest growth in urbanization,
over the past decade. As per the projection of NCEAR, the share of urban population is
projected to be 68.87 per cent in 2031 in Kerala. The rapid urbanization process also
accelerates the extension of the city into the rural areas. According to a survey by UN State
of the World population report in 2007, by 2030, 40.76 % of country‘s population is
expected to reside in urban areas.

The rapid increase in urban population suggests the need for a reorientation of
ongoing urban agriculture initiatives. The challenges in urban agriculture include
inadequate availability of technical experts, organic inputs, service support etc. New
technologies are required for waste water processing and recirculation, new land saving
agricultural technologies etc. The urban agricultural production system is characterized by
a variety of agricultural microenterprises, the performance of which is only limited by
bioclimatic, land and socioeconomic restrictions, but also by important technical
restrictions. Although urban farmers are quite dynamic and innovative and have a vast
scope for technical improvement, the rate of technology development and diffusion in these
systems is still limited.

3.1.3.10: Expand Social Safety Nets

The need for safety nets for the farmers were not given adequate attention in the
past. Various support measures like pension have been introduced from 11th plan onwards.
This needs to be expanded with innovative models including health insurance and support
for education assistance of the children of farmers focusing on human development
dimensions. Income guarantee scheme has already been proposed in the state Agricultural
Development policy approved in 2015. The required support for safety nets from
Government of India is mentioned in chapter 4.

3.1.4: Pillar IV. Improve Service delivery

Services contribute to strengthening the assets of farmers and hence adapting and
sustaining their livelihoods in a changing context. This context changes continuously and
services are even increasingly becoming important. The focus areas under service delivery
are shown below:

91
3.1.4.1: Prominent and mainstreamed Extension system

Over the years several agricultural extension approaches have evolved. Among
them Training & Visit (T&V) system propounded by Daniel Bernor developed in early
1970‘s and implemented in the state with the support of World Bank from 1980 was the
predominant approach. The system was vigorously introduced by World Bank as a new
approach in extension. The system strengthened the research extension linkages by making
research findings more relevant to the needs of the state. The system was designed to
facilitate regular training of extension workers to enable them deliver recommended
technologies to farmers on a fortnightly basis. The system was abandoned in 1987 due to
its structural weakness and inherent administrative cost overrun, even though a number of
advantages were documented. Subsequently the ATMA model of extension was
introduced in the State during 10th Five Year Plan in the state to address the key constraints
faced by the extension system focusing on decentralized and demand driven approach. The
extension delivery was oriented towards group approach catering to the location specific
requirement of farmers. The district level ATMA is often highlighted as an innovative
model of public sector agricultural extension involving decentralization as well as
participatory and bottom up approaches.

In order to strengthen extension further in the state and to utilize the potential of
innovative lead farmers, a state supported scheme on lead farmer centered. Extension and
delivery services was initiated for implementation from 2010-11 onwards in two districts
and subsequently extended to two more districts where regular field visit followed in T &V
system and regular advisory system also introduced under the overall ATMA framework.
Further ATMA plus model by integrating another 15 components like promotion of
integrated farming, farmer technology development for the promotion of farmer
innovation, constitution of block level farmer extension organization, model panchayat
extension plan etc was initiated for implementation in all districts from 2013-14 using State
plan support based on SREP under the ATMA framework.

Strengthening of extension system is further visualised towards expansion of

successful development models along with service delivery focusing on labour support,
input support and other services like soil testing, crop health management, facilitating

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setting up of micro irrigation, polyhouses and rain shelters as part of modernization of
agriculture in an evolving labour scarce economy. Leveraging social capital is a key
element in the mainstreaming of extension in agriculture. The activities of farmer extension
organization organised at block level as an apex body of the Panchayat level groups is
given in box.

Box: 3.4
Oachira Farmers Extension Organization (OFEO), Kollam
The Organization is constituted by a group of selected farmers from seven
Panchayaths of Oachira block. It started functioning from 2/4/2014.The main objectives
of OFEO include popularization of modern agricultural practices and technologies to
the farmers, providing easy availability of agricultural inputs to group members,
mechanization and other services within the block etc. The United Nations declared
2014 as International year of family farming raising this slogan of self sustainability in
food production. Kulashekharapuram Panchayat took up the challenge of Family
Farming and implemented Vegetable cultivation in 12230 families in 23 wards. The
project aimed to produce toxic free vegetables in each household. Oachira Farmers
Extension Organization (OFEO) entrusted for this mission and eight varieties of
vegetable seeds were purchased from KAU and packed and supplied to the families.
For the successful implementation, house to house campaign, pamphlets distribution,
corner meetings, trainings, street plays, establishment of posters, etc were done by
OFEO. The programme was a great success and about 74 tonnes of vegetables were
produced and the venture still ongoing. Two members of the Training Input Extension
Service (TIES) were sent to IIHR Bangalore and were given training on Scientific
Organic Vegetable Cultivation. Under The LSGD Programme of Oachira Block
Panchayt and Kulasekharapuram Grama Panchayt 16675 Grow bags were prepared by
OFEO and supplied to the beneficiaries. One lakh vegetable seedlings were prepared
by the OFEO members for this purpose. Two outlets were established by OFEO one at
Oachira Block Panchayt premises on the side of NH-47 and one at Kulasekharapuram
Panchayath where farmers were made available with inputs planting materials and
other need based services. Principal Agricultural Office Kollam has accorded license

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 for fertilizer & pesticide sales. Two organic manure units have been set up by farmers
and 25 tones of organic manure were prepared and supplied to farmers at a reasonable
rate. The prestigious KERAGRAMAM project implemented in Kulasekharapuram
Gramapanchayth were successfully implemented with the help of OFEO. Under this
project a coconut seedlings nursery was established by OFEO and 6000 nuts were
collected from mother palms of farmers from this district as well as from other places
and 6000 DXT,&TXD good quality seedlings were raised and sold to the farmers at
reasonable rates. The second phase preparation is ongoing. Monthly pre MTA meetings
of the Block, the ‗TIES‘ participates and delivers their monthly roles in imparting
extension services.

3.1.4.2: Expand Agro Service Centers

Extension messages are often not accompanied by the availability of physical

inputs. Government extension system has been criticized since long for not delivering the
production inputs in time to the places where they are needed and in the right quantities
and qualities. There is inherent inefficiency in the performance of the agricultural produce
marketing. The most important but limiting factors for the development of agriculture of
the State comprises of inadequate services of production units, marketing of inputs and
outputs, mechanization and labour support groups. The relevance, efficiency and
effectiveness of the agricultural extension system are also contingent upon these factors.

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Agricultural service primarily addresses the farmers and activities of crop production both
annual and perennial crops, animal production and their natural resource base. These
activities also include backward and forward linkages. Agricultural services facilitate
access to and use of factors of production. With these objective agro-service centres have
been established at block level in 2012-13 in the State. Delivery of services covering
mechanization, labour support, input and marketing support are expected to be addressed
through the agro-service centres in association with extension delivery through ATMA and
ATMA plus. It is also envisaged to set up laboratories for soil testing as well as production
units for bio-control agents through the agro-service centres.

Extension has addressed only the delivery of quality agricultural extension services
which is the centre of attraction and all the approaches were built around this aspect. Over
a period the constraints in services acted as a stumbling block in technology adoption and
faster development of agriculture.

Small scale farmers have inadequate access to basic inputs and services such as
seeds and planting materials, bio inputs, machinery services etc. Lack of skilled and
unskilled labourers, non-availability of labourers at the peak periods of cultivation are
further compounding the crisis in agriculture.

Agroservice centres are an innovative experiment to expand service support to

farmers on labour, mechanization, planting materials, bio inputs, machinery repairs and
other services, excluding marketing, initiated in 2012-13 and proposed to generate income
for meeting operational cost and wages. Block panchayats are also mainstreamed to
support the centres additionally.

The department of Agriculture has established 49 agro service centres and the
department of co-operation another 60 Farmer Service centres in identified blocks for the
last three years. The development of agroservice centres can go a long way in facilitating
development of agriculture along with extension support.

It is envisaged to develop agroservice centres in all blocks over the Twelfth Five
Year plan and at panchayat level Karshika Karma Sena are also proposed in about 200
potential panchayats for addressing labour shortage in agriculture. The agroservice centres

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are planned to develop as apex coordinating centres of Karshika Karma Sena on value
added services.

3.1.4.3: Promote Social capital development

Farmers have been working in groups ever since farming started. In order to
leverage how farmer organization/groups can better use the existing social capital, it is
important to foster different types of farmer groups in innovation development, as well as
for different services. Social capital refers to the value of connectedness and trust between
people and is a multidimensional concept. ATMA Groups, padasekhara samithies for
paddy cultivation, A grade and potential clusters for vegetable development, Kera
samithies for coconut and pepper samithies for pepper development were established in the
state for the development of these commodities focusing mainly on service delivery.
Farmer Extension Organisation (FEO) is a new addition on extension oriented service
delivery. Farm Schools and Farmer Field Schools are promoted for technology oriented
services. The emphasis on social capital underlines how such non-monetary forms of
capital can be important sources of influence. Social capital can improve productivity
through different channels, improve marketing, input support as well as facilitate extension
and service support. New empirical research has shown that rural communities endowed
with a rich stock of social capital are in a stronger position to resolve disputes, share useful
information and implement successful development projects. Capacity building,
development of leadership qualities, entrepreneurship development initiatives, ICT support,
financial support for critical gaps, handholding and monitoring are the essential
prerequisites for expansion of social capital in service delivery for agriculture.

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3.1.4.4: HRD and Continuing Agricultural Education (CAE)
There is increasing evidence and recognition that what matters for development,
more than natural resources and manmade physical capital is the capability of people to be
effective and productive economic agents (Human capital). The low level of training of a
large proportion of extension workers must be addressed in future. The quantity and
quality of trained technical and professional man power in agriculture are critical factors
investing in technical and professional education has a high multiplier effect. In recent
years initiatives have been made under the leadership of SAMETI to improve quality of
training like preparation of course materials, identification of good resource persons,
updation of contents, training follow up action, monitoring and introduction of practical
field training. Continuing Agricultural Education (CAE) needs top most priority for
equipping the extension workers, for service delivery. The recently introduced PG
diploma in plant health management through NIPHM for the technical officers is another
initiative to be scaled up for improving technical orientation. Capacity of extension staff
for adaptive research is another area to be strengthened in future to address location
specific technology refinements.

3.1.4.5: Leveraging ICT application

With the booming mobile, wireless, and Internet industries, ICT has found a space
even in poor smallholder farms and in their activities. The ability of ICTs to bring
momentum to agriculture appears even more compelling in light of rising investments in
agricultural research, the private sector‘s strong interest in the development and spread of
ICTs, and the upsurge of organizations committed to the agricultural development agenda.

The main phases of the agriculture industry include crop cultivation, water
management, fertilizer application, fertigation, pest management, harvesting, post-harvest
handling, transport of food products, packaging, food preservation, food processing/value
addition, quality management, food safety, food storage, and food marketing. All
stakeholders of agriculture industry need information and knowledge about these phases to
manage them efficiently. The strategies for use of ICT-enabled services that function
towards these goals are discussed below:

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 Broadcast
media

Farm
automation Social media
devices

Strategy
for ICT in
Agriculture
Mobile phone Office
technology automation

Computer
E-learning
network
programmes
services

The agricultural websites and computer programmes form examples under this
category. These systems based on their level of interactivity, moves from simple
information system to complex expert systems. Information support systems provide
contents mostly similar to reading a book. The decision support system takes inputs and
guides to reach the right decision. The diagnosis of a pest attack on the basis of structured
questions and photos forms an example. On the other side, expert system calculates the
amount of fertilizer needed to apply in the field based on fertility status and other
considerations.

The basic design of the knowledge management systems shows wide variation.
There are e-learning platforms where in users can register and get access to online courses.
There are also systems where the user can contact the expert and get direct feedback. The
answered questions are mostly kept under FAQ (Frequently asked questions) section.
While some systems have built in calculators and decision pathways where by the users are
guided to find an answer to their problem. There are also systems which advice what crop
to be planned on the basis of soil, climatic and field variations.

There are systems which connect to market websites and give online price
information. A modified version of the same does complex calculation based on historic
data and give prediction and other strategic advices. E-commerce and future market trading

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are newer innovation in this direction. Web-based trading platforms offering one-stop shop
facilities are emerging, especially for main commodities.

Knowledge management systems work through various personal computers,

laptops, notepads, mobile phones, touch screen kiosks etc. Based on the programming
language used in development, the system will work in online and offline mode. The
required browser specifications and operating system needs also show wide variations. The
online modules can have many advance features, while the touch screen kiosk version
needs the simplest design.

Mobile phone technology

Mobile phones have now become a platform for exchanging information on

agricultural and rural development. Through Short Messaging Services (SMS) and Voice
Short Messaging Services (V-SMS) the agricultural department of Kerala is now connected
to over one lakh farmers. These facilities help to provide advices on cultivation and plant
protection aspects of various crops and enterprises on a regular basis. Besides, the schemes
and programmes of the department can be popularized. There are also efforts to
disseminate the weather and market related information through the channel. There are
also programmes where a farmer can also register his crops and planting details to get
customized information on a regular basis.

The development of mobile applications that can be easily downloaded for ready to
use is a new promising area. The FEM@Mobile is a promising one in this direction which
covers 100 crops. The application serves as a ready to use pocket dictionary on crop
production and protection aspects. With whatsapp facility in mobile, farmers can send field
photos and get online consultation with research scientist. Besides, most of the mobile have
internet connection. Various online resources can be easily reached through mobile.

Social media

Social media is now a mainstream form of communication around the world. It

continues to grow in popularity with the increase in the number of smart phones. There are
now 1.5 billion users of social networking platforms in the world.

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 Traditionally, agricultural information exchange has been dominated by industrial
media such as newspapers, television, and magazines. In recent years, however, technology
awareness and computer literacy are increasing across all demographics and various forms
of social media are being used more and more by people looking for news, education, and
other information related to agriculture.

Social networking websites like Face book allow users from all over the world to
remain in contact and communicate on a regular basis. In Kerala, the ‗Adukkala Thottam’
group have over one lakh members where people share latest agricultural technologies for
the use of others.

Broadcast media
Wireless technologies have numerous applications in agriculture. A number of AM
and FM stations are functioning in Kerala. These stations are working under private and
public sector. These stations telecast a number of farm programmes at regular intervals.

Community radio is another innovation in this direction. Community radio provides

a mechanism for facilitating individuals, groups, and communities to tell their own diverse
stories and to share experiences. It provides farmers, tribes, dalits, women and children an
opportunity to speak out, and be heard. As of now, nine community radio stations got
registration from ministry of broadcasting to run in Kerala.

Television forms another major area of ICT application in agriculture. With the
availability of camcorder and other video production equipments at reduced cost, there is
tremendous growth in number of farm videos produced and broadcasted. The increase in
number of competing media channels and you tube facility enhanced the media reach to
public. The Kissan Kerala project has made available over 450 agricultural videos in
internet. And people have started viewing these movies through their mobile on travel.

E-learning programmes

The development in e-learning platform helps to redefine the distance education

programmes. The opening of community learning centers and running various educative
programmes is yet another move with the progress in ICT.

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Farm automation devices

Farming is now moving from subsistence to precision. And in precision farming a

number of automated systems and application find a place. Just like a Sphygmomanometer
measuring the blood pressure, automatic NPK sensors are the need of the hour. Similarly,
development of a number of sensors to automate the irrigation and other farm process has
to be attempted. The milking of dairy farms can be fully automated in the same way as
automatic drinkers can be used to supply water.

Geographic information systems (GIS) devices can be extensively used in

agriculture, especially in precision farming. Land can be mapped digitally. Similarly, the
use of the Global Positioning System provides benefits in geo-fencing, map-making and
surveying. With the use of GPS, extension personal can produce simple yet highly accurate
digitized map without the help of a professional cartographer. In Kenya, for example, the
solution to prevent an elephant from wandering into farms and destroying precious crops
was to tag the elephant with a device that sends a text message when it crosses a geo-fence.
Using the technology of SMS and GPS, the elephant can roam freely and the authorities are
alerted whenever it is near the farm.

Office automation has to happen along with progress in ICT. The departments can
develop computer networks and online bill payment facilities that can result better resource
utilization. Other, more-specialized applications, such as software used for supply chain or
financial management are also becoming more relevant in today‘s farming.

These examples represent only a minute subset of the information and communication
services that can be provided to the agricultural sector through increasingly affordable and
accessible ICTs. Hundreds of agriculture-specific applications are now emerging and are
showing great promise for smallholders. Further technical support is required to
mainstream the application of ICT in agriculture development of the State.

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3.2: Strategic framework for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development

The need for increased livestock production is pressing, given the rapidly growing
demand for animal products and important contribution to the income of the small and
marginal farmers.

The strategic frame work for the development of the sector in Kerala is shown
below.

The strategic frame work is suggested under four pillars with identified focus areas

Four pillars suggested are:

1. Pillar I : Raise productivity

2. Pillar II : Raise investment in Basic Infrastructure
3. Pillar III : Strengthening Livelihood security and assured Income
4. Pillar IV : Service delivery

3.2.1: Pillar 1 - Raise Productivity

The focus areas for increasing productivity are shown below:

 New technology
 Artificial insemination
 Commercial diary
 Innovations
 Ration Balancing – Mineral mixture

3.2.2: Pillar 2 - Raise Investment in Basic Infrastructure

The focus areas are

 Young one production

 Strengthening co-operatives
 Strengthening laboratory networks
 Strengthening Hospitals
 Feed Production Units/factories
 Marketing
 Modernisation of slaughter houses

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3.2.3: Pillar 3 - Strengthening Livelihood security and assured Income

The focus areas are

 Low cost credit

 Milk shed development programme
 Mixed livestock production systems and
integrated farming system
 Fodder and feed sufficiency
 Goat and backyard poultry
 Mechanization animal housing and milking
 Quality control
 Value addition
 Risk management
 Meat promotion
 Safety nets

3.2.4: Pillar 4 - Service delivery

The focus areas are

 Mainstreaming Veterinary Extension

 Veterinary Services - door step, night
 Social capital for service delivery
 HRD and CVE
 ICT

3.2.1: Pillar I : Raise productivity

The animal per day average production has reached 9.11 litres. Even after 40 years of
operation of cross breeding, the outcome needs to be improved. It is high time to achieve
an average production of 15 litres of milk per day for which focus areas are shown below:

3.2.1.1: New technology

The role of technology is crucial for improving productivity and efficiency.

Funding for research must the improved. More research is needed on animal health,
improved husbandry and production systems and possibly on breeding, forage crops and

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utilization of crop by products. In addition socio-economic research is needed on various
dimension of existing system, input delivery etc. Alternate system of veterinary care also to
be examined especially on Ayurveda, homeo etc. Agro ecology based research for closing
the yield gap also to be examined. The RFID based data identification and retrieval
mechanism would be an effective tool to monitor, evaluation and upgrade the livestock
population of the State as approved in the State Agriculture Policy. The low yielding
animals must be used as foster mothers for the production of improved breed by the
embryo transfer technology.

3.2.1.2: Artificial insemination

Assuring a female calf by the cross breeding is a consistent demand of farmers over
the years. It is desirable to introduce yield guaranteed sexed semen to achieve a state
average production of 15 litres of milk per day.

3.2.1.3: Commercial dairy

The entrepreneurial and adaptive management capacity of farmers and versatility for
changing markets, technologies including opportunities to use agricultural machineries
should be supported.

Cow unit of Smt. Beena Thomas of Kattappana Block (10 units)

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3.2.1.4: Innovation

A number of innovations are reported in the sector. Innovations like bucket type
milking machine, and other machines, housing as well as management innovation.
Appropriate incentivisation is required to promote innovation in livestock sector.

3.2.1.5: Ration Balancing

The concept of Ration balancing is already in place in most of the advanced countries,
where the feed resources are available in abundance. NDDB has developed user friendly
software for advisory milk producers on their door step to balance the ration of their
lactating animals with available feed resources and area specific mineral mixtures. Feeding
balanced ration to dairy animals plays a pivotal role in improving productivity and
reproduction efficiency. Dairy animals are fed mainly with straw based diet supplemented
with locally available one or two feed ingredients. This often causes an imbalance of
protein, energy and minerals in the ratio of animals. Ration Balancing programme (RBD)
can be implemented with the help of dairy co-operatives. Similarly, even calf born in the
State out of cross breeding programe should be guaranteed a well-balanced feed to utilize
the potential of the calf. The expansion of Special Livestock Breeding Programme should
also be ensured for this.

3.2.2: Pillar II : Raise Investment in Basic Infrastructure

3.2.2.1: Young one Production

There is a widening gap between demand and supply of young ones for cattle, goat,
piggling, chicks etc. Sufficient infrastructure support is required for strengthening farms,
setting up of satellite units for production of young ones around farm, strengthening
hatcheries and private investment are required to meet the gaps.

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3.2.2.2: Strengthening of co-operatives

Co-operatives play a significant

role in the dairy sector of the state.
Improvement in infrastructure of dairy
co-operates focusing on storage of
milk, cooling, automation etc can go a
long way in improving the profitability
dairy farming in the state.

3.2.2.3: Strengthening laboratory networks

An integrated laboratory diagnostic network with defined capabilities can go a long

way in supporting the veterinary services. A project has been initated in 2014-15 for the
upgradation of the laboratories. Further support is required to modernize the labs with the
state of the art facilities.

The Institute of Animal health and Veterinary Biologicals, was set up in 1979 at
Palode Thiruvananthapuram with the view to cater to the need for Veterinary Biologicals in
the state for protecting domestic animals and birds against major infectious and contagious
diseases that could be controlled by vaccination.

The various sections are

located in a campus that
extends over 46.526 acres.
The Institute has 14,000
square feet of clean area
designated for the production
of biologicals with facilities

like walk in Incubators, Walk in freezers, GMP Compliant Sterilization equipments and
lyophilization facility. The Institute has 2 imported freeze driers with a total capacity to
lyophilize 13,500 vials of 2ml capacity in a cycle, dedicated for production of freeze dried

106
vaccines. The Institute also has 2 pilot scale freeze driers for optimization of lyophilization
cycle and undertaking seed work.

The separately located Standardization Section along with the Lab Animal Section
is capable of testing and assuring the quality of all the vaccines and biologicals produced.
The Tissue Culture RP Section provides back support for introducing new biologicals and
technology up gradation.

The Institute offers training and project work in subjects relating to biological
production to graduate and post graduate students of Microbiology & Biotechnology. The
final year students of the Veterinary Colleges in Kerala undergo regular training in this
institute as part of their course curriculum.

Various vaccines produced at IAH&VB, Palode include Viral Vaccines, Bacterial

Vaccines and Antigens & Diagnostics. Further support is required to augment capacity of
the institute and other laboratories to augment production of vaccines.

3.2.2.4: Strengthening Hospitals

State Government has initiated modernization programme of veterinary hospitals with

the support of GoI. A comprehensive project mode initiation is required to augment infra-
structure base of veterinary dispensaries, polyclinics and hospitals to support the
requirement of farmers. A block level speciality support also a required to develop the ever
growing demand to veterinary services.

3.2.2.5: Feed Production units/factories

The cattle feed production capacity is inadequate in the state. Additional investment is
required for setting up of cattle feed products units, goat feed, etc. The co-operative sector
also to be supported to establish feed production units. However the quality standards as
well as cost effectiveness to be given prime importance in committing investment in feed
production.

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3.2.2.6: Marketing

Markets for live animals are not well developed. Bulk of the trade in small ruminants
taken place between producers and intermediary traders. Additional infra-structure
investment is required for the modernization of cattle and small ruminants market in the
state.

3.2.2.7: Modernization of slaughter houses

Modernisation of slaughter houses to produce quality and safe meat is a priority. The
existing slaughter houses to be upgraded and modernized to ensure quality meat
production.

3.2.3: Pillar III : Livelihood security and assured income

3.2.3.1: Low cost credit

Credit for animal husbandry and dairy developments is treated as investment credit
and the interest rate is above 12 percentage. Credit for AH should be treated at par with
crop loan. The facility of the KCC should be extended to livestock farmers, also.

3.2.3.2: Milk Shed Development Programme

In order to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production as well as to support livelihood

of farmers, a comprehensive project mode support on identified milk sheds need to be
supported. Support for conservation of indigenous and accepted breeds of cattle also to be
ensured to promote the development of the sector.

3.2.3.3: Mixed Crop livestock production systems and integrated farming system
(IFS)

Mixed crop-livestock production systems are important as the source of the bulk of
the ruminant livestock production is concentrated in small and marginal farmers.
Complementary relationship exist with livestock fed on crop by-products and other plant
materials, contributing manure, additional source of food and income, savings and buffer
against risk. In mixed and integrated farming systems livestock contribute to both

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intensification and diversification of income streams. Complementary relationships
between crops and livestock may be exploited and system needs to be supported financially
and technically in the state.

3.2.3.4: Fodder and Feed Sufficiency

Though feed and fodder is one of the most important contributing factors for the
growth of livestock sector, development of this has not received the required level of focus
in the past. Fodder banks have to be created in potential panchayats along with storing
them as silage or fodder blocks to meet the requirement in lean season. The high-tech
fodder production initiatives also to be scaled up. Fodder enrichment and diversification
could be some of the focused areas for enhancing the productivity. It is estimated that 60-
70% of total cost in livestock production is due to feed and fodder. Any attempt towards
enhancing feed availability and economizing the feed cost would result in increased margin
of profits of livestock farmers.

Over the years

considerable technological
advancement has taken
place in to feed and fodders
focusing on enhancement of
nutritional quality and
Productivity enhancement.
The by – pass nutrient
technology has been taken
up by private feed
manufactures as well as
NDDB and dairy federation.
The area specific mineral mixture technology has helped to a considerable extent in
overcoming the problem of infertility. Benefits of these technologies need to be fully
exploited. Efforts need to be focused on augmenting feed resources by tapping non –
conventional feed resources.

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3.2.3.5: Goat and Backyard Poultry

Small ruminants and backyard poultry provides direct livelihood and income
generating opportunities to landless and marginal farmers and other vulnerable section of
the society. Promotion of malabari breed and backyard poultry with institutional support
can go a long way in improving livelihood security of marginal farmers and landless
labourers of farmers groups and intervention in innovative marketing supports further
development of the vulnerable groups. Need based micro cage layer system also to be
popularised to augment egg production.

3.2.3.6: Mechanization animal housing and milking

The automated system most commonly used by selected farmers are in animal
production are for modernization of animal housing, milking, control of feeding, water
supply, monitoring of the animal‘s physiological and lactation practices, temperature
control, fodder production etc.. More proactive steps are required for supporting
mechanization in animal husbandry to improve viability of farming.

3.2.3.7: Quality control

Food safety and standards regulation mandates that milk should the handled
hygienically and kept cold along the value chain. Further investment in this area is required
to improve the competitiveness of the small holder livestock producers.

3.2.3.8: Value Addition

Entrepreneurship development of small growers/ groups could be initiated to produce

value added products. The isolated attempts imitated in the state needs to be scaled up with
appropriate hand holding, capacity building and financial support.

3.2.3.9: Risk management

The incidents of risk in livestock sector is reported to be increasing with the

introduction of exotic animals. Various insurance schemes are in operation over the years
in addressing the risk. However the progress of livestock insurance has not been
encouraging, due to design of insurance products and the procedures involved in

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settlement. A pro poor farmer friendly insurance product is highly essential for addressing
the risk incidence.

3.2.3.10: Meat promotion

As one of the major meat consuming States in the country, demand for meat in Kerala
is burgeoning. Purposive meat production programmes to augment meat supply to be
promoted. Along with milk production purposive meat production programmes to augment
meat supply also to be supported. As Kerala is one of the meat consuming states in the
country, demand for meat is burgeoning. Male calf fattening has already been initiated
which also need to be supported in the identified milk sheds to utilize the backward
linkage.

3.2.3.11: Safety nets

Adequate provision for safety nets is required for supporting the farmers focusing
mainly on marginal and vulnerable groups.

3.2.4: Pillar IV : Service delivery

3.2.4.1: Mainstreaming Veterinary Extension

Veterinary extension was not given a priority over the plan periods. There is
profound impact on veterinary extension for technology adoption, expansion of good
management practices etc. Additional support for farm schools, and other need based
extension to be given priority in livestock sector.

3.2.4.2: Veterinary Services – door step and night services

Diagnostic facilities at field level in terms of good clinical laboratories, equipment,

quick and quality diagnosis and the human resource play a pivotal role in the development
of livestock sector in the state. Animal health services are important in reducing losses due
to diseases. Technologies for disease control and care are known, but delivery system to be
strengthened. A comprehensive fertility management programme for bovines to be
integrated in veterinary services to address the serious issues of infertility reported in cross

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breeds. The farmers of the State have to be assured with a livestock population free of all
contagious diseases by universal vaccination and necessary steps to be taken to declare as
animal disease free zone. The door step and night services introduced in 12th Five Year
Plan need to be expanded.

3.2.4.3: Social capital for service delivery

The social capital in service delivery, improvement of income, livelihood security,

and innovative ways of marketing plays a key element in fostering the sector. The group
based intervention in livestock production, marketing of farm fresh milk and egg,
integrated service delivery are some of the success stories in the state. Capacity building,
hand holding support, entrepreneurship development, support for investment and
technology are crucial to nurture the social capital development.

3.2.4.4: Human Resource Development and Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE)

State Government has set up a network of Livestock Management and Training

Centres, Dairy Training Centres and Training centres in potential blocks. At State level
SAMETI and Veterinary Council are providing continuing veterinary education. Capacity
building in leading National institutes has also been initiated. A focused quality HRD and
CVE needs to be further developed to augment the human resources for the development of
the sector.

3.2.4.5: Information Communication Technology

The Information Communication Technology plays a key role in livestock sector in

the state. The technology dissemination, disease mapping initiative, the expansion of
Kiosks, software based support for diagnostic and clinical area are to be further expanded
with appropriate institutional tie up. The innovative application of Geographic Information
System initiated in the department needs to be supported and expanded.

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Box 3.5

GIS Based Disease Mapping - Web GIS application design and development

The main objective of the project is to design, develop and establish advanced Web based
Spatial Decision Support System for Disease Mapping, Monitoring and Disease Spread
Modeling.

A highly interactive, open source technology based Web GIS application has been
developed. Hospital location database was integrated into the application with proper IDs.

Pic 1: Location of all departmental institutions on a google map

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Pic 2: Location of Farmers captured as part of the project on google map

Pic 3: Selected a buffer zone of 3 KMs from the disease location - identified for ring

vaccination to prevent spread of the disease

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Android application development and testing
Android application was developed to collect location tagged farmer information
from the field. Future Plans proposed are building a real time Out Patient management
System and integrate with the proposed GIS Decision Support System ,Collection of the
geographic location of all the farmers across Kerala and to Provide a 7 inch tablet computer
to all the livestock inspectors, who actually visit the farmers‘ houses regularly for
delivering routine functions, so as to collect the geographic details (latitude and longitude)
of the farmer for further application development.

3.3: Fisheries Development

The strategic frame work under four pillars of fisheries development are shown below

3.3.1: Aquaculture Productivity

The focus areas under aqua culture productivity are shown below:

- Technology
- Stock enhancement in Reservoirs through culture based Fisheries
- Mariculture
- Re-circulatory Aquaculture System

3.3.2: Basic Infrastructure

The focus areas under basic infrastructure are shown below

- Fish seed farms & hatcheries

- Species specific feed
- Support for infrastructure development
- Proper storage, transportation and distribution
- Housing to fisherman

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 - Sanitation & Hygiene
- Drinking water facilities
- Electrification
- Roads & Culverts
- Investment on fishing implements
- Anganvadi

3.3.3: Livelihood Security and income

The focus areas are shown below

- Marine capture fisheries

- Conservation and Management measures
- Exploitation of oceanic fish resources
- Stock enhancement programme
- Climate change and fish behaviour
- Diversification of aquaculture species
- Development of ornamental fisheries
- Exploitation by the middle man
- Credit
- Saving habits
- Risk Management
- Value addition
- Social capital for livelihood
- HDI- education, health Education & Literacy
- Social security
- Risk & Vulnerability

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3.3.4: Service delivery

The focus areas under service delivery are shown below

- Extension Support
- Capacity building & HRD
- Good Management for Disease control

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3.3.1: Pillar 1: Aquaculture Productivity:

Presently, aquaculture is practised in 10,000 ha. of water bodies, but the average
aquaculture productivity is only 2.8 ton/ha, but that of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is
4.4 ton/ha. Productivity enhancement shall be the thrust activity for the enhancement of
fish production. The present productivity shall be enhanced to 4.4 ton/ha.

Focus areas

3.3.1.1: Technology

Fisheries sector needs technology upgradation for innovative practices to increase

fish production. Technologies available with countries like Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam,
Philippines, and Australia etc in the field of selective breeding, seed production and feed
manufacturing can be effectively made use for the development of Aquaculture sector of
the State.

3.3.1.2: Stock enhancement in Reservoirs through culture based Fisheries

Kerala State has 53 reservoirs with a water spread area of more than 44,000 Ha.
Based on the water spread area they are classified into small reservoirs <1000Ha) medium
reservoirs (1000Ha to 5000Ha) and large reservoirs (>5000Ha). Even though certain efforts
were made during late 90s for the enhancement of fish production in reservoir through
Indo-German project, it still remains as underutilized for fishery purposes. Reservoirs have
been recognized as an important resource for fresh water fish production. With a view to
enhance fish production, scientific fish culture practices are being adopted in the reservoirs.
Reservoir productivity can be enhanced by supplementary stocking with the advanced
fingerlings of indigenous fish varieties and farming of fish in floating cages. Fishing rights
of reservoirs for conducting fish culture is a major hurdle for development. Reservoirs can
be developed more effectively and productivity of reservoir can be increased from the
present level of 53.5 kg/ha/year to 150kg/ha/year.

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3.3.1.3: Mariculture

Considering the huge coastline of the State, there is great scope for Mariculture
activities. Cage farming in open sea in participation with youth groups of fishermen can
offer immense production.

3.3.1.4: Re-circulatory Aquaculture System

Culture of GIFT fish in re-circulatory aquaculture system integrated with the

cultivation of leafy vegetables can be one of the pillar in blue revolution. It can be practised
even in urban areas where the availability of the land is limited.

3.3.2: Pillar 2: Investment in basic infrastructure

Focus areas

3.3.2.1: Fish seed farms & hatcheries

The State has 12 Nos of hatcheries in Government/Public sector and 31 Nos in

private sector. Annual requirement of fish seed of the State is 9 crore while the present
level of production is only 1.55 crore. Presently the State procures fish seeds from
Tamilnadu and Andhrapradesh. Fresh seed brought from distant places are often weak due
to stress caused by long duration of transportation which drastically reduces the survival
and adversely affects aquaculture productivity. It can be addressed by enhancing the
production capacity of the existing hatcheries and also by establishing new hatcheries and
seed farms for the seed production of indigenous fish varieties.

3.3.2.2: Species specific feed

Protein requirement of fish varies from species to species. Carnivores require feed
with 45% protein while planktovorous & herbivorous require only 30% protein in their
diet. Some fishes requires floating feed while some others requires sinking feed or slow
sinking feed. Hence, there should be species specific feed to suit the nutritional
requirement of each varieties. Presently the farmers are giving only a common feed
without considering its requirement. Some farmers are not even giving supplementary feed.
Hence, there should be provision for providing species specific feeds. A fish nutritional

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support programme may be launched by establishing feed mills under Quasi Government
sector and by providing subsidy to the farmers for procuring such type of feeds.

3.3.2.3: Support for infrastructure development

Aquaculture production of the existing farms can be enhanced by the development

of infrastructure facilities. The additional facility includes Paddle wheel aerators, Pumps,
etc. A provision may be given for providing interest free capital support from the financial
institutions to the marginal farmers. All kind of financial support to the farmers can be
made available through DBT.

3.3.2.4: Proper storage, transportation and distribution

It is estimated that 15-25% of fish catch is wasted as trash fish or spoilt fish.
Prevention of fish spoilage and maximum utilization of harvested fish resources can be
ensured by its proper storage, transportation and distribution. Steps for preserving the fish
quality shall start from on-board and continue until it reaches in the hands of the final
consumers. For that a ―quality chain‖ has to be developed with on-board keeping of fish in
insulated box/chambers in the fishing craft, on-shore storage of fish in the insulated rooms,
distribution of fish through the vehicles with insulation facility and by adopting hygienic
fish handling practices. At the landing centres supply of safe ice, chilling facilities, potable
water availability and other sanitary requirements is to be ensured. Insulated truck and
vehicles with insulated boxes can be given for fish transportation.

3.3.2.5: Housing to fisherman

Issues on housing in the coastal belt has certain specific features. Poverty is the
critical reason for poor housing conditions prevalent in fishing villages. The survey
conducted on 2010 reveals that 16,359 fishermen are dwelling in thatched hut/shed and
12,850 are both land less as well as homeless. The number of thatched huts has reduced
from 48% (1981) to 18% (2009). Possession of land among the fisher folk is a critical
problem. When new housing schemes are announced by the Government, the landless
fisherman becomes unable to get the assistance. Regarding land holding, only 35% have
more than 5 cents of land. In the coastal parts of the State, the density of population is
around 2168 persons per square kilometre which resembles to the slum of urban area. The

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attitudes of fishermen against migration to other areas due to occupational, religious and
communal reasons have changed after Tsunami disaster. Considering the scarcity of land
along the coastal area, multi storeyed residential complexes are suggested for 12,850 land
less people.

The CRZ notification also adversely affects housing of fisherfolk. Fishermen

household of 58.4% are residing within the area of 100 meters from sea coast where new
construction or replacement of existing houses are restricted. It is more pronounced in
Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram districts where it is 84.6% and 79.8% respectively.
In the area between 100M and 200M from shore where re-construction is only permitted,
where 24.7% of total fishermen households are residing.

3.3.2.6: Sanitation & Hygiene

Occurrence of food poisoning and other contagious diseases are more outstanding in
coastal areas. It is due to disposal of human excreta as carelessly as possible; defecation
takes place in the open fields or surface waters including sea. In some areas, fishermen lack
not only the means to provide such facilities, but also the very information on hygienic
aspects. Around 31% of fishermen house hold has latrines with septic tank while 29% have
pit latrines and the remaining 40% depends on public comfort station or perform open
defecation. As per 2010 survey, there are 23,335 households without any type of toilet
facilities. Financial assistance and awareness is required to alter this pathetic situation. In a
few cases where the fishermen habitats are congested, community latrines can be
considered.

The coastal environment gets polluted with the waste carried away from the
upstream as well as that thrown into the sea shore. Nowadays, it is quite common to see
that most of the beaches and coastal waters are heavily polluted with solid waste including
plastic materials. In the coastal area, there is no effective functioning mechanism for
management of the solid waste. Eco-friendly solid waste disposal system by biological
means for degradable materials and disseminator for non-biodegradable materials can be
opted.

Drainages play a multi-dimensional role in maintaining the hygiene and sanitary

conditions in the fishing villages. They also prevent water logging during monsoons.
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Absence of proper drainage system can result in aggravating the ill-effects of water
logging, which will make the life of the fisher folk quite miserable. There are about 90
fishing villages which lack proper drainage facilities. Total sanitation program is essential
for the entire fishing villages of the State to keep the fishing villages under good sanitary
and hygienic conditions.

3.3.2.7: Drinking water facilities

Scarcity of safe drinking water is a critical natural problem in fishing villages as the
proximity to saline water makes the ground water unsuitable for human consumption. In
many fishing villages higher content of ferrous and higher count of coliforms makes the
ground water unsuitable for human consumption. Water from open wells suitable for
drinking purposes is available only in 38 fishing villages. Other fishing villages depend on
public water distribution system which is available at a few corners but with erratic water
supply. The survey report, 2009 revealed that there are 31,523 houses with no access to
potable drinking water. There are about 117 fishing villages which are in urgent need of
drinking water supply which have already been taken-up by the Government through
Kerala Water Authority.

Most of the drinking water projects commissioned for coastal area is not functioning
well. In some places, capacity of pumping station and overhead tank is seen as not
compatible with respect to quantity of water demanded by the project area. In some cases,
old pipe lines aren‘t in a position to withstand higher water pressure. Lack of servicing the
motor pumps is also a major reason for the failure of the project. Jalanidhi project failed in
the coastal area, since the operation and maintenance has to be met by the user community.
In a few fishing village, rain water harvesting project has been introduced, but due to
mismanagement and people‘s sceptic perception on its quality, it is not in working
condition. These issues can be addressed by implementing a Comprehensive Drinking
Water Supply Project including the establishment of de-salination plants under the
ownership of KWA.

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3.3.2.8: Electrification

There are remarkable changes in the proportion of electrified houses from a mere of
10% in 1981 to 93% in 2009. It is reported that there are about 12,562 houses still non-
electrified in the fishing villages of the State. Low voltage and voltage fluctuations are the
common problems faced by the inhabitants of the coastal area. Establishment of
transformers along with line extension/ conversion is required. Government has taken-up
65 projects to address the issues through KSEB.

3.3.2.9: Roads & Culverts

The primary survey 2009 indicated the need for construction of all weather roads to
an extent of 583.48 kilo metres across nine coastal districts. Even though an amount of Rs.
50 Crore is being spent annually by the Government, the reflection in the coastal village is
not promising. Formation of coastal roads shall be restricted within the boundaries of
fishing villages with the nearby service road.

3.3.2.10 Investment on fishing implements

The unhealthy competition among the fishing units for the limited fish resources has
resulted in over capitalization of the sector and made fishing a non-economic activity.
Introduction of larger fishing vessels with high powered engines and larger fishing gears
have enhanced the venture cost considerably. The per capita investment on fishing
implements per active fisher folk in motorised sector escalated from Rs.26,000 in 2005 to
Rs.98,000 in 2011. But, net annual labour earnings per active fisher man for the same
sector came down from Rs.50,491 in 2005 to Rs.16,520 in 2013 (Source-CMFRI study
report). Hence, over investment has to be controlled.

3.3.2.11: Anganvadi

Cases with birth weight less than 2.5 Kg is 26.7% among fisher folk against the state
average of 16.1%. It indicates abysmally lower level of nutrition of pregnant mother. In the
absence of proper functioning of anganvadi in the coastal areas, the elder child is forced to
remain at home as baby sitters when their mothers go out for work. The anganvadi mainly
aims at the comprehensive development of the child, right from parental period through
infancy to childhood, by a series of co-ordinated activities of Nutrition, Health and

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Education services. In order to effectively achieve the goal, the anganvadi should be child
friendly and attractive. Most of them require toilet, drinking water, electricity, toys,
teaching aids, construction of compound wall etc. From the survey reports 2010, it is noted
that 810 anganvadi require new building. During the first phase, 58 anganvadi were
selected by the State Government for providing new building.

3.3.3: Pillar 3: Livelihood security and income

3.3.3.1: Marine capture fisheries

Marine fish production was stagnant over last two decades till 2008 and now shows
a declining trend from 5.86 lakh ton in 2008 to 5.22 lakh ton in 2014 due to increased
fishing effort, overexploiting of selected stocks, and juvenile fishing. In this complex
situation, only limited scope exists for further enhancement in marine fish production.
Marine fish production can be enhanced by sustainable means of conservation and
management measures, exploitation of oceanic fish resources and stock enhancement
through the laying of artificial reef and ranching of fish seeds.

6
5.8
5.6
5.4
Marine fish
5.2 production in
lakh MT
5
4.8

3.3.3.2: Conservation and Management measures

Over exploitation and juvenile fishing are the main threats existing in the marine
fish resources. It can be controlled by regulating number, size and power of fishing units,
notifying minimum legal size for fishing and imposing fishing ban both in certain area or
specific period. Even though there are provisions to regulate marine fishing under Kerala
Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, it is not implemented effectively due to various reasons.
The Conservation and Management measures can be implemented more effectively by

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awareness programmes, effective surveillance practices and ensuring the participation of
local people in the form of Fisheries Management Councils (FMCs). Management of fish
resource by the user community was existed in early days. Awareness programmes to
fishermen may be given on the management of fishery resources, potential, sustainable use,
and growth over fishing, recruitment overfishing and sustainable use of the resources.
Effective surveillance can be ensured by establishing Automatic fishing vessel monitoring
system.

3.3.3.3: Exploitation of oceanic fish resources

It is reported that there is enormous fish resources available in the oceanic waters.
There are appropriate fishing equipments to tap the resources such as oceanic tuna, oceanic
squid, and deep sea prawns etc. Suitable fishing equipments to exploit this resources are
available in foreign countries like Australia and Japan. Instead of giving Letter of Permit
(LOP) to the foreign fishing vessels for deep sea fishing, sophisticated fishing equipments
can be given to the traditional fishermen groups. Mechanized fishing boats solely suitable
for line fishing of oceanic fish resource can be chosen for the promotion of deep sea
fishing.

3.3.3.4: Stock enhancement programme

Establishment of artificial reefs and ranching of fish seeds are widely accepted to be
an effective method for the replenishment of depleting stock of commercially important
fish species. The fish varieties dwelling with natural reef in coastal waters are alarmingly
declined over the years mainly due to the destruction of natural reef. The reefs are highly
productive ecosystem of great significance. This forms the breeding and nursery grounds
of a large number of commercially as well as ecologically important species of fin fishes,
shrimps, lobsters, crabs and molluscs. Reefs are the spawning and main feeding areas of
many fishes. Ranching of quality fish seeds produced in the hatcheries in to the reef area
shall enhance the fish stock.

3.3.3.5: Climate change and fish behaviour

Some fishes like yellow fin tuna are highly stenothermic. Even minute change in
temperature by 0.10C triggered the fish to migrate from its natural habitat.

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3.3.3.6: Diversification of aquaculture species
At present, freshwater aquaculture in Kerala is more or less restricted to Carp
culture. Catla, Rohu, Mrigal and Common carp are the principal fishes farmed. Grass carp
and Silver carp are also farmed, though to a very limited extent. However, in Kerala
people generally prefer sea fishes and demand for carps is limited. Carps generally fetch
low price in the State. The selection of fish species for aquaculture production shall be
driven by market demand. Once, the carp are the only species whose induced breeding
technology was available and now seed production of a lot of varieties were standardised
and commercial production is practicing in neighbouring States. Under these
circumstances, a shift from the carp centric approach is very much required. Indigenous
fresh water fishes like the Catfishes, Murrels, Giant freshwater prawn and the exotic fishes
like GIFT and Pungasius are good alternative candidate species for farming in the
freshwater areas. Regarding brackish water environment farming the present practice in
now restricted to the tiger prawn and to a very limited extent to the Indian white prawn.
Commercial farming of Milk fish, Mullet, Pearl spot, Sea bass, Silver pompano, Cobia,
Groupers, and that of Vannamei Shrimp are not attempted to an appreciable level in the
State.

3.3.3.7: Development of ornamental fisheries

Kerala has conclusive climatic condition for the development of ornamental fishes
having rich and unique biodiversity with a variety of indigenous ornamental fishes and
there exists huge potential in providing employment to the people from rural sector and
foreign exchange earner. The low productivity cost and higher returns within a very short
time causes growing demand for ornamental fishes both from domestic and international
market.

3.3.3.8: Exploitation by the middle man

The exploitation of fisher folk by the middlemen during auctioning is attributed as a

major reason for their meagre income. The fisherman could realize only 60% of the market
value as the beach price. The significant difference in the prices of fish at the beach and
market indicates the involvement of more intermediaries. Better prices can be ensured by
reducing the intermediaries. The fisheries co-operatives can play a major role in this

126
regard. The fisheries co-operatives affiliated with Matsyafed manage only 10-12% of the
fish catch for primary sale with the participation of 44,906 fishermen (2012-13) of 252
fisheries co-operatives. It can be observed that the fishing groups which have not taken
loan from fisheries co-operatives is not participating in the auction conducted by them. It
may be due to the collection of 5% auction commission of which 1% each is contributed to
the auctioneer, fisheries co-operative society and Matsyafed and the remaining 2% as
savings of the fisherman. The 1% contribution to Matsyafed may be discontinued by
compensating it with special grant by the State Government for meeting their
administrative cost. Besides, production bonus can be given to attract more fishermen in
the auction system practiced through the fisheries co-operatives.

3.3.3.9. Credit
Due to uncertainty and seasonal nature of occupation, poor income level and lack of
money saving habits, fishermen are often obliged to borrow money for various purposes.
Loan facilities are not availed to the illiterate fishermen from financial institutions due to
lack of awareness, incapability of providing collateral security and inherent non-repayment
characteristics. Hence, they depend on informal money lenders to meet day-to-day
expenses at exorbitant rate of interest of 5-10% of daily catch. It leads them to lifelong
indebtedness. Still, there is practise of bonded labour system for obtaining debt from the
owner of the fishing vessel by pledging their labour. If the fisherman owns a fishing unit by
taking informal credit and fails to repay the amount, they are forced to mortgage the fishing
implements to the creditor, the middlemen or sell off. Both middle man and educated
fisherman enjoy loan facilities from banks and Cooperatives societies. As per the primary
survey 2008, it was reported that 69% of fishermen was indebted and the per capita debt
was Rs.75,000. The cooperatives have to be strengthened to meet the credit needs of
fisherman taking into account of the incapability of the fisher folk to find out collateral
security because of landlessness. All the active fishermen shall be brought under the
umbrella of fisheries cooperatives. There are 780 fisheries cooperatives functioning in the
State but lion share of the active fishermen are outside the institutional mechanism of
fisheries co-operatives. The remaining active fisherman shall be linked with the present
cooperatives or organized by creating new cooperatives. Erosion of income as exorbitant

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interest can be prevented by providing more credit support to the fisherman through the co-
operative sector.

3.3.3.10: Saving habits

The fisher folk, by nature, don‘t save money and spent it on the same day itself by
mismanagement and over expenditure. In the days of no catch, fisherman demands cash for
alcohol from their wife. This may further lead to miserable situations at home and their
children especially the school going, are often the victims of this domestic violence.
Erosion of income can be prevented by promoting money saving habit. Saving cum Relief
scheme is being implemented to enhance saving habits of fisherman which would make
them confident in repaying the loans and also serve as a reserve in the lean season. There
were183,917 fishermen who enrolled under the scheme for the year 2013-2014.

3.3.3.11: Risk Management

As aquaculture is more capital incentive and risk prone, there should be provision
for crop insurance and measures to support market price for the produce.

3.3.3.12: Value addition

Wastage of catch as trash fish can be reduced by converting it into value added fish
products. Value addition of fish catch in fresh form will lead to demand for processed and
ready to eat fish products like breaded and battered fish items, fish burgers, sea food mix,
fish fingers, fish sausage, etc. By establishing Solar fish drying units, the excess catch can
be made into good quality dried products.

3.3.3.13. Social capital for livelihood

It is seen that large section of the fishermen belongs to the productive age groups,
between 20 and 60. Even then the dependency ratio is 1:4, because, 41.43% of the work
force remains unemployed. Contrary to the previous period, most of the new generation
abstain from fishing even if they could not find a job outside fishery and tends to remain
unemployed. Except in Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram district, new generation of
fisher folk is showing tendency for moving towards coolie works. This trend is initiated

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after the hope emanated from the booming gulf migration. Regarding Gulf migrant
fishermen, 33% is employed in fishing activities and 50% in coolie activities. Secondary
level education and lack of vocational competency fetch them a very meagre salary of Rs.
10000/month. Effective fishing days of fishermen per week have been reduced from 6/7
days to 3/4 days. Most of the fishermen aren‘t considering the NREGS as a means of
alternate employment. Sea-wall repairing, cleaning of beaches, planting mangroves/trees
for shore protection, reclamation of ponds and formation of bunds can be included under
NREGS to provide supplementary income to fisher folk at least during the non-fishing
days. Rather than remain idling during non-fishing days, the fishermen can be effectively
deployed for other part time livelihood avocation, after providing skill training and capital
support. Even though, they may face problem in other fields of occupation, it can
supplement them with additional income. It can stabilize the already congested fishing
sector and enhance their per capita income.

In a deprived community with meagre income, the role played by women member in
securing the livelihood of their family members is quite significant. The trend noticed
among a part of the fisher folk families is that the fishermen will generally squander the
money they earn on the same day itself forcing the women to run the family. Among the
total fisherwomen of 3,03,194, around 1.70 lakh fisherwomen are in the age group from
25-45 years. Out of this, around 50,000 fisherwomen are involved in fish vending and
allied activities like auctioning, peeling, pre-processing etc. After the hazardous attack of
tsunami on the Kerala coast on 26th December 2004, Government of Kerala has initiated
many sustainable livelihood programmes under Tsunami Emergency Assistance
programme (TEAP) and Tsunami Rehabilitation programme (TRP). An agency, Society
for Assistance for Fisherwomen (SAF) was evolved specially for providing livelihood
support to the youth fisherwomen of Kerala. The venture was a great success and 21,671
fisherwomen got assistance for alternate livelihood activities and 60% of them lead an
average life today by earning an additional income. The average monthly net profit is
calculated as Rs.3862. The remaining one lakh fisherwomen are presently idle and they
would have been provided with alternate livelihood opportunities. The additional income
realized by the woman member of the family will in turn accelerate the process of socio-
economic development.

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3.3.3.14: HDI- education, health Education & Literacy

Educating the new generation of the fisher folk is the fundamental solution for
poverty reduction. Education makes a person more efficient in using the available
financial resources. Educational rate of fishermen population enhanced from 23.2% (1980)
to 72.80% (2005), but the rates of drop outs in primary classes remain in between 12-15%.
They were forced to involve in fishing from a very early age of 12 years onwards for
assisting their elders. Hence, it is highly important to provide awareness to the parents
about the importance of education and its magical transformation role in moulding the
future generations. It is reported in 2009 that only 34.21% of students from fisher folk
having study facilities at home. Even though the general population of the State is attaining
remarkable change in technical/professional education in the last decade, fishermen
population stay aside without any interventions. Nonetheless, in higher education above the
higher secondary level, and especially, in the post graduation, technical and professional
education, the community depicts a more distracted situation. Hence, sufficient scaffolding
has to be given to the students from fishermen family so that they may be able to compete
with general population. In such a predicament, a concerted effort is to be made urgently to
bring up the fisher folk into the educational standard of the general population. The
children of fishermen may get better employment in other sector if better education
facilities are given to them. The details of financial assistance on education provided by the
State Government to them for the year 2014-15 are given below.
Category No. of students
Lower primary 19,237
Upper primary 21,778
High School 31,979
Higher secondary 11,099
Bachelor degree 5101
Professional degree 922
Post-graduate degree 640
Doctorate study 4
Others 706
Total 91,466

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 There are 246 lower primary schools, 122 upper primary schools, 58 high schools
and 62 higher secondary schools existing in the fishing villages. It is pity to note that 123
marine fishing villages have no facility under Government or Aided sector for the high
school education of fishermen children in and around 5 Kilometre radius. Despite several
programmes for improving the educational infrastructure in the State, the coastal villages,
particularly the fishermen habitations have not received adequate attention. Inadequate
infrastructure, poor maintenance, lack of modern educational provision etc. are some of the
deficiencies to provide quality education. The physical infrastructures of most of the
coastal schools are abysmally poor.

In the year 2011, 93.92% of Kerala population were literate. However the fishermen
community of Kerala is an outlier to this trend. Average literacy among the fisher folk is
just 85.84%. But for active fishermen the literacy rate is still 60-70%. Regular reading
habit continues with 18% of fishermen household and most of the subscription is only due
to the compulsion by political parties or religious institutions. The pitiable level of reading
habits makes the fishermen vulnerable to socio-political awareness and participation. It is
more pitiable that more than 20% of fishermen population are unaware of various welfare
schemes implemented by the State Govt. particularly fishermen of Thiruvananthapuram
and Malappuram districts and northern parts of Kasargode districts.

Effective strategies should be taken to ensure 100% enrolment for education at the
age of 5 plus and arrest dropouts at least up to the higher secondary level and the
community should be made aware about chances of socio-economic development through
education. Study centre for the students of fisher folk should be established so that proper
and effective study habits are developed and educational interest maintained with the help
of extension staff. Selected coastal schools may be adopted to provide more focused
quality education. Promote regular reading habits among fisher folk by establishing
libraries or reading rooms. Special coaching program can be imparted to the youth of fisher
folk for various competitive examinations.

Poor housing conditions, non- availability of safe drinking water, lack of total
sanitation coverage, improper waste disposal, unscientific drainage systems etc adversely
affect the health of the fisher folk and 7.6% of them suffer serious health problems.

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Incidence of water borne diseases, skin diseases, cancer, tuberculosis, stroke, paralysis,
filariasis, mental disorder etc are considerably high in coastal area compared to the general
population. The frequent occurrence of water borne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery,
cholera and typhoid are clear indicators of the poor health and sanitary conditions
prevailing in the area. The fisher folk also succumb to their job oriented ailments like
rheumatism, body pain and gynaecological problems. This situation reduces the number of
effective working days and life span.

Many of fishermen are marginalised from the public health care systems. For
meeting expenses connected with medical treatment and delivery, they rely on local money
lenders with usurious interest rate. There are cases that people stop treating the disease,
after sometime when they think that the expense exceeds their financial capacity. On an
average, people spend Rs.500-3600 for acute diseases and Rs.7,000 to 15,999 for chronic
diseases. Medical insurance is taken by only 35.82% of total households. The existing
coastal health centres have poor infrastructure facilities and the doctors are often hesitating
to work there. Recently the State Government has taken-up steps to provide adequate
infrastructure facilities to 54 existing hospitals.

Excessive consumption of liquor and its addiction is quite widespread in the coastal
area, which has also become a major health hazard and is the root cause of the socio–
cultural impoverishment of the community. Persons of 60 and above just constitute only
6.19% indicating the lesser longevity of the fisher folk. Effective man days and longevity
of fisherman can be enhanced by ensuring good health. Good health care to fisherman can
be assured by providing sufficient man power and infrastructure facilities in the coastal
hospitals. Conduct of extension programmes, medical camps with continuous follow-up
and tie-up with super speciality hospitals may ensure good health care to fisherman.

3.3.3.15: Social security

Even though per capita income of fisherman is Rs 50,491, it is pitiful to note that
90% is that of total fishermen population has a per capita income of below Rs. 8280. This
meagre income is neither proportionate to their hard work nor to the working hours of more
than 12 hours. Their earnings are far short of their expenditure. Erosion of income as

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interest is the most challenging area. Fishermen spend 60% of their income for food while,
general population of Kerala spent 42% of earnings for food. The expenses for domestic
goods are 15 times lower among the fisher folk. But the amount spent for alcohol is four
times higher among fisher folk than rural Kerala. As a custom, each fishing unit diverts a
portion of their earnings for alcohol consumption. More than 50% of fishermen in
Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha districts are habitual drinkers, while it is only 27.1%
for all fishing villages together. A change in attitude and behavioural pattern is necessary to
reform the society. Programmes should be addressed at the grass root level to liberate the
fishermen from the habit of alcoholism/un authorized drugs.

3.3.3.16: Risk & Vulnerability

The peculiar oceanographic and climatic conditions increase the casualties of lives
and properties of fishermen particularly during monsoon. According to FAO, the marine
fishing industry is one of the most accident prone occupations. The annual death rate while
fishing is 20 times higher than the overall occupational fatality rate. In the year 2014, it is
reported that 101 fishermen lost their life while fishing at sea. In this context the
Government is giving greater attention for risk mitigation by providing sea safety
equipments, conducting sea rescue operations and providing life and accident insurance
coverage. There are no effective programmes to address the damage caused to fishing units
due to adverse climatic factors. The present fishing craft insurance scheme seems to be not
attractive to the fishermen. Most of the fisher folk settlements are not far from the sea shore
which causes chances of damage to the houses and washing away of land during rough
seasons.

3.3.4: Pillar 4: Service delivery

3.3.4.1: Extension Support

There have been improvements among fishermen from their respective previous
levels, but still lag behind the general population. Even after implementing many schemes
for the socio-economic development of fishermen, the achievements are not promising as
we expected. It may be due to lack of proper planning, wrong selection of beneficiaries,
non-participation of community and deviation from guideline during implementation. In

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the fishing villages of Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram districts, the very information
about welfare programmes are not reaching to the real beneficiaries. Hence, a full-fledged
extension support and awareness campaigns are required which are essential to ensure the
outcome of the community development programme as a success. It can motivate and help
to reduce the number of drop outs from school classes and in curing diseases. The educated
youth of the same fishing village can be engaged to provide continuous extension support
after giving intensive training.

Grass root level socio up-liftment programmes for a refined living and awareness
about the need of money saving, alcohol de-addiction, parenting, family bond etc to
fisherman; importance of self actualization and self earnings to fisherwomen and need of
education, focus in life and human values to the children shall be conducted.

For the dissemination of innovative aquaculture technologies of aqua farming to the

farmers, proper extension support is essential. The extension support includes
establishment of demonstration ponds, farmers training at demonstration unit or learning
with the aid of multimedia, sophisticated technical man power etc.

3.3.4.2: Capacity building & HRD

Capacity building is a basic pre-requisite for concerted and sustainable development

and management of fisheries and ensuring food and livelihood security of the fisher
community. Looking towards the future in fisheries management, it is essential to address
the capacity building needs through demand-driven training and educational programmes
for different stakeholders in the fisheries sector, revamping and restructuring training
programmes in core and emerging areas of fisheries science, developing advanced research
and development capabilities and arranging/organizing exposure visits, workshops,
awareness creation, etc.

3.3.4.3: Good Management for Disease control

Fish health management of all farmed species and new entrants in aquaculture for
thorough diagnosis, treatment, prevention and reporting is a necessity in achieving disease

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free and sustainable aquaculture production systems. The economic losses and
environmental issues is the consequent of the outbreak of major epidemics in fin fishes.
Presently, there no system at all for the management of fish diseases in Kerala. Aqua clinic
may be established in all the districts with competent technical man power. Quality
certification of fish seeds, disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention, reporting and
meaningful quarantine, including establishment of an Aquatic Animal Health Centre is
needed. Service of Aquatic Animal Health Centre may include physio-chemical analysis,
disease diagnosing and suggest suitable remedial measures.

3.4: Irrigation

3.4.1: Pillar 1: Raise Productivity (Water Productivity)

Focus areas

3.4.1.1: Improvement of conveyance efficiency

CADWM deals with development of the command area of completed major and
medium irrigation schemes. The main objective of CAD Programme is to increase the
utilization of created potential by better water management and distribution techniques and
thereby achieving higher production and thus increasing the income of individual farmers.
By construction of field channels and by adopting proper water management methods for
distribution of water the wastage of water has been considerably reduced. The ayacut area
where water was not reaching previously are now getting sufficient water. Adaptive trials,
demonstrations, training to farmers etc play a key role in better water management and
agricultural practices. As a result, the agricultural production has gone up. The land
utilization and utilization of the created irrigation potential is also increased.

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3.4.I.2: Micro Irrigation - More crop and income per drop of water

With population growth and rising affluence, the need for food and thus
agricultural water for irrigation is increasing. At the same time the quantity of water with a
sufficient quality is declining. Water use in agriculture is often highly inefficient with only
a fraction of the water diverted for agriculture is effectively used for plant growth and the
rest is drained or lost via evapotranspiration. An ideal irrigation effort aims to cover the
deficit between a crop‘s optimal water needs and what it can take up through natural
means.

Climatic conditions, soil type and structure, plant type, and the irrigation
techniques applied are among the main factors that influence the efficiency and
effectiveness of irrigation practices. For a given location and climatic and soil conditions,
the efficiency of water irrigation practices can be improved by making the right decisions
regarding - Crop type, Irrigation scheduling, Irrigation method, Soil enhancement
measures, source of water. Improving irrigation practices can reduce water and pumping
costs, reduce costs for fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals, maintain a higher soil
quality, increase crop yield by as much as 100%.

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 The Ministry of Water
Resources had constituted a
sub committee under the
chairmanship of M.S.
Swaminathan to prepare a
report on ― More crop and
income per drop of water ‖.
The report gives details of
implementable action plans
incorporating technologies
along with their economics.

India is continuing to invest substantial amount of money for the extension and
improvement of irrigation facility. All the five year plans have given considerable
importance to the creation of additional irrigation potential. In spite of large investments,
the performance of many irrigation and drainage systems is significantly below potential
due to variety of shortcomings. These include inadequate design, use of inappropriate
technology, system layouts that do not adequately reflect existing conditions, inappropriate
governance arrangements, and poor management practices.

Scope to increase water use efficiency

Since land is a shrinking resource for agriculture, increased production can be

achieved by higher productivity per unit of arable land and water. Factor productivity will
have to be doubled, if the cost of production is to be reasonable and the prices of our farm
products are to be globally competitive. Technological improvements in irrigation systems
have also increased production opportunities. Modern irrigation technologies, particularly
sprinkler and drip irrigation, increase water use efficiency. They have opened up
opportunities to cultivate soils with low water-holding capacity (sandy and rock soils) and
to farm low quality lands and steep slopes.

As per the report, it is estimated that with 10% increase in the present level of
water use efficiency in irrigation projects, an additional 14 m.ha area can be brought under
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irrigation from the existing irrigation capacities which would involve a very moderate
investment as compared to the investment that would be required for creating equivalent
potential through new schemes.

3.4.I.3 River Basin Management

Adoption of integrated water resource management

Kerala shall adopt an integrated regional water resource management strategy

that accompanies its spatial strategy or is a part of it. Depending on the type of soil, water
usage, availability, urbanisation rate and agricultural patterns, suitable water strategy needs
to be adopted that caters to the needs of all sectors and stakeholders. Working Group report
on Water Management and Watershed Management notes the case of two rivers- Periyar &
Bharathapuzha and mentions plans to restore them which has to be done on a holistic basis.

Box: Integrated Water Resources Management in Bharathapuzha River Basin

After Periyar, Bharathapuzha has the largest area under one basin in the State. Of
the total basin area of 6186 sq km of Bharathapuzha, 4400 sq km is within Kerala State.
A study was undertaken in Bharathapuzha basin during 2005-07 by IWMI-Tata Water
Policy Program of International Water Management Institute for preparing a basin
management plan aimed to boost up agricultural development. Some of the
recommendations suggested for improving the productivity of rice in Bharathapuzha
basin are :-

a) Improving water utilization capacity of schemes through regulatory reservoirs and

watershed management.
b) Lining the canal systems
c) Investment in water control devices
d) Creation of intermediate storage system in command areas
e) Advancing crop transplanting
f) Building institutional capacity for irrigation management

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3.4.2: Pillar 2: Investment in Infrastructure

Focus Areas

3.4.2.1: Minor Irrigation

The strategy should be to focus on developing minor irrigation systems in Kerala as

they conserve water while achieving results.

Construction of Check Dams

This is a small dam built across a minor channel or drainage ditch and caters to the
temporary or permanent needs of a few hectares of land. Their major advantages are that
they reduce erosion and gullying in the channel, slow the speed of the water flow, allow
sediment and pollutants to settle and facilitate groundwater recharge. Since Kerala has a
number of rivulets, this technique can be widely adopted. This will help to sustain water
flow in the rivers as well as the biotic wealth.

Lift Irrigation

Lifting of water is required for irrigating fertile land at a higher elevation where
gravity flow of stored water is not possible. Lift irrigation schemes involve lifting of water
by mechanical means for irrigating mostly for paddy fields having a command area of not

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less than 40 Ha. Although mechanical lifting is required, these schemes are very useful and
serve the marginal farmers of the State. The sources of water are usually canals and rivers.
There are about 442 lift Irrigation schemes which are in operation for supply of water to
agriculture under the Water Resources Department. An ayacut of around 42,000 hectares
(42848.07) has been achieved by the various Lift irrigation schemes in the state.

3.4.2.2: Traditional water sources

There are many local – level traditional rainwater harvesting and conserving
structures/ systems prevalent in Kerala, like check dams of various types ( katta in
Kasargod, anicut in Palakkad & brushwood check dams in Wayanad), ponds/small
reservoirs ( mathakkam in Kasargod, pallam in Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram,
chirakandam in Palakkad), small wells/pits (keni in Wayanad, oli in different parts),
silt traps (muttana in Palakkad) .

Working Group Report on Water Management & Water shed Management explains
how kattas (check dams) and surangams (water tunnels) in Kasargode district enhance
water status and contribute to agricultural production. Surangams are basically horizontal
wells/tunnels dug through the laterite hill slopes, from the periphery of which water flows
out by gravity usually into open pit/tank/pond. Water from surangam is used both for
domestic and irrigation purposes. Agriculture and groundwater departments need to work
together to limit bore wells and instead encourage traditional water systems as they boost
the use of water in a sustainable fashion. Kerala should explore, on a pilot basis , ways to
revive kulams in Palakkad district. In general, the tanks and ponds in Kerala should be
revived for irrigation given their positive economic and ecological benefits.

3.4.2.3: Restoration of Tanks & Ponds

Though ponds play an important role in the development of an area, over a

period of time the pond system has failed due to its poor upkeep and maintenance. As part
of reviving the defunct water bodies, a scheme viz ― Repair, Renovation and Restoration of
water bodies‖ was launched by Ministry of Water Resources, GOI. In compliance to this,
Kerala Irrigation Department has also initiated steps to furnish a reliable data on the
number of tanks and ponds in the state of Kerala.

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 Considering the importance of ponds especially in times of drought, and
understanding the necessity to rejuvenate them, it is essential to identify the number of
such structures prevalent in the State. Accordingly, IDRB has prepared a database on the
existing ponds in Kerala.

As an initial step, site inspection was carried out by a team consisting of 49

Assistant Engineers and their subordinates. Executive Engineers of Minor Irrigation
Divisions acted as Nodal Officers for coordinating the activities. As part of preparing the
database, various hydraulic structures like ponds, vented cross bars, check dams, lift
irrigation schemes, salt water extruder cum bridge, lakes, dams etc were identified. Various
locations of these structures were identified using GPS instruments in which features such
as name, length, breadth, depth, altitude, storage capacity , full supply level, pump
capacity, ayacut area etc were recorded. Details were created as a database in Geographical
Information System (GIS) platform as well as spatially represented as a map. Hence the
chance of duplication is eliminated.

Data are prepared river basin wise. Each structure is given an identification number
which facilitates easy assimilation. Ponds are given a 10 digit Unique Identification
number in which first two digit indicates name of State, second two digit the name of river
basin, third two digit represent sub basin and last four digit the serial number of the pond.
Since Bharathapuzha basin contains larger number of ponds, this is divided into 5 sub
basins.

Taking into account public, private & unidentified ponds, this database includes 40976
ponds covering 32 basins. This includes public and private ponds numbering 7677 &
22491 respectively.

3.4.2.4: Completion of long pending infrastructure projects

Major Irrigation projects such as Karapuzha, Muvattupuzha, Idamalayar and

Banasurasagar are long pending for more than three decades. Huge amounts are set apart
on these projects each year under annual plan. A proactive action is required to complete
these pending projects.

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3.4.2.5: Flood management for Agriculture

Though it may not be possible to change certain factors contributing to frequent

floods and droughts, like spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall, geology,
geomorphology etc, it is definitely possible to have a planned land use as well as
development and conservation activities. If proper planning is done with regard to land use,
soil conservation and developmental activities in a river basin, it may be possible to a great
extent to control floods, droughts and high rate of sediment transport. Hence, flood
management aims at providing a reasonable degree of protection against flood damage at
economic costs.

Kuttanad Package

The total outlay of the Kuttanad Package as per MSSRF report is Rs 1840.40 crore.
Out of this, Rs 1517.90 crore is set apart for the Irrigation sector (82.5%). Projects worth
Rs. 771.11 crore have been sanctioned under Flood management programme. Central and
State release comes to Rs. 164.32 crore. There was no central release during 2013-14 &
2014-15. The major issues regarding the implementation of Kuttanad package is slow pace
of progress, tender excess, cost escalation etc. Time bound completion of the project is
required to avail maximum assistance from Government of India and to develop the
Kuttanad wetland ecosystem.

3.4.2.6: Ground water management

National Water Policy of Government of India states that traditional water

conservation practices such as rainwater harvesting and non- conventional methods such as
artificial recharge of ground water need to be practiced to increase the utilizable water
resources. The best method of rainwater harvesting is ground water storage, because it not
only involves filtration of surface water, but is also safe from evaporation losses, natural
catastrophes and so on. Artificial recharge of groundwater is the process of diverting
surface water into suitable geological formations. The common structures are percolation
tanks, khadins, check dams/ anicuts, sub surface dams and injection walls. Hence,
investment in Groundwater storage and utilization structures should be concentrated.

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 Prospects of Ground Water in Kerala

3.4.2.7: Integrated Watershed Management

The watershed development approach proposed for the State can be oriented to
prepare master plan through a four step activity.

(1) Preparation of Block level watershed appraisal report

(2) Preparation of micro water shed development report
(3) Preparation of micro watershed action plan
(4) Preparation of Block level master watershed development plan

Watershed management can be considered as a three dimensional activity in which

management process, management activities and management system elements provide the
analytical frame. A comprehensive watershed management programme should address
issues like drinking water, agricultural productivity, irrigation, poverty, deforestation,
sedimentation, biomass generation, perenniality of river & flooding.

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3.4.2.8: Rain water Harvesting for Irrigation

It is generally used for irrigation or other grey water uses, though it can also be used
for drinking water if it is adequately treated. Rainwater harvesting for agriculture generally
involves creation of structures such as check-dams, ponds, and percolation tanks at a
planned set of places along the flow path. This increases the percolation of the water into
the ground and recharges the groundwater table. It increases the supply of water in the
wells and the duration of availability. Decentralized small harvesting structures present a
major alternative to conventional river basin water resource development. Some of the
benefits of rain water harvesting are reduced run off, healthier plants and water savings.

3.4.2.9: Irrigation support in Urban agriculture

Water use and Reuse for Urban Agriculture

The use of water in urban agriculture is a relevant issue both in terms of

competition with other uses and in terms of safety for human health. In regions where the
freshwater resources are scarce, wastewater can become a valuable resource in irrigated
agriculture. In rapid growing urban centres, water has become a fragile and scarce resource
in a competing environment.

Management of water resources has become an urgent issue as urban and

peri-urban farmers often apply water from municipal sewage, mostly in its untreated form,
increasing the risk for illnesses to farmers and consumers. In urban and peri-urban
agriculture, locally adapted small scale irrigation and plant production methods and
schemes are possible solutions to save water. Low cost water-savings technologies such as
underground and drip irrigation can increase water efficiency as well as allowing safe use
of low quality water resources. Treated domestic waste water can be used for irrigating
trees, crops and even gardens in households.

Drip irrigation infrastructure can be manufactured from existing local products,

such as using porous ceramic containers or pipes with holes in which water is dripped onto
the soil above the root zone only. Drip irrigation practices offer the opportunity of spot
irrigating and fertilizing when using wastewater, often utilizing a third of the water used in
conventional irrigation practices. Drip irrigation also offers the added benefit of

144
minimizing the contact of the wastewater and the crop, decreasing the likelihood of
contamination. In cases of salt-tolerant crops, brackish water can be used in localized
irrigation schemes. Simple hydroponics (SH) promotes water savings in recycling and
decontamination of water and will facilitate growing of plants in areas with marginal
conditions for crop production, such as adverse climate, soil, space limitations in cities,
water scarcity, and pest occurrences.

3.4.3: Pillar 3: Service Delivery

3.4.3.1: Effective Functioning of institutions for water distribution

Role of Project Advisory Committee

For the implementation of any project , a Project Advisory Committee is formed

at the District level, in which the District Collector is the Chairman and Executive Engineer
of the project is the convenor. Members of Legislative Assembly are also representatives
of the committee. The committee should be convened twice in a year.

This committee takes decisions regarding the time to start the distribution of
water, water distribution turn and takes initiative to solve any issues relating the canal
system. Thus, anything and everything regarding the water distribution system will be
decided by this committee.

Role of Canal Committee

The canal committee is formed in the respective local body which is benefitted
(ayacut area) out of this project. The members of this committee are Panchayat members,
Karshska sanghams, Agricultural Officers etc. Asst Executive Engineer will be the
convenor of the committee and an elected farmer will be the chairman. One member of this
committee will be nominated for attending the Participatory Advisory Committee. This
committee controls and takes decision on canals and water distribution systems of that
particular local body.

Beneficiary Farmers Association

Regarding the implementation of CADA canals, Beneficiary Farmers Association is

constituted in which Engineers and officers of Agricultural Department are also members.

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Around 722 BFA‘s have been formed, but only some are functional. For undertaking
maintenance works of completed CADA canals, funds are given to the farmers, but it is not
carried out resourcefully.

3.4.3.2: Motivating maintenance of field channels by beneficiaries

Though funds are being given to the farmers for maintenance of CADA canals, to
make it effective, properly and timely intervention by the Department is very essential.

Padasekharasamithies

The State Government has initiated a pilot project linking Padasekharasamithies and
the field for the effective functioning of field channels and drains of CADA projects.
Department of Agriculture is providing support for padasekharasamithies for institutional
building, crop management as well as for other promotional activities of paddy at
padasekharasamithy level. Padasekharasamithy based intervention will be an ideal
institutional support for the effective functioning of field channels and drains. During
2015-16, pilot project is extended to more areas. We are envisaging effective service
delivery by the convergence of irrigation and agricultural department through this
institutional mechanism. Further institutional support may be worked out on convergence
mode to increase income of the farmers through effective utilization of water.

3.4.3.3: IT application for service delivery

Outstanding contribution to water use efficiency was achieved mainly in countries

that are exposed to strict water scarcity and benefit of high technology development.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is one of the most effective means in
upgrading of land and water management and increasing food production. ICT and
automation facilitated optimization of pressure regime in delivery networks, savings of
water and energy and the invoicing of consumers according to their actual water
consumption. Adoption of ICT & automation enhanced water use efficiency in irrigation
by 10%-50%, increase yield per land and water unit by 20%-100%.

One beneficial by-product of automation and ICT in irrigation management is the

adoption of volumetric approach in water application. Volumetric automation and

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scheduling commits volumetric definition of the preset water amount to be delivered,
independently from time designation.

Automation and ICT can be implemented independently from each other.

Automation in irrigation is classified in two categories:-

1. Automation on time basis – using timers for opening and shut down of valves
2. Automation on volumetric basis – automatic shut down of valves after a preset
volume of water had been delivered.

Almost every system (drip, sprinkler, surface) can be automated with the help of
timers, sensors or computers or mechanical appliances. A pilot project could be initiated in
Bharathapuzha basin for ICT application in irrigation.

3.5: Towards a convergence in Green Growth

With the increasing emphasis on need for development, coupled with increasing
urbanization, it is becoming apparent that the natural resources are to be used judiciously
and sustainably. Natural resources play a vital role in providing livelihood and securing life
sufficient – ecological services. There is need to design programmes to improve the quality
of natural capital.

Development of agriculture continues to remain critical for Kerala‘s economic

growth and poverty reduction. The nature of agriculture has been changing rapidly during
the last two decades and farmers currently need a range of support including
organizational, marketing, technological, financial and entrepreneurial support. Addressing
this involves interventions from several agencies at different levels which need to be
converged and effectively delivered.

To give recognition and status to the farmer youth, they should be trained, tested
and certified in farm skills on modular basis through systematic capacity building to enable
them to engage in agribusiness activities and to take up employment in various farm related
services. To attract and retain youth in farming, the farming itself needs to be redefined to
meet their expectations and leverage their strengths.

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 Decentralised planning adopted in Kerala for more than 15 years has enhanced local
capacity in understanding issues, identification of strategies and project formulation. It has
succeeded in motivating several experiments and contributing significant investment in
agriculture sector. Further strengthening of decentralized planning is essential for
agriculture and allied sectors as the local level resources, convergence and leadership,
climate and agroecological features dictate success of any intervention. Local level
planning at agroecological unit basis in each district helps to arrive at an integrated,
participatory and co-ordinated initiative for agricultural development. The convergence
will help to identify a resource envelope at the district and agroecological unit basis.

Expansion of organic agriculture, safe to eat mode of production, safe to

environment mode of production, ecological agriculture, popularization of good
agricultural practices (variants of green agriculture) and development of healthy soils
focusing more on managing fertility and biological fertility are critical for moving towards
agriculture green growth.

A strong and vibrant agriculture sector with an expanded outlook is a prerequisite

for achieving a faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth. A mission mode approach is
also critical for bringing about convergence and synergy among the different departments
and agencies. The challenges facing agriculture are complex. Issues such as food
insecurity, weather variability and climate change, water availability, biodiversity and
associated ecosystem service loss need to be addressed simultaneously. Innovation in
agriculture is a key element in meeting these challenges. Increased productivity needs to
balance immediate demands for feeding the world against future concerns for
environmental stability.

The Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) has estimated the gross investment
requirements for primary agriculture in developing countries at US$125 billion per year
to 2030, to increase agricultural productivity to double current levels. Agricultural
growth needs to be more inclusive, supporting the equitable reduction of poverty and
hunger and balanced with preserving existing high value ecosystem. The productivity
revolution in the sector could require additional costs beyond current spending but no
estimate exists of the incremental cost for greening the agriculture sector.

WEF - Green Investment Report 2013

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Chapter 4: Support from Government of India

4.1: Measures /assistance expected from GoI/NITI Aayog

Support for State specific Centrally Sponsored Schemes

State Government has provided possible plan support from State plan as well as
from the plans of the local governments for the development of agriculture over the plan
periods. The outlay has been increased to about 12.07 percent of state plan to agriculture
and allied sectors including irrigation, out of the total state plan outlay of Rs.20000 crores
in 2014-15. Over and above this , the outlay provided by the local self governments during
2014-15 was about Rs.215 crores adding to 13.4 per cent of outlay for agriculture sector in
the state. In spite of all committed public investments, the performance of agriculture is not
encouraging. The growth rate in agriculture was negative during 2013-14 at -2.88 percent
leading to a looming livelihood crisis in the coming years. The low price of natural rubber
due to low international prices of natural rubber owing largely due to low prices of crude
oil being an ingredient of synthetic rubber which is adding another crisis in Kerala
agriculture. About 21 per cent of net cropped area in the state is under natural rubber and
farmers have started neglecting management of the crop.

The agriculture sector needs special projects for addressing issues in perennial and
plantations crops. Systematic replanting programmes of tree crops like coconut, cashew,
rubber and other perennial crops are required. Apart from this , the state is a chronic food
deficit State which depends heavily on neighbouring states. The success of massive
vegetable development programme implemented by the state in the 12th five year plan with
the support of State plan is an example of how flexible fund added to the improvement of
production of vegetables in the state by addressing state specific issues. State government
has substantially hiked budget provision by more than twelve times for vegetable
development during 12th plan period.

In order to take up such other massive programmes in agriculture to supplement the

resources of the state, untied umbrella programme in CSS seems to be better for the state.
The suggested umbrella schemes are shown below.

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4.1.1: Umbrella schemes for CSS in agriculture and allied sectors

Assistance from GoI under CSS may be limited to the following umbrella schemes
with flexibility for the state to implement and design sub schemes relevant to the state.

i. Krishonnati Yojana
ii. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
iii. Livestock Mission
iv. Coastal social Infrastructure and Livelihood Management

All existing schemes could be clubbed in the umbrella scheme with a lumpsum
allocation. No separate allocation is needed for each scheme under the umbrella scheme.
Norm based state allocation for each umbrella, based on transparent criteria should be
included in the budget document. Allocations may be pooled department wise under each
umbrella. The RKVY model formula may be evolved for different Departments/
Umbrellas by NITI Aayog in consultation with states. The unit cost may vary depending on
local conditions , not only between states, but even intra state. States should be given
freedom to fix unit cost based on transparent criteria evolved in consultation with NITI
Aayog.

Role of NITI Aayog in CSS

i. The NITI Aayog may organize annual, bi-annual or quarterly meetings of states on
methodology of allocation, issues in spending, outcomes and exchange of
views/experiences.

ii. To approve frameworks designed by each state to align the deliverables under CSS
with national priorities.

iii. While states should be given the flexibility to modify and design schemes under
each CSS umbrella, this should be done in consultation with ,and approval of, the
NITI Aayog.

4.1.2: Consultancy support

A mechanism to be evolved in NITI Aayog to avail consultancy support of experts
in various sectors in project preparation in some selected areas like packaging, supply

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chain management, E commerce, value addition, new technologies, spatial technology ,
information technology etc.

4.1.3: Facilitate technology transfer from reputed institutions with in the country and
support for new development models

It is desirable to have a mechanism in NITI Aayog to facilitate technology support.

New technologies available in reputed research institutions and new development models
from other states could be facilitated to discuss in NITI Aayog. Support of Government of
India is required for the identification of successful development models from other states
for state level adaptation. Funding for pilot testing of successful models could substantially
enhance the implementation under a National guidance framework.

4.1.4: Facilitate International collaboration

The development professionals may be facilitated to visit various leading

international technology centres as well as in countries with good development models
relevant to the state. Hand holding and funding support from NITI Aayog will facilitate the
process.

A mechanism for interaction of state level officers with foreign countries focusing
on development projects, international exposure visit, as well as collaboration for
investment in development projects also to be developed at Government of India level with
the involvement of Ministry of External Affairs. A separate wing may be developed in
NITI Aayog / MEA for this process.

4.1.5: Support for Risk Management in Agriculture

The agriculture sector is exposed to a variety of risks which occur with high
frequency. These include climate and weather risks, pests and diseases, natural
catastrophes which cause highly variable production outcomes. Production risks are
exacerbated by price risks, credit risks, technology risks and institutional risks. Risk
management in agriculture ranges from informal mechanism like avoidance of highly risky

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crops, diversification across crops and across income sources to formal mechanisms like
agriculture insurance, minimum support price, price stabilization fund and future‘s
markets. The frequency and severity of risks in agriculture in the State particularly in the
last few years has increased due to globalization and liberalization policies as well as due
to weather fluctuations. A paradigm shift is needed in the post WTO regime where market
forces play a greater role in price discovery and price realization. An efficient risk
management system for agriculture will pressure the standard of living of those who
depend on farming, strengthen the variability to farm business and provide an environment
which supports investment in the farming sector.

The suggested support for risk management in agriculture is shown below.

4.1.5.1: Design of effective Risk Management Instrument in Agriculture for price

stabilization

Price volatility has increased with sharp swings in product and input prices. Markets
have been affected by macroeconomic disturbances, disease outbreaks and adverse weather
events such as floods and droughts. With agriculture policies that are more decoupled from
production and prices, farmers are now more exposed to market forces than the past. Risk
management in agriculture is now an essential tool for farmers to anticipate, avoid and
react to shocks.

There is a wide range of market based price risk management instruments available
including futures. None of these instruments fundamentally alters the risky character of the
markets. There are many obstacles hindering the use of market based risk management
tools.

The Price Stabilization Fund operated by the Ministry of Commerce for plantation
crops is not effective in addressing the price volatility. The price stabilization fund was
established by the Ministry of Commerce based on a report of the NCAER for four
plantation crops – Tea, rubber, coffee and tobacco, based on a price spectrum band by
taking into account a seven year moving average of international prices. A restructuring of
the scheme is required to make it useful for the farmers.

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 The recently introduced Price Stabilization Fund scheme of the Ministry of
Agriculture in 2015 is simply a interest free working capital advance for the procurement
of onion and potato. A comprehensive scheme for addressing price instability of perennial
crops like coconut, rubber, spices, vegetables etc needs to be designed and financially
supported from Government of India to improve livelihood security of farmers and
agriculture development of the State.

4.1.5.2: Effective Crop Insurance

Crop insurance is used to share production risks. National Agricultural Insurance

Scheme, modified National Agricultural Insurance and weather based insurance are the
insurance schemes implemented with the support of Government of India. Crop insurance
is a financial mechanism in which the uncertainty of loss in crop yields is minimized by
pooling most uncertainties that impact crop yields, so that the burden of loss can be
distributed. However in order to benefit the farmers more, a restructuring of insurance
schemes are required. The limited expansion in the scope and content of crop insurance did
not measure up to the expectations of the farming community.

Weather based crop insurance scheme has been under implementation from 2007
onwards including the pilot phase. The density of automatic weather stations and IMD
observatories need to augmented. The requirement of a high density weather station
networks needs to be supported by Government of India to make the scheme effective. The
technical parameters of the scheme also to be re examined to make it more farmer friendly.

4.1.5.3: Agriculture Credit Risk Guarantee Fund

Due to vulnerabilities of small and marginal farmers to vagaries of nature and

several other external factors, there is relatively high degree of risk associated in lending to
agriculture sector and more specifically to small and marginal farmers, oral lessees, tenant
farmers and landless labourers. The Financial Stability Report (RBI, June 2011) states, the
asset quality under priority sector lending, especially agriculture deteriorated at a faster
pace as compared to overall asset quality, which was a concern. The gross non-performing
asset ratio (NPA) in respect of credit to the agriculture segment rose to 3.3% in March
2011 as against 2.4% in March 2010. The deterioration in the ratio was attributable to a rise
to 60 percent in agriculture NPAs as against a growth of 19 percent in agriculture credit.

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Establishment of credit guarantee fund to deal with the cause of distressed small and
marginal farmers appears as efficient mechanisms to address the risk in agriculture sector.
This will also protect lending institutions against perceived risks in lending to small and
marginal farmers. Government of India may create a Credit Risk Guarantee Fund for
Agriculture. Such mechanisms will encourage banks to extend loans liberally to small and
marginal farmers leading to hassle free credit to vulnerable groups in agriculture.

4.1.5.4: Income guarantee programme

The agrarian crisis could be effectively addressed through the introduction of

income guarantee scheme. Income guarantee has been proposed as an effective instrument
for safeguarding farmers , in the Kerala Agricultural development policy approved in 2015
also. The National Farmers Commission stated- progress in agriculture should be measured
by the growth rate in the net income of the farm families…moving away from an attitude
which measures progress only in millions of tons of food grains and other farm
commodities – quoted in the policy document. The policy recommended the formulation
and enactment of Farmer‘s Income Guarantee Act which assures all farming households a
dignified living income to meet the basic living expenses. A lead role by Government of
India is required to design an Income Guarantee Programme for the farmers with
significant financial contribution.

4.1.6: Interest subvention for short term and investment credit

Government of India provided 2% interest subvention scheme from 2006-07

onwards which was revised to 3 percent from 2009-10 onwards. Additional 1% interest
subvention was extended to farmers who will repay loans on or before the due date fixed
by the bank, subject to a maximum period of one year. Even though Government of India
has allocated Rs.13000 crore in the budget 2015-16 for implementation of the interest
subvention scheme for short term crop loans during 2015-16 , it has been communicated to
continue the scheme till 30th June 2015. It is reported that various alternative approaches
for improving the efficiently of the scheme are being examined. Support for low cost credit
is essential to improve livelihood of the farmers.

Currently at the All India level, private sector constitutes almost 85% of the capital
formation in agriculture (Nabard 2014) Investment credit has emerged as the major driver

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in private capital formation. However, the recent declining trend in investment credit vis-à-
vis crop loan has serious implication for sustaining capital formation in agriculture.
Investment made by farm households on farm equipment, machinery, livestock, irrigation,
land reclamation, land improvements etc are included. Household investment would
constitute around 90% share in private investment. The ratio of capital formation in
agriculture to overall GDP has stagnated at a level below 3 percent. The average was
2.69% for the period 1990-95 to 2011-‗12 (Nabard 2014) at national level. A new interest
subvention scheme for investment credit needs to be supported by Government of India for
facilitating capital formation as well as to improve livelihood of small and marginal
farmers.

4.1.7: Support for effective Monitoring and Evaluation

Effective monitoring and evaluation is vital for tracking and measuring results and
throwing light on the impact of development interventions, remain challenging. Monitoring
and evaluation requires selecting indicators of outputs and outcomes. Given the increasing
demand for development accountability and impact, support of professional institutions and
identified experts are required for conducting monitoring and evaluation analysis. Support
of Govt of India in both will enhance the quality of the outputs of M&E works.

Capacity building programme is required for conducting quality monitoring and

evaluation studies with the support of Government of India. Appropriate institutional tie up
could be developed for capacity building of development professionals under the
leadership of Government of India.

4.1.8: Support for Start Ups – TBIs

Start- ups have played and continue to play significant roles in the growth,
development and industrialization of many economies of the world over. Globally
technology based startup companies are registering in higher number than non-high-tech
companies because of their growing importance in the new knowledge economy. Since the
rate of generation and innovation in knowledge has become very fast, the rate of
obsolescence of technology has also become fast and consequently the rate of mortality of
startup companies have also gone up. Hence it is important that appropriate strategies are
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framed for their long term survival. The startup sub sector must be vibrant in order to play
a crucial role in economic and technological developments in the country. The Government
should readily and freely assist startups to have access to necessary information relating to
business opportunities, markets and services which would enable them to enter in new
markets and expand their operation. Government should establish business information
centers and business support center for offering advisory and mentoring services to
entrepreneurs. There is a need to promote effective communication mechanisms between
startups and technology producers in order to create awareness of newer technology
available and transfer of technology and easier access to them. The existing relationship
between Research and Development institutes and startups need to be strengthened. There
is need to promote the establishment of startups coordinating units in research and
development institutions in order to facilitate assistance to these firms. The creation of
frameworks for joint research projects that addresses sectoral needs of stat ups such as
technology support needs and technology information infrastructure is imperative. There is
a need to support technology acquisitions and upgrading by startups through a number of
arrangements such as technical assistance, joint ventures, franchising etc. The
understanding, application and use of pattending among startups should be encouraged and
promoted. There is a need to promote the creation of integrated networks of startups. The
functioning of S&T parks & TBIs needs to be expanded.

4.1.9: Minimum support price for Horticulture Commodities

Horticulture commodities are not covered under the Minimum Support Prices
(MSP) mechanism and therefore, the farmers, at times, don‘t even recover their cost of
cultivation, being fully dependent upon the market for disposal of their produce. The
farmers suffer the most on account of steep fall in prices. At present GoI announces MSP
for 25 major agricultural communities, covering important cereals as well as pulses, oil
seeds, cotton, jute, sugarcane and tobacco. Horticulture crops like vegetables may be
covered under the scheme.

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4.1.10: Linkage and support of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment
Council (TIFFAC)

Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council is involved to look

ahead in technologies, assess the technology trajectories and support technology innovation
by network action in selected technology areas. Support of TIFFAC at state level will help
to locate technologies suited for the State as well as to conduct studies on technologies
related areas relevant to Kerala.

4.1.11: Trade Information Support

Additional Support is required for providing value added trade information.

Monitoring of input/ output data at State level, interstate trade information, import/export
etc are important for framing policies for crops relevant to Kerala. The growing Regional
Trade Agreements and bilateral trade agreements signed by Government of India without
consulting States seems to have significant adverse impact at state level in some areas.
Often details are not available at state level about the likely benefits, likely consequences,
details of the agreements etc. Inorder to monitor the trade flows , a mechanism is required.
The efficiency with which information services can be disseminated could be improved
with the support of the State Govt agencies. The monitoring of domestic and international
prices, assessment of future trends/ forecasts, short-term forecasts of various commodities
etc are important in decision making. This is more important for States like Kerala where
long duration crops are cultivated. Support of Government of India is crucial for
developing such an information base and monitoring on continuing basis.

4.1.12: Support for innovations

Farmers are addressing livelihood constraints and exploring new opportunities by

experimenting with unique combinations of indigenous knowledge and new ideas. The
local innovations include both hard technologies such as tools and implements as well as
new ways of communication, application of electronics, management practices, other
technology innovations, new varieties or marketing.

The government plays a fundamental role, supplying the economic, social and
institutional conditions that faster innovation. The capacity for technological innovations

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needs to be greatly enhanced in order to strengthen innovations and research and
development capacity. Locally controlled innovation support funds that would allow
farmers to invest in their non-research needs to be provided. A significant support is
expected from the Government of India to foster innovation.

4.1.13: Support for agro ecological unit project

On the basis of climate, geomorphology, land use and soil variability, the state has
been divided into five Agro Ecological Zones (AEZ) and 23 Agro Ecological Units (AEU)
with the help of the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Bangalore.
Out of 23, 5 are identified for the special soil and hydrological conditions in the coastal
zone requiring unique management strategies. The districts have been divided into separate
Agro Ecological Units on Panchayat wise. Each AEU is a homogenous agricultural region
in the district characterized by distinct ecological responses to the macro-elements which
are reflected in the vegetation, soils and agricultural land use.

The core approach in agricultural planning is driven by recognition that growth to a

new plateau of performance cannot be achieved by continuing existing approaches and
practices in the State. It is essential to prepare strategies and action plan for each AEZ and
AEU for the development of agriculture and allied sectors. Each district has been divided
into agro ecological units on Panchayat basis within the overall framework of technical
parameters. The yield gaps as well as the potential and issues in AEZ/AEU have to be
addressed separately considering the socio economic setting. There are several region
specific gaps which limit the opportunity of realising higher yield of the
crops/livestock/fish potential. Future crop yields and food security may hinge on the ability
of farmers to narrow the gap between the current yields and yield potential ceilings. The
Agro Ecological Unit wise and consolidated district level yield gaps for various crops,
technology adoption index for various practices, occurrence of pests and diseases, soil
fertility, constraints like labour availability, marketing, mechanization, irrigation and
researchable issues are to be addressed on AEZ/AEU wise for the growth and development
of agriculture in the state. The state desires to implement pilot projects for the
revitalization of agriculture based on the agroecological delineation of the state. Support
from the Government of India is highly essential for the implementation of the project.

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Fig. Agro Ecological units of Palakkad District

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4.1.14: Implementation of Lead Farmer Centred Extension Advisory and Delivery
services (LEADS) project for innovative extension
Farmer led innovation in the Agriculture is the process which individuals or groups
develop and apply improved ways of management or technologies. A number of
outstanding and innovative farmers were available in the system and effective use of them
in technology dissemination were not utilised. A pilot project on mainstreaming lead
farmers in technology dissemination was initiated in two districts where in three most
innovative farmers from each panchayat were selected and around them three satellite
groups were constituted- Lead farmer centered extension advisory and delivery services-
LEADS- For two panchayats one vocational Higher secondary trained personal was
appointed on contract basis for regular field visit to the lead farmers. Support for
disseminating new technologies was also provided to the farmers. Mobile phone was
provided to lead farmers, contractual staff, regular staff, and convener of satellite groups
for regular mobile phone based communication. Monthly Technology Advice (MTA) was
prepared with the support of multidisciplinary team from universities, research stations,
KVKs as well as retired professionals in advance for regular dissemination to lead
farmers, groups, officers, farm schools etc. The project was extended to two more districts
in 12th plan. Setting up of plant clinics at Panchayat level is another extension of the project
where diagnosis and advisories for the management of pests and diseases was extended to
help the farmers. Agroservice centres established at block level is supporting the labour
requirement and other service requirement of farmers. Farmer innovations are promoted
with a small financial assistance for further refinement. The pilot project needs to be scaled
up for implementation to all districts for the revitalisation of agriculture. Financial support
for the innovative extension system is essential to scale it up to all districts for the
revitalisation of agriculture.

4.1.15: Marketing support

APMC Act is not implemented in the state. Private trade is predominant in
agriculture for various commodities and exploitation of farmers by the middle men are
widely reported. Setting up of farmers market is an alternative option tried for fruits and
vegetables and the result is encouraging and the famers share in the consumers rupee is
more in those markets. The setting up of these markets was pioneered through the Fruits

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and Vegetable Council of Kerala. Expansion of farmers markets, setting of cold storage
facilities as well as local cool chambers and other infrastructure support for the markets are
highly essential to support the marginal and vulnerable farmers. A major support from
government of India is expected to set up a network of farmers market in the state.

4.1.16: Food processing and value addition

It is well demonstrated that secondary agriculture can add two to three fold value to
the primary agriculture and can thus invigorate the agricultural economy. The fact that
farm size itself has dwindled to below a level that can provide subsistence to a farmer is a
matter of serious concern. Secondary agriculture is higly complex as it involves old as well
as new technologies, capital investment, investments in rural infrastructure, technology,
marketing etc. Agro commodity based high end processing industries are at an embryonic
stage of development. It is capital intensive and highly competitive. Additional support in
terms of funds, technical as well as institutional tie ups are highly essential to nurture the
nascent sector. The State government has recently started the production of NEERA drink
from coconut for improving the income of coconut farmers. A number of pilot projects
have been established in the State with the initiative of growers associations for the
production of NEERA. A major support from Government of India for agro processing
and value addition can go a long way in revitalisation of agriculture in the State.

4.1.17: Support for expansion of Mechanisation and new trends in technology

Mechanisation has played an important role in the development of modern

agriculture. Several innovative machines are being introduced in agriculture sector both
from within the country as well as from other countries. The spread of mechanisation will
to a great extent improve the viability of farming. Similar to mechanisation a number of
new technologies are being developed in the public sector as well as in private sector.
Another set of new technologies are available in other countries. A major support from
Government of India is required for the introduction and expansion of new technologies in
agriculture.

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Support required for Fisheries sector from Government of India

4.1.18: Regulation on Juvenile fishing

The juvenile fishes are over exploited for the production of poultry/ cattle feed. It
creates serious problem to the management of marine fishery. At present Kerala is
regulating minimum legal size of commercial fishes for capture and marketing. It can be
disseminated to other States. A National policy to prevent juvenile fishing is to be evolved.

4.1.19: Regulation on Aquaculture

Farming of fast growing varieties like GIFT, Nattor, Vannamei etc shall be
promoted after observing all bio-security measures. The State has enforced an Act for
ensuring the quality of fish seed. It can be taken-up by GoI to have consensus of other
States and framing a national policy for the same.

Forest & Wild life Act is a hurdle against the development of reservoir fisheries in
stocking and capturing fish. Regarding fish varieties, the right to fishing include a species
in the purview of Forest & Wild life protection Act shall be vested with the Fisheries
Department. Stocking and capturing of indigenous fishes which are not threatened/
endangered, shall be allowed in the reservoirs even comes under notified area.

4.1.20: Apprehension of the State with the Expert Committee on Sea fishing

The Expert Committee has made 19 major recommendations out of which many of
them are harmful to the fishermen of the coastal State of Kerala. The committee has
formulated its recommendations without taking into consideration of the views of the
fishermen especially the traditional fishermen as well as Department of Fisheries of the
State of Kerala and the concerns of the other stake holders or concerned officials. The
following recommendations are specifically harmful to the traditional fishermen of our
State.

4.1.20.1: The Committee's recommendation is to keep the area from 200 to 500 meter
depth as Buffer Zone. This area falls within the active fishing area of the traditional
fishermen. Keeping buffer zone in the guise to augment the resources and to diversify

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existing fish fleet will of course affects our fishermen adversely especially the traditional
fishermen and the benefits out of this will be favorable to the foreign vessels. At present
the LOP (Letter of Permit) vessels which are conducting fishing in the said area
themselves exploit the resources on a large scale. Even now the fishermen in the State are
not getting sufficient catch because of the large scale exploitation of the fishes by the LOP
Vessels.

4.1.20.2: The recommendation to consider 1178 Deep Sea Fishing Vessels by

incorporating additional 270 vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone is also a
recommendation which is harmful to the fishermen in the above said background. The
State strongly feel that the existing vessels themselves collect the resources fully, part of
which is deserving to the traditional sector. Introducing more Deep sea vessels in the
Indian EEZ will adversely affect the interest of traditional fishermen.

4.1.20.3: Another recommendation which causes strong protest is to acquire foreign vessels
and foreign technology by joint ventures or leasing. This recommendation is also against
the interests of the fishermen of our State. Without giving adequate training to our people
and without strengthening the field by sophisticated vessels having sufficient facilities, if
we go for the acquisition of foreign vessels and foreign technology, the Indian sector will
never become self sufficient. It may be noted that in the committee report there is no
effective suggestion to strengthen the Indian fisheries sector and without trying for that the
committee recommend to liberalize the security clearance of foreign fishermen and foreign
vessels.

4.1.20.4: The recommendation to re-consider the prohibition for fishing now being
imposed to the LOP vessels in certain designated areas in the sea will also lead to over
exploitation of sea wealth.

4.1.20.5: The traditional fishermen in Kerala are conducting fishing in the Exclusive
Economic Zone also for their livelihood. At present in the State of Kerala, trawl ban is
being implemented for 47 days and the period is from June 15th to July 31st of every year.
This period coincides with monsoon. The traditional fishermen fishing by using traditional
methods are exempted from trawl ban. The committee's main recommendation is to extend
the ban period from 47 to 61 days in the west coast, ie from Jun 1 to July 31 of every year

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and to make applicable the ban period to all types of fishermen including traditional
fishermen. It will adversely affect more than 10 lakh of fishermen population of Kerala
State.

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Chapter 5: Best Practices

Given the renewed interest in agriculture, there is a need to take stock of promising
initiatives and opportunities and promote mechanism for upscaling of successful models.

5.1: Best Practice I:

Direct Benefit Transfer to all beneficiary farmers in Kerala by the Department
of Agriculture – Towards a complete coverage
Creation of India‘s first Farmer‘s Database and the most transparent system of
disbursing agricultural subsidies using e-payment bring a transformation of governance in
the Agricultural scenario of Kerala. The adoption of Online Farmer Registration Database
and e-payment using Electronic Benefit Transfer during 2012-13, facilitated faster service
delivery in Agricultural Subsidy Administration by Department of Agriculture. Lack of
Online Farmer Database prevented Agricultural Department in the delivery of services
effectively to farmers in time and resulted in excess paper work and several visits to
Krishibhavans by the farmers. The system of subsidy transfer needed to change to give
farmer more time for concentrating in farming and Department staff more time to visit
farmers field and transfer modern agricultural technology to farmers for enhancing crop
production, productivity and profitability. Adoption of Online Farmer Registration
Database and e-payment using EBT software resulted in more emphasis on the finer points
of Governance, such as farmer centricity, service orientation and transparency. Agricultural
Department of Kerala as a pioneer in the application of IT for the benefit of the farmers
views ICT as vehicle for transforming Kerala‘s agriculture in to a knowledge-based,
economically vibrant, democratic and inclusive activity for the benefit of farmers.

The project was implemented from the year 2012-2013 as per the decision taken
by Government of Kerala .The project was envisaged for e-Payment of subsidies to farmers
with an IT-enabled e-Governance System, in view of the huge amount of subsidy spent by
the Department and lakhs of farmers on the receiving end.

The project is supported by the comprehensive and user friendly portal developed
by the National Informatics Center (NIC) for Farmer Registration and the software for
Electronic Benefit Transfer for Government of Kerala developed by NIC,
Thiruvananthapuram for the use of various Government Departments of the State.
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Purpose and priorities
The main purpose of the project was to create an online farmer database and the
direct transfer of subsidies to the farmers‘ accounts within the shortest possible time and
with the following priorities:

1. Creation of an Online Farmer Database for effectively delivering services to genuine

needy farmers. Farmer data like contact details, bank details, family member details,
identity details, land details, farming and harvesting details, irrigation details,
equipment details, membership details, insurance details, fertilizer and pesticide
details, seed procurement details, loan details, loan repayment details and Krishi
bhavan details etc are captured in farmer database for effective service delivery.

2. Directly credit Agricultural subsidies to Bank account of farmers which is secure,

faster, efficient and transparent. Use of claim processing and e-payment software to
reduce delay and avoid errors in e-payment.

3. Provide field level officers more time for filed visit and transfer of technology
resulting in better adoption of technology and increasing production, productivity and
profitability of farming. Find more time to the Agricultural officers in discharging
their agricultural extension activities.

4. Minimize the burden to farmers to be in contact with the Panchayath level offices
(Krishi Bhavans) for getting their benefits in time. Cut short the procedures to the
minimum for the farmers
Strategies adopted

Technology intervention by e-Government, brings about large-scale changes in all

parts and components of soft and hard systems, namely the organization, people,
technology, procedures, and rules and regulations.

The strategy adopted was to concentrate at the following levels

1. Technology Level: Emphasis given for speed, functionality, user-friendliness,

sophistication of delivery of service etc. Online Farmer Registration Database created
with the help of the technology developed by the NIC and e-payment software

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 technology developed by NIC Kerala on behalf of the Government of Kerala were
adopted, tested and customized for the Department of Agriculture.

2. Process Level: At the Process level, procedures, Rules and Regulations were
concentrated. Necessary Government level and Department level orders and Circulars
were framed and issued for streamlining the process.

3. People level: The main strategy at this level was to make the people aware about the
change and prepare them to take the challenges so as to influence their working habits
and attitudes and also help them to acquire the skills required for the new job. Multi-
level Training programs were arranged for Department officials at various levels who
are part of this project.

A ―Help Desk‖ facility has been initiated at the IT Division of Agriculture

Directorate under the leadership of the Project leader for immediate redressel of
complaints and for help and guidance to all Department officials. A detailed and
illustrated ―Hand Book‖ on e-Payment was also prepared and distributed with a view
to empower the Department officials on this project.

4. Organizational level: The strategy was to keep in touch with all the stakeholders
through meeting, Video Conferencing, evaluation meetings and making necessary
interventions like execution of Service Level Agreements with the participating banks
to ensure and enforce service quality standards.

The stakeholders include the farmers, Department, participating Banks and the
National Informatics Centre (NIC) Kerala, Kerala State IT Mission and AKSHAYA.

Outcomes
A data base of 18.77 lakhs of farmers have been created through the online
software developed and maintained by the NIC. Subsidies worth Rs. 912.33 crores has
been successfully transferred to thousands of farmers during 2012-13 to 2014-15.

Creation of India’s first Farmer’s Database (http://kisan.gov.in/)

 Data of 17,52,003 farmers already entered in Farmer Database.
 18,77,749 applications collected from farmers.

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 Farmer data including contact details, bank details, family member details, identity
details, land details, farming and harvesting details, irrigation details, equipment
details, membership details, insurance details, fertilizer and pesticide details, seed
procurement details, loan details, loan repayment details and krishibhavan details
etc are captured in farmer database.
 Correct targeting of genuine farmers for agricultural subsidy distribution.
 Continuous updation of valuable statistics of individual farmers.
 Good source of information for planning, implementation and monitoring of
agricultural development schemes.
 Simplification of procedures in application form.
 Real farmers getting agricultural loan and interest subsidy.
 Recognising farmers by issuing Agricard in association with Canara Bank.
.
e-payment
(www.ebt.kerala.gov.in)

 one of the most transparent system of disbursing agricultural subsidies in India.

 Subsidies directly paid to the bank account of the farmers.
 Farmers are informed about success or failure of fund transfer through SMS free of
cost to the farmers.
 Subsidy paid to the farmers are published in website to ensure transparency.
 Delay in payment of subsidy can be avoided.
 Farmers need not visits to Krishi Bhavan to enquire about passing of
subsidy/collection of subsidy amount.
 Paper work in subsidy disbursement can be avoided.
 Together with farmer registration software entire subsidy administration of
Agricultural Department can be automated saving time, money and energy of
farmers and officers.
 Right to information becomes easy due to publishing of beneficiaries list in
website.
 Service Level Agreement obtained from participating banks to ensure service
quality.

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  Digital signature and official email id given to all block level ADAs to ensure safety
and security of data.

Highlights of the initiative:

 Transparency and stakeholder participation:

The Software, Electronics Benefit Transfer for Government of Kerala has been
conceived, developed and customized and improved for user-friendliness, transparency,
accountability and reliability. This has been made possible by the overwhelming feedback
and ideas of the Agricultural Department officials and other stakeholders like the
participating Banks.

 Innovativeness of the initiative and its replicability/ scalability:

The project is innovative in terms of the following grounds:

 No database of the beneficiaries initially

 This data are to be created for every season/year
 Huge amount of subsidy
 Multiplicity of schemes
 Decentralized operations at block and krishibhavan levels
 Insufficient supporting staff
 This can be replicated for e-payment of subsidies in any Government
Department including Local Self Government Institutions.

 Increased efficiency and effectiveness in outcomes

The project was helpful in disbursing huge amounts of subsidies to lakhs of

farmers within the shortest possible time with more accountability, transparency and less
errors.

 Sustainability of the initiative:

The success of the project has been proved that the model is sustainable and feasible
in the coming years with the development of technology and innovative ideas. As a part of

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continuous improvement efforts due to dynamic changes in technology the following
activities are proposed to make world class services to Kerala farmers.

Proposed Activities

1) Aadhar Seeding and updation of all farmer data in database

2) Development of Android application of farmer database
3) GIS mapping and survey no based mapping of fields
4) Online application processing for agricultural subsidy.
5) Subsidy claim processing from farmer database.
6) Enabling e-payment subsidies through Post Offices using pincode and EMO code in
place of IFSC code.
7) Enabling online fund transfer to farmers having account in Service co-
operative Banks.
8) Simplification of process of transfer of e-payment file to bank and status file to
ADA through web service.
9) Automation of the entire process and online auditing.

 Facets of good governance demonstrated by the initiative

Simplification of application procedures and process

Saving of time, travel, money and effort of farmer
Subsidy to genuine farmers as per database and directly credited to the bank
account

SMS sent to farmers to inform them about the status of the transaction.
As part of transparency, entire list of farmers who have received subsidy are
published in website with details of schemes and amount of subsidy disbursed.

 Systematic improvement of service: For the preparation of claims and preparation

of e-Payment list compared to the manual system and the procedures are much simplified.
Application form was simplified and system of vouchers discontinued, resulting in saving
of time, travel, money and effort of farmers. Transparency help to remove corruption.

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 Improved accountability and responsiveness: Error in the data related to the
details of beneficiaries may lead to mis-credit of the amount of subsidy. The accountability
has also been ensured with the execution of the Service Level Agreement between the
Department and the Participating banks. Registration of farmers ensure genuine
beneficiaries and ease of operations make this much responsive among officials.

 Public accessibility: As the subsidy directly credited to the bank account of the
farmer it will save time, travel, money and effort of farmers and help them to concentrate
more on their core competency ‗farming‘.

‗SMS‘ alerts will be send to the farmers free of cost, intimating them about the credit or
non-credit of subsidies to their Bank Accounts. This will enable them to collect their cash
or to approach the concerned for rectification defects if any.

5.2: Best practice II

Paddy production to direct benefit transfer: E Governance initiatives

Introduction:
Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation known as Supplyco is the implementing
agency for paddy procurement, Processing and Marketing scheme. The main features of
the scheme are De Centralized Procurement (DCP) and Minimum Statutory Price (MSP).
DCP ensures that food grains grown and consumed locally are procured, processed and
distributed within the region benefiting both farmers and consumers. MSP guarantees a
minimum price for the food grains which is declared ahead of cropping season based on
quality standards which instill confidence among farmers to undertake cultivation. Paddy
procurement scheme is a blessing to strengthen the local economy. Supplyco has been the
leading pioneer in integrating ICT -Information and Communication Technology in paddy
procurement scheme to create accurate and reliable database, exchange information, and
simplifying accounting procedures with increased accuracy.

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Status:
Supplyco has successfully completed 9 years of scheme implementation. Harvest
from August – September to December 31st is classified under first season and the harvest
from January 1st to May 31st is under the second season. During 2014 August to -2015 May
the gross cropped area registered was 140477 hectares, by 167327 farmers. Total quantity
of paddy procured was 549421 MT. During this period Government declared procurement
price of Rs.19 per kg which include Rs.13.60 per kg as MSP and Rs.5.40 per kg as SIB-
State Incentive Bonus; which is the highest in the country.

IT application in Supply Chain: Supplyco has developed a web based platform to

document the entire activities in the supply chain of paddy procurement scheme. The
online website www.supplycopaddy.com collects data and exchanges information between
the stakeholders involved in the supply chain. Supplyco‘s information system has
improved continually with a view to help the farmers, millers and consumers. Supplyco
strives to ensure transparency, reliability and efficiency through out the chain.

Feature-1: Online farmer registration.

Online farmer registration process of paddy procurement scheme is the first and
unique facility for paddy farmers in Kerala. Farmer registration module enables farmers to
create descriptive profile of their cultivation. A structured and definitive database of
padasekharams in the state has been developed. Farmers can access the website during the
cropping season from any region without any time constraints. Nearly 90% of the farmers
complete online registration process within 45 days of sowing. Subject to verification of
cultivation the applicant will be provided an unique number by which the future
transactions are monitored. Farmer can access the website any time to know the status of
activities related to the scheme. The real time information based on spatial and temporal
parameters about paddy cultivation is valuable for development and sustainability of its
supply chain. Clear and precise data about crop acreage, yield and the profile of farmer is
the advantage of such system. When paddy is procured the database will be updated with
production figures.

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 Figure : 1-Screen shot of the website.

Feature -2: PRS computerization.

PRS- Paddy Receipt Sheets are issued to farmers to acknowledge the receipt of
paddy by Supplyco. The conventional practice of writing quadruplicate copies consisting
of farmers details which were submitted at the time of registration were replaced with more
technologically advanced and efficient transfer of data using hand held device with GPRS
facility. The quantity of paddy collected and the destination of storage is recorded through
the hand held device which communicates with website server real-time. When paddy
arrives at storage point the data is cross verified and stock is taken into account. The
payment process is then initiated so that the amount due to farmers are transferred directly
to their bank account. Farmers save their valuable time, money and energy when compared
to the conventional method as the payment process is electronically managed. Error free
data transfer between field, mill and to office has not only simplified payment process but
also reduced time taken for effecting payments.

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 Figure : 2- Poster depicting E PRS Method

The website cum database and its features are hailed as best e governance initiative
by Supplyco. Officials and millers rely on the information system to streamline their
routine works. It helps planners to forecast the production and analyze the yield pattern. A
decision support system is being developed to help scientists to improve the quality of
paddy correlating the information to the soil conditions, variety, season, cropping pattern,
and cultivation practices. Inventory management of 5.5 LMT paddy and fund management
of Rs.950 crore within a span of nine months is precisely carried out with the help of web
based information system. Supplyco has directly benefited from saving valuable human
resources; otherwise could have been a herculean task implementing the scheme within
time frame. Customized versions of the above mentioned features for other crops will
surely herald new dimensions in agricultural development.

5.3: Best Practices III

ATMA plus model of extension - Innovations First

Realising the fact that public extension services need to be geared up particularly in
addressing the emerging technological and knowledge needs. The extension support to
farmers under support to state extension programme for extension reforms is provided

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through a basket of activities called ATMA Cafeteria, which covers activities that are to be
implemented at both state & district levels. District level activities are further categorized
in to four groups viz, (a) Farmer oriented activities (b) farm information dissemination
activities (c) Research extension- farmer activities (d) Innovative activities based on SREP
and the block action plan jointly firmed up by the Block Technology team (BTT) and
BFAC. Additional managerial and contractual manpower were provided for implementing
the work plan. However the weakness include absence of regular field visit, regular
technical advisory system, mainstreaming farmers innovation, inadequate support of
specialists, service support, inadequate focus on farming system approach and natural
resource management, dedicated manpower at lower level for regular field visit.

There is an emergent need to restructure and strengthen the extension system to

meet the challenges highlighted above. This restructuring and strengthening has to be
judicious mix of extensive physical outreach of personal, enhancement in quality through
domain experts, regular capacity building, interactive methods of information
dissemination, and innovative use of ICT. The extension approach therefore has to be a
combination of strategies for augmenting the workforce to support the delivery of
extension services to farmers with innovative approaches for managing the extension
system.

It has been widely documented that farmers learn best from their peers. Setting up
farmer led arrangements is a major challenge. Farmer led innovation in Agriculture is the
process which individuals or groups develop and apply improved ways of management or
technologies. A number of outstanding and innovative farmers are available in the system
and effective use of them in technology dissemination were not utilised. A pilot project on
mainstreaming lead farmers in technology dissemination was initiated in two districts
where in three most innovative farmers from each panchayat were selected and around
them three satellite groups were constituted- Lead farmer centered extension advisory and
delivery services - LEADS. For two panchayats one vocational Higher secondary trained
personal was appointed on contract basis for regular field visit to the lead farmers. An
assistance of Rs.4000/- was extended to lead farmers for setting up demonstration units.
Mobile phone was provided to lead farmers, contractual staff, regular staff, and convener
of satellite groups for regular mobile phone based communication. Monthly Technology

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Advice (MTA) was prepared with the support of multidisciplinary team from universities,
research stations, KVKs as well as retired professionals in advance for regular
dissemination to lead farmers, groups, officers, farm schools etc. The project was extended
to two more districts in 12th plan.

In order to further mainstream the lead farmers as well as other critical gaps in
ATMA, ATMA plus by integrating MTA for regular dissemination was extended to all
districts during 2012-13 based on a revised SREP prepared in all districts simultaneously.
Other components introduced include support for integrated farming system for
diversification of income source, specific farmer field schools for IPM, support for
precision farm schools, technology fund for introduction of any new technology,
organizing technology meet along with KVK, specific initiatives on soil testing, model
panchayat extension plan, organizing farmer groups as apex Farmer Extension
Organization (FEO) at block level with specially trained farmers for training, needs of
farmers, inputs, extension and services (TIES) for the group of farmers, documenting
success stories, specialist contractual support at district level in agriculture, animal
husbandry and fisheries and untied fund for district specific activities. In order to
mainstream farmers innovation, a component on Farmer Technology Development (FTD)
was introduced on competitive grant basis. For selecting technologies for support, Farmer
Research Committee (FRC) was constituted at district level. Formal researchers are not
included in FRC to avoid bias in technology development, by the innovative farmers.

Farmers Innovation Fund

Farmer innovation fund is designed to provide direct, fairly simple competitive

access to small grants for individual farmers who wish to adapt, develop or adopt
innovation on topics and of their own choosing. Access to such funding allows a wide
range of innovations to be tackled and expand innovative capacity among small holders.
They are designed to solve problems and to test innovations.

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Figure: Innovation developed by a farmer

Towards service delivery

Increasing concern about the effectiveness of public extension systems means that
Government and the development partners are grappling with the question of how to
deliver extension which not only addresses information and technology need of farmers but
also provides service delivery.

A network of agro service centers at Block level on self-sustainable basis was also
established to provide labour support, planting materials. biopharmacy etc to support
extension services. Each center is having a labour force attached to it. Initial equipments,
partial operational funds and expert training were given while income and wages were on
self-support basis. It is planned that the Agroservice center will be mainly concerned with
extension and input related services.

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 The success of modified extension approach will depend on how it enhances the
information flow along the agriculture value chain and whether this is done sustainably and
effectively along with service delivery

5.4: Best Practice IV

PLANT HEALTH CLINIC towards revolutionalising agriculture

Introduction

Plant Health Clinics were established under the scheme on crop health management
for providing with adequate diagnostic and advisory facilities to farmers on time and also
to facilitate ecofriendly and scientific pest management strategies to increase production
and productivity.

Concept of Plant Health Clinic

The concept of Plant Health Clinic has been evolved to encourage comprehensive
diagnostic and advisory services for plant health and pest control. Plant Clinics help to
provide timely diagnosis of a wide range of ailments and recommend remedies to reduce
losses, increase crop productivity and boost food security and food safety. A well-
developed, multispecialty, farmer-centric Plant Health Clinic on lines of human clinic in
rural areas helps farmers to get right diagnostic and mitigatory advice in time. An ideal
Clinic is aimed at improving people‘s lives by providing information and applying
scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and saving their crops from ravages of
pests and diseases through timely diagnosis and remedial measures, thereby improving
crop productivity and their well-being. The activities of Plant Clinic extend beyond Plant
Clinic, with emphasis on extension, keeping a vigil on invasive pathogen, promoting
integrated pest management, monitoring pest/diseases distribution, their outbreak, issuing
pest alerts, organising plant health camps for creating awareness regarding likely
appearance of pests/diseases, strengthening mobile clinic approach during disease/pest
outbreak, etc.

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Functions of a Plant Health Clinic:

The major functions of a Plant Health Clinic are Diagnosis of samples brought by
farmers, Provide proper management strategy based on actual observation and examination
of the specimen., Play vital role in promoting locally relevant, affordable and
environmentally friendly practices and technologies, Serve as an information hub for
farmers to solve location specific field problems, Act as a centre for providing early
warning of pest and diseases., Function as a centre to provide information regarding
changing behaviour of already existing pests., Act as an exhibition centre of pest, diseases,
weeds, plant protection chemicals, beneficial insects etc., Provide basic information
regarding soil health status of the village ,Conduct field level work to prepare nutrient
management plan so as to reduce excessive/unbalance fertiliser applications., Exhibit
newer agriculture implements and other latest inputs., Clinic data also provide information
on changing status of pests/diseases, Providing early warning of emerging threats., To act
as a centre for collecting and preserving Indigenous Technology Knowledge. Release
pest/crop advisory bulletins giving emphasis to the local problems and projecting latest
technologies which could be of use to the local farmers., Conduct regular trainings, both
theory and practical‘s pertaining on latest technologies. To serve as a place where success
stories can be projected among other farmers so as to enthuse them to adopt the newer
models. ,To conduct plant health camps so as to contain the emerging field problems., To
serve as a training and production hub of bio inputs such as On farm production of
Trichoderma, Panchagavya, multiplication of beneficial insects etc.

Plant Health Clinic at Vadakkenchery, Palakkad district

A Plant Health Clinic was established at Krishibhavan, Vadakkenchery in Alathur

Block of Palakkad district, Kerala State during 2013-14. In the initial phase the functioning
of the Plant Health Clinic was mainly on pest and dieses diagnosis but during when the
pest surveillance was progressed the functions of the Clinic extended beyond diagnosis to
advisories and various field activities for the benefit of farming community. The Clinic is
acting as a valuable addition to the extension services as Plant health advice opened up to
many more people in a convenient and accessible way. The Plant Health Clinic at
Vadakkenchery is now promoting various sustainable technologies such as Ecological

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Engineering, Agro Ecosystem Analysis, Onfarm production of biocontrol agents etc along
with regular pest and diseases diagnosis and surveillance based advisories. The activities
and outreach activities of the Plant Health Clinic is acting as a total solution which
strengthens the whole plant health system.

Plant Health Clinic Established at Krishibhavan, Vadakkenchery, Alathur Block in

Palakkad District

Activities conducted at Plant Health Clinic

Pest surveillance and advisories
Pest surveillance is the systematic monitoring of biotic and abiotic factors of the
crop ecosystem in order to predict the pest outbreak, study of ecology of pest, population
dynamics, key mortality factors which in turn helps in devising the appropriate
management strategies. Surveillance units were established in farmers fields for five crops
such as Paddy, Coconut, Banana, Vegetables and Pepper and plant health information
were collected from field on a regular basis for reporting the pests and diseases and its
management Based on the plant health information received from fixed plot and rapid
roving survey, advisories were prepared and pest and diseases were forecast on biweekly
interval and disseminated through local newspaper which includes need based management
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strategies. The advisories and recommendations were compiled every month and released
to farmers as Vila NireekshanaPathrika (Pest News Bulletin) named ―Susthira‖. During the
year 2014-15 , 8 nos of Susthira were published and distributed to farmers. The Susthira
Printing charges were met from the fund Plant health Clinic under Crop Health
Management Scheme of Department of Agriculture.

The farmers brought plant parts or report the problems of their crops at the plant
health clinic. Cause of the problems was investigated and determined using diagnostic tools
at Plant Health Clinic. In some cases field visits were also done to analyse field situations
to ensure proper diagnosis. Proper diagnosis helps in selection of appropriate management
practices so as to minimize pest and diseases and put them under control.

A museum of pest and diseases of crops was set apart at Plant Health Clinic
including herbaria and insect box. Herbaria are the collections of biological specimens
which are dead, dried, pressed, preserved and stored along with the information about the
specimens. The diseased plant parts were preserved using preservation techniques either
wet or dry in the Plant Health Clinic and causal organisms were isolated and slides were
prepared and kept at Clinic for further use. The insect pests were pinned in insect box with
proper labels. Herbariums of weeds species were also prepared and preserved at Clinic
with proper label.Insect zoo studies were also conducted at regular intervals and when new
pests were noticed in the field and when farmers wanted to see different stages of the pest.
Live insects, caterpillars, pupae etc collected from field were reared at Clinic using
polythene covers and plastic containers. This would help to study the stage and life cycle of
insect pest and its feeding habits. The parasitoids were emerged from infected larvae and
pupae of insects which explained about the parasitisation. Predators were also reared at
clinic to explain about predatory nature of them.The knowledge bank is a collection of
various information regarding cultivation of crops, pest and diseases and its management
practices as well as on-line resource for diagnosis and to identify pests. It contains simple
fact sheets which give specific practical advice on individual pests. Fact sheets were also
prepared in local languages for extension staff and farmers. A library was established for
this purpose at Plant Health Clinic. The library contains Magazines, Journals, Books, CDs,
DVDs, Fact sheets and Field cards of pests for reference.

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Agro Bio Pharmacy
An array of products ranging from tobacco decoction to pheromone traps and many
of the new generation products are displayed here at the clinic. Safe use of insecticides is
just one of the numerous tools of Integrated Pest Management recommended by
agricultural scientists to safeguard soil and human health. At this Agro pharmacy farmers
were able to get first hand information on various botanicals, bio control agents and new
generation pesticides so as to adopt safe to use agricultural practices.

Farmers, however, usually depend solely on chemical insecticides as they think that
this is the only practical control measure to obtain quick results. The Agro Bio pharmacy
offers organic and safe to use substitutes to toxic chemicals.

Capacity building on pest management and pest surveillance

Trainings were given on Ecological engineering in various crops and Paddy was
very effectively demonstrated in field with the technological support from NIPHM,
Hyderabad. Trainings on scientific and eco friendly pest and diseases management of
major crops such as Paddy, Vegetables, Banana etc were provided at Plant Health Clinic to
farmers utilising funds of ATMA, ATMA PLUS and Department schemes. The importance
and method of application of various biocontrol agents such as Pseudomonas,
Trichoderma, Azospirillum, Trichocards were popularised at Plant health Clinic. These bio
control agents were supplied at 50% subsidized price using the funds of LSGD and
department of agriculture schemes. Awareness campaigns on pest surveillance, eco-
friendly management practices, reduced use of pesticides, use of biocontrol agents, safe
and judicious use of pesticides including new generation pesticides were given to farmers
at Plant Health Clinic using various ATMA and Department of Agriculture schemes.
ATMA pest surveillance groups were established for the reporting of pest and diseases at
Plant Health Clinic. The groups were also collected specimens and insects for display at
Plant Health Clinic. Plant health camps were organised at Plant Health Clinic on every 4th
Saturday with the support from KVK, Pattambi.

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On farm Production units of bio control agents and botanicals
Training on On farm production of Pseudomonas and Trichoderma were initiated at
Plant health clinic using the technology from NIPHM, Hyderabad. Production units were
established in the field by the farmers. On farm production and use of various growth
promoters, bio pesticides, bio control agents, botanicals were demonstrated to farmers
under various schemes at Plant Health Clinic.

Conservation of natural enemies in Paddy Ecosystem

Major thrust was given to conservation of natural enemies in paddy ecosystem
thereby avoiding pesticides application. The pest surveillance and Farmers Filed Schools
were effective tools used at Plant Health Clinic for the conservation of natural enemies in
the field. The pest: defender ratio was better informed by framers through pest surveillance
and Farmers field schools. The ricker mounts of natural enemies were prepared and
exhibited at Plant Health Clinic so as to identify them by the farmers.

Farmer Field Schools

Farmers were effectively empowered through FFS based on Agro Ecosystem
Analysis (AESA) so as to promote environmentally sustainable plant health management
with the participation of farmers. An FFS was organised in Paddy crop during 2 nd crop
season at Kuruvai Padasekharam (Collective of paddy fields) with 18ha of area. The
outcome was non pesticide management in paddy with 30% increase in yield and a
reduction of 25% in cost of cultivation of paddy.

Promotion of nutrient management plan

The nutrient management plan based on soil test data was published for
VadakkencheryPanchayat by the Department. The nutrient management based on soil test
data is being popularised here. There is a rapid soil testing facility using soil testing kits at
Plant Health Clinic. During trainings the importance of application of soil ameliorants
were demonstrated to farmers at the clinic. Soil testing was also undertaken using the
Mobile Soil Testing facilities of the Department of Agriculture.

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Outcomes/Benefits accrued to farming community
Farmers from various part of the panchayat, block and districts visited Plant health
clinic for various queries and ecofriendly management practices were recommended to
them. The timely advisories through newspapers helped the farmers in taking up
prophylactic management measures at the earliest. The farmers were convinced about the
effectiveness of adoption of ecofriendly crop and pest management in crops. The
increasing shift towards safe to eat food products following the growing awareness about
the ill-effects of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has encouraged people to experiment
with cultivation and consumption of safe to eat food products. The farmers are now selling
their organic products under the brand name ―Safe to eat products‖ which gave them an
attractive price.

Comparative Analysis of the Scheme on Crop Health Management

Sl Deliverables from Plant Health Clinic Impact

No

Key result areas Before After

1 Bi-weekly plant Nil Biweekly advisories Forecasting of pest and
health advisories released through news diseases and pest alerts and
papers prophylactic control
measures helped to reduce
the use of toxic chemicals
2 Monthly Vila Nil Released 8 editions of Helped to get proper
NireekshanaPathrika Susthira and distributed technological advices to
(Pest News Bulletin) among 8000 farmers in farmers on time during
Alathur Block every month. Farmers were
―Susthira‖ able to get first hand
information on pest and
diseases in their areas and
how to control it using
ecofriendly management
aspects.
3 Field guides for Nil Field guide of pest and Effectively used in training
identification of pest diseases of Paddy, programmes to proper
and diseases Vegetables, Banana, Pepper identification of pest and
and natural enemies of diseases and natural
paddy were prepared enemies and to adopt
proper recommendations
based on diagnosis.

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4 Library Nil A library was established at Creation of knowledge
Plant Health Clinic with bank with all available
books, magazines, journals, information which can be
digital materials, leaf lets used by extension staff as
and other publications by well as farmers for the
various institutions. proper identification and
diagnosis of problems and
selection of remedial
measures.
5 Agro BioPharmacy Nil Information and display of Farmers are getting first
biocontrol agents, hand information on agro
botanicals and method of bio inputs and products and
preparation, traps, how to produce it and use it
pheromone traps, new in their fields for the better
generation pesticides etc adoption of technologies
based on the principles of
―seeing is believing‖
6 Live specimens and Nil Herbarium of affected plant First hand information on
insect zoo studies parts, live insects, ricker pests, their biology, life
mounts and insect zoo cycle , mode of attack,
studies behaviour for the better
understanding of pests
7 Awareness on plant Yes Now more effective Adoption of ecofriendly
health management awareness through plant and sustainable practices
health clinic and Reduction in use of
pesticides their by
reduction in cost of
cultivation and
sustainability in production
8 Trainings Yes Now more effective Improvement in
trainings with newer cultivation, increase in
technology from NIPHM, yield, and income of
Hyderabad farmers.
9 Farmer Field Yes Agro Eco System Analysis Critical analysis of the
Schools was gainfully employed field situation every week
during the Farmer Field helped the famers take
School to analyse field appropriate decision on
situations with regard to management
pests, defenders, soil practices.Reduction in pest
conditions, plant health, resurgence and
influence of climatic conservation of natural
factors and their enemies are other
interrelationships on paddy. outcomes their by
reduction in pesticide
usage.
10 Community Yes Now thrust was given to Farmer to farmer extension
empowerment empower farmer groups for can be possible. Rapid
better plant health spread of technologies
management among farmers.

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11 On farm production Nil With the help of technology Production of quality
of biocontrol agents from NIPHM, Hyderabad biocontrolagnets with very
onfarm production low rate and ensuring
technology of trichoderma availability to farmers.
and pseudomonas were
popularised

Conclusion
The plant health clinic can become an extension tool for providing quality services
through various activities at clinic level and at field level. The farmers are very much
convinced about the need of plant health clinic which provides them a sustainable solution
to their farming activities. The activities and outreach activities should be more
strengthened to extend the plant health clinic as a total solution to our plant health system.

5.5: Best Practice V:

Farmer Markets of Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council of Kerala

5.5.1: Introduction

VFPCK has conceived and implemented the concept of group marketing with broad
objective of equipping the SHG farmers to take better marketing decisions by improving
their skills and knowledge and by analyzing market situations. The council has taken all
efforts to make marketing system suitable and to be an economically viable and a socially
responsible venture.

The concept of group marketing is developed with the goal to ensure remunerative and
stable prices to the farmers in their respective areas. Marketing activities envisaged more
of independence and security to the farmers based on the group-marketing concept. It also
aims to develop their bargaining capacity by organizing them both at SHG and FC level.
Farmers pool the produce at a predetermined place and time through mutual co-operation.
The large volumes induce traders to visit the farmers at these sites. On the other hand the
farmers are in a better position to trade and negotiate with the traders in order to optimize
their returns. This process where in farmers collectively negotiate with the traders at a

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predetermined place and time is called group marketing. This place is now familiarly
called SWASRAYA KARSHAKA SAMITHI (FIELD CENTRE)

5.5.2: Advantages of farmer markets of VFPCK

 Bargaining power of the farmers will increase.

 Transparent weighment (weights and measures stamped)
 Prompt payment from traders with in the prescribed period.
 Reduce time spend by farmers in taking produce to markets and selling it.
 Better price realization for the produce.
 Intermediaries are avoided. Direct trading between farmers and traders.
 Clear-cut grading criteria.
 Reduce cost of marketing and transportation.
 Post-harvest handling losses are reduced to the minimum.

5.5.3: Activities of VFPCK farmer markets in brief

Under group marketing, 10-15 Self Help Groups (SHGs), numbering about 150-200
farmers, come together under the banner of Swasarya Karshaka Samithi (SKS), bulk and
trade their produce collectively. This helps the farmers to have a good volume thereby
being in a better position to negotiate with the wholesalers in order to 'optimise their
returns'. There are 3 stages in the formation of a market

In the initiation stage, the samithi starts off as an unregistered organisation. During
this period farmers bulk their produce at a central location and negotiate collectively with
traders. The SKS pass through this stage and attain a certain pre-fixed benchmarks then
the samithi is upgraded to implement various management systems. During this phase,
referred to as the stabilisation stage, the samithi secures a legal identity and is registered
under the Indian Societies Act (1860) / Travancore-Cochin Literary Cultural Scientific
Charitable Societies Act (1955). The next phase is a self-sustaining stage where the
samithi grows and improves upon its market and financial position to become a self-
sustaining organisation. The farmer markets in a district are networked to form a district
level farmer market apex body called Consortium.

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 There are 270 farmer markets functioning across the 14 districts of Kerala and an
additional 6 more new farmer markets will be initiated during this year. The farmer
markets have been instrumental in helping the farmers realize increased returns. During the
year 2014-15, the farmer markets undertook trading of fruits and vegetables worth Rs. 259
crores.

No. of SKS and Quantity

traded
300 157.8 196.9 230.5 259
164
200
221 241 254 262 270 No.of SKS
100

0 Value traded (in

2011 2012 crores)
2013 2014 2015

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 The activities of Markets are coordinated and headed by the president. There
are two stages in the formation of a market

 Stage I – Bulking point

 Stage II – Field center ( Swasrya Karshaka Samithy)

5.5.4: Market Management

Marketing master farmers of the SHG‘s join together to form a committee to manage
the field President and Treasurer. These elected master farmers will hold their positions as
per the centre. The committee members conduct Meeting to elect the President, Vice bye
law. The committee should elect governing members for the next term before the annual
general body meeting. The FC management team consists of the elected master farmers
from the committee and VFPCK officials. The no: of VFPCK officials should not be more
than three. The VFPCK officials do not have any voting rights and they are not eligible to
hold any positions like president, vice president and treasurer in the committee. The
management team can appoint a paid secretary to look after the day-to-day activities and
the FC management team should monitor him.

5.5.5: Other activities of farmer markets to support marketing of the produces

 Analysis of market volumes and price to help them take marketing decisions
(data collected through VFPCK Market Information Centre)
 Training for Marketing Master Farmers to help them negotiate with the traders,
post harvest handling and grading
 Trade linkages to ensure traders reach the other markets nearby
 Help for the markets to open a retail counter in the nearby towns
 Production Planning to grow produce when its price is likely to be highest and
 Management support through VFPCK field team in order to assist the samithis in
conflict management, marketing planning, office management etc.,
 Market Intervention supports
For providing remuneration price to grower during peak harvesting season
market Intervention support will be arranged to stabilise the price of fruits and
vegetables. VFPCK markets resort to distress sale when there is glut and have to
settle for un-remunerative prices. In this context VFPCK has established fruit

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 and vegetable retail outlets viz,― SASYA‖ By sourcing the produce from farmer
markets the benefits of better price realization can be passed down to the
farmers.

5.5.6: Salient achievements of VFPCK markets

 Total no of markets- 270
 Total quantity traded- 259 crores/year
 Total farmers benefitted- 125000
 No of markets with permanent land and building- 120
 No of markets where input supplying centres are working- 135
 No of Sasya retail markets attached to SKS - 130

5.6: Best practice VI

PROJECT ON SOIL BASED PLANT NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR

AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS OF KERALA – Soil Health Cards to District Nutrient

Management Plan

The Kerala State Planning Board had initiated a Project on ‗Soil based plant nutrient
management plan for agro-ecosystems of Kerala‘ in August 2010. The project was
implemented by the Department of Agriculture in association with various Central and
State government research institutes and the Kerala Agricultural University under the
leadership of National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS & LUP),
Bengaluru. Over 1.75 lakh soil samples had been collected from farmer‘s fields of around

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900 panchayats, municipalities and corporations, representing the major land use systems
covering all the agro-ecological zones of the State.

Soil analysis

Soil samples were analyzed for 13 parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, organic
carbon, available phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, copper, zinc,
boron, iron and manganese) with the support of 27 laboratories under the State and Central
government institutions. For standardization of soil analysis, a laboratory manual outlining
the procedures and protocols for sample collection and chemical analysis was issued to all
the participating labs.

The data sheet of 1,74,305 soil samples covering 13 parameters mentioned above
were thoroughly scrutinized for errors in chemical analysis/ data entry. Based on the
scrutiny, meetings were convened with the concerned scientists/project associates and
corrective measures suggested for quality checks in chemical analysis, data entry and
uploading of analytical data.

Development of software for generation of soil health cards

As part of the project, software for online data capturing, processing and generation
of soil health cards was developed by IIITM-K, Thiruvananthapuram. Three stages are
involved in the process. The initial process was to capture the relevant data (farmer, crop,
soil sample number and other details) through an online interface for all the 27
participating laboratories and generate a unique sample code and farmer ID. The basic
details of farmer with address, land and crop details are entered in the first stage. In the
second stage, soil analytical data (pH, EC, major, secondary and micro nutrients) are
entered and updated to the system. The captured data have been validated through a
systematic validation mechanism involving expert soil scientists and domain experts in the
project. In the final stage, the processed data have been passed into the data analysis
interpretation process to generate soil health cards for each crop to be distributed to the
farmers. The software can generate recommendations of lime and fertilizers containing
major, secondary and micro nutrients for all the crops cultivated in Kerala.

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 The entire processed data have been archived into a centralized environment in
district/block/panchayat/crop/laboratory wise for easy retrieval and access. A web portal
(www.keralasoilfertility.net) has also been developed for retrieval of data and access of soil
test results and fertilizer recommendations (soil health cards) by scientists, agricultural
officers and farmers through necessary authentication. The data have been used to prepare
nutrient management plans (NMP) for panchayat, block and district.

Generation of unique sample code and farmer ID is one of the key elements in the
system. The unique sample code is generated through a systematic approach by adopting a
combination of alpha numeric characters. It is structured by integrating a combination of 3
letter character of the district, taluk, panchayat and survey number of the plot, followed by
the serial number of the soil sample collected from the field. Based on the data entered in
the above sequence, the system dynamically generates a unique sample code for the
particular farmer. For example, in the farmer ID ‗ TVM/NYK/CKL/368/29-2/106587’ the
first three letters represents the district code, followed by the taluk, panchayat, survey
number of the plot and serial number of the soil sample. Farmers can access the soil health
cards by using the unique farmer code.

Soil Health Cards

Soil test based Health cards were generated using the software developed by IIITM-
K and issued to all the farmers through the District level Agricultural Officers. The soil
health cards provide detailed information on soil analysis data, soil fertility ratings and
recommendations for lime, organic manure and chemical fertilizers supplying major,
secondary and micro nutrients as per the Packages of Practices (2012), Kerala Agricultural
University.

Panchayat Level Nutrient Management Plan

Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) was prepared based on the soil analysis data from
each panchayat, municipality and corporation. The NMP provides information on the
general description of the area in respect of soil, landform, climate and crops cultivated. It
also provides the detailed soil test summaries and fertility ratings of major, secondary and
micro nutrients. Soil test based recommendations for lime, organic manure and chemical

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fertilizers supplying major, secondary and micro nutrients for major crops cultivated in the
local bodies are also detailed in the NMP. Guidelines for maximizing fertilizer use
efficiency are also suggested in the above document. The NMP provides useful guidelines
to field and extension personnel involved in agricultural development in the formulation of
meaningful nutrient management strategies to enhance crop performance and sustain soil
health. A total of 900 NMPs have been prepared for various panchayats /municipalities/
corporations and distributed to Krishi Bhavans.

Block level Nutrient Management Plan

The database generated for each panchayat in the Block formed the basis for the
preparation of the Block level Nutrient Management Plan (BNP). The soil analytical data
from all the panchayats of the Block has been used for the preparation of the BNP. This
document is prepared as a reference material for guiding the Block level Agricultural
Officers on crop based nutrient management strategies for the Block. The BNP is useful for
discussions at the farmer level, farm advisory committees, block level federated
organizations and farmer extension organizations on nutrient management. It will also be
helpful in computation of fertiliser requirement at the Block level, discussions with

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fertilizer dealers and in the preparation of advisories under Agriculture Technology
Management Agency (ATMA) and Crop Health Management programs. Out of the total
152 Block panchayats in the State, 88 Block level dataset on soil analysis are only
complete in Phase I and 60 BNPs have been released. The BNPs will be distributed to the
respective District and Block level Officers.

District level Nutrient Management Plan

The database generated for all the Blocks in the District formed the basis for the
preparation of the District level Nutrient Management Plan (DNP). The soil analytical data
from all the panchayats and Blocks of the District has been used for the preparation of the
DNP. This document is prepared as a reference material for guiding the District level
Agricultural Officers on crop based nutrient management strategies for the District.
Nutrient Management Plan for Wayanad, Kozhikode and Kasaragod District have been
released and will serve as guide lines to the Block/district level officers of the Agricultural
Department.

Poster format of NMP

Nutrient Management Plan in poster format (printed in Flex having size: 120 x 90
cm) for display in the Krishi Bhavans of the State has also been prepared. So far, 400
posters have been printed and dispatched to the concerned Assistant Director (Ag) for
display in the Krishi Bhavans.

Soil Fertility of Rice Eco-System

A book on ―Rice Eco-Systems of Kerala‘ is proposed to be released by the Kerala

State Planning Board. One of the chapters is on ‗Soils and Soil Health in Rice Eco-systems
of Kerala. This chapter has been prepared by utilizing the dataset from 18,500 soil samples
covering the major rice growing areas under different Agro-Ecological Units. The data
were extracted from the database of the above project.

Project- Phase II

During the first Phase of the project which concluded in December 2013, some of
panchayats from various districts could not be sampled due to some field level problems.
Considering the importance of the findings of the project in Phase I, it was decided to
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collect 21,000 soil samples in the second phase. Based on the soil test data of these
samples, Soil health cards will be distributed to the farmers. Panchayat level NMP
including posters and Block/District level nutrient management plan (BNP & DNP) will be
prepared for the entire State.

Key achievements of the project

 Analyzed 1.75 lakhs soil samples for macro, secondary and micro nutrients
 Prepared nutrient management plan (NMP) for 900 panchayats and preparation
under progress for the remaining panchayats
 Soil Health Cards issued to farmers
 Developed online data input and transfer linkages to soil testing laboratories and
Software for automated plant nutrient recommendations and generation of soil
health card
 Released ad hoc recommendations for micro-nutrients by Kerala Agricultural
University
 Developed a portal www.keralasoilfertility.net
 Printed NMP in a poster format for display in Krishi Bhavans
 Revised Laboratory Manual of Soil testing for the State soil testing laboratories
 Adoption of panchayats, two each in a district for popularizing soil testing and
demonstration of crop productivity improvement achievable through soil fertility
management
 Introduced soil fertility as part of Agriculture Technology Management Agency
(ATMA) Plus programme of extension activities
 Special soil testing component for vegetable and banana growing areas by
Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Kerala ( VFPCK)
 Micro-nutrient demonstrations in vegetables initiated in about 450 clusters
 Vegetable clusters were entrusted with campaign on soil testing so as to build
ownership of the project at panchayat level
 Human resource development and capacity building programmes initiated for
technical staff in soil testing labs under the Department of Agriculture
 Modernization of soil testing laboratories under Department of Agriculture is being
initiated

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  Scheme for Monitoring the Utilization of Soil health cards
 Book on ‗Soil fertility assessment and information management for enhancing crop
productivity in Kerala‘ (published in October, 2013)

A number of follow up initiatives are under implementation from 2014-15 onwards for
the implementation of the findings of the analysis. A comprehensive soil acidity
management programme, support for secondary nutrients, demonstration and assistance for
micro nutrients, awareness programmes for farmers and officers and capacity building
programmes are being implemented. The soil health card scheme has been expanded. The
modernization of soil testing labs is also under implementation.

5.7: Best Practice VII

Agro Service Centres and Service Delivery

Agro service centres (ASC) established at block level to facilitate integration of

services like mechanisation, ATMA based extension, credit support, weather advisory
services, soil testing support and other technology based services. In order to provide
full-fledged service to the farmers at a single point for various requirements of farmers
such as agricultural inputs, farms related information like credit, marketing etc. are brought
under a common service centre.. The agro service centres established at the block level in
the first phase is to support transfer of technology and service delivery. A mobile farm
clinic is also established at the block level to provide solution to the field problems
equipped with audio-visual and online support. The Agro service centres support the
ATMA activities service support on various aspects, construction of rain shelters, setting
up of micro irrigation units, production of planting materials, supply of bio inputs and
mechanization. The mobile farm clinic and agroservice centres established in the four
districts where LEADS is under implementation for convergence and improved service
delivery. The Farmers Service centers under the Cooperation Department was linked with
the agroservice centres for input delivery. The objective of the farmers service centers and
agro service centres are

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 1. Act as a nodal agency at Block level to co-ordinate agriculture services in all
Gramapanchayat within the block level to improve the agricultural productivity.

2. To manage the labour shortage problem faced in the agriculture sector of Kerala
by agro machinery operation services and making data bank of Agricultural labours to form
a ―Green Army‖ for helping the farmers.

3. To provide quality seeds, pesticides, manure, growing substrates and other

agricultural inputs.

4. Provide market intelligent services and help the famers to operate the
agricultural markets to sale their products.

5. Hiring farm machinery such as tractor, power tiller, sprayer etc to the farmers.

6. To undertake Farm machinery repair services, fabrication, procurement and

supply of spare parts services and manufacturing of equipment at block level.

7. To give training to the unemployed youths.

8. To improve farm clinical services by the provision of mobility equipped with

fertilizers for soil problem diagnosis, pest and disease management etc.

9. To work as an agency to provide the knowledge about Agricultural loans,

subsidy etc using information technology in co-ordination with the organisations like
NABARD, NCDC, State Horticultural Mission.

During 2012-13 to 2014-15, 49 Agro Service centres were established through

Agriculture Department and 60 Farmers Service Centres through Co-operative department
for improved service delivery to farmers.

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 Agro service centre in Koothuparambu Block

During 2012-13 to 2014-15, 49 Agro Service centres were established through

Agriculture Department and 60 Farmers Service Centres through Co-operative department
for improved service delivery to farmers.

5.8: Best practice VIII

EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE SERVICE DURING ODD HOURS AT

BLOCK LEVEL – 6 pm to 6 am

Working hours of the Veterinary hospital / dispensary is from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
Except the District Veterinary Centre; all the clinical institutions are functioning in a single
shift. During day time the service of a Veterinary doctor will be freely available for a dairy
farmer. But during night time if some emergency situation arises, the farmer will find it
very difficult to get the service of a qualified veterinary surgeon. They will be forced to get
the assistance of some quacks, there by destroying their valuable animals. The farmer will
even be forced even to quit the Animal Husbandry sector. Hence Veterinary support at odd
hour is a must. The project was initiated to provide emergency Veterinary care, during the
odd hours of a day, ie 6.00 pm to 6.00 am. The service is concentrated at Block level. The
farmer has to pay for the service.

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Facilities provided

A registered Veterinary practitioner is in charge of the Emergency Veterinary

Service Provider on contract basis at odd hours from 6PM to 6 AM.

The contract Veterinary doctor will function under the direct supervision of one
Senior Veterinary surgeon of that Block. He will work as per his direction and must report
all the activities undertaken in the odd hours. He has to send the client to the local
Veterinary surgeon of that Panchayat for follow up work if required. Daily and monthly
reports as to the requirement are to be submitted to the supervising officer.

Lifesaving and essential drugs will be provided by the department. The designated
Senior Veterinary Surgeon will issue medicines. The cell phone number is to be given to
all Veterinary institutions under the Block, milk societies, to Panchayat notice boards etc.
He should never switch off the phone especially in the odd hours when his service is
needed. The instruments and equipments required for the practice should be provided by
the contract veterinarian himself. He can charge Rs 100/ (Rupees One hundred only) per
visit from the farmer as incentive. No other amount should be collected from the farmer. In
case of death of ailing animal / outbreak of any contagious diseases it must be reported to
the local Government Veterinary officer immediately.

Functioning:

1. Area of service will be all the Panchayats of one block area. If the Government
Veterinary doctor of the neighboring area demands his service for a case, the
contract veterinarian is at liberty to render his service for that particular case without
hindrance to his jurisdiction duty.

2. The District Animal husbandry Officer will purchase essential and lifesaving drugs
for each block, as per the intend placed by the designated Senior Veterinary Surgeon
of the identified institution of the block. The medicines will be purchased from the
Neethi / Maveli/ other Government agencies/ or by observing SPR. The

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 Government Veterinary officer of the block will release the medicines to the
contract veterinarian.

Status of scheme

The scheme is being implemented in the State since from 2012-13 with identified
twenty Blocks where scope for dairying is more. During 2014-15 the service was extended
in 21 Blocks and 4 Corporations. Now in 2015-16 the number of Blocks under the scheme
will be 50 numbers.

Services provided
 A contract Veterinary surgeon is provided in the Block with provision for having
essential drugs to tackle major emergency conditions. The medicines are provided at
free of cost.
 The contract Veterinarian will be provided facility for communication and his
contact number will be made available at contact points like Veterinary institutions
of the Block, milk societies, Panchayats offices etc.
 The contract Veterinarian will have the support of an Attendant to tackle cases like
dystocia, uterine prolapse, and uterine torsion, to tackle surgical cases of emergent
nature.

5.9: Best practice in Fisheries IX

Artificial reef

As an age old practice, traditional fishermen know that any object immersed in the sea
can attract fishes and provide habitat to them. Based on that, traditional fishermen used to
dump coconut fronts fastened with rocks in to sea bottom to attracted fish closer to the
shore. In this background, concept of artificial reef was emerged. Artificial reefs that
established in the sea bed act as a fish congregating ground as it provide food and shelter to
the fish. It also help some of the fish groups to deposit their eggs on the reef, thus act as
breeding as well as nursery ground for them.

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 Artificial reefs are manmade objects placed in the sea to provide an artificial fish
habitat and thereby to attract, aggregate and regenerate fish resources. Reefs when properly
located and structured, not only concentrate fishes, but also increase the biological
productivity of the area. The reef material increases the surface area necessary for fish food
organisms. To revitalize the aquatic environment, the artificial reef can play a significant
role. Artificial reefs constructed on a large scale covering a vast area with scientifically
designed structures can increase fish production significantly by creating fertile ecosystem
in such areas.

Artificial reef can also act as a tool to enhance the fish productivity from inshore
waters which had been already disrupted due to unscientific interventions. In this view,
certain efforts were already been taken to install artificial reef made up of concrete
structures. The study on this structures using underwater camera revealed that it can
definitely enhance aquatic environment. It results in the enhancement of the fishery of high
quality fishes like Perches, Carangids, Rachycentron, Cephalopods, Lobsters, Rays, and
Skates etc. It directly provides livelihood for artisanal fishermen who involved in hook and
line fishing from a catamaran.

Artificial reef is based on eco-friendly technologies. Ecologically, a rich succession

of marine life as encrusting bio-foulers on the concrete substratum takes place.
Subsequently a succession of periphyton, fish fry, fingerlings and adult fish colonize in the
reef for shelter, feeding and breeding. As the reef ecosystem provides favorable habitat for
the young ones, adult fish take it as a protective site for breeding. Reefs are highly
productive ecosystem of great significance. This forms the breeding and nursery grounds
of a large number of commercially as well as ecologically important species of fin fishes,
shrimps, lobsters, crabs and molluscs. Reefs are the spawning and main feeding areas of
many fishes.

The artificial reef unit in each fishing villages is constructed by placing120

trapezoidal RCC modules and enrichment materials in the sea. The enrichment material
includes concrete rings, concrete pipes etc. The critical factor in the establishment of
artificial reef is its transportation and placement in to the sea. The modules will be placed
as 4-5 rows and the distance between each module will be 10-15 Meters.

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 Artificial reef that has already established off the coast of Southern part of
Thiruvananthapuram district became a good habitat for the fishes and other aquatic
organisms and enhanced the productivity of that area. Fishermen of these fishing villages
are getting benefitted of this as they are getting good catch. It has helped even the aged and
sick people, as they could do fishing in the near shore areas. It has played a major role in
the improvement of socio-economic status of the fishermen in these fishing villages. The
study revealed that artificial reefs can increase fish catches by 100%. Underwater camera
study revealed the presence of a good ecosystem with a variety of fish species in and
around the reef.

Underwater photograph of artificial reef established in the year 2012-13

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