In 10 years Kerala’s paddy cultivation will disappear, P C Balakrishnan, associate director, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kasargod, kerala describes kerala’s cultivation situation.
Rise in tourism industry, real estate development and labour migration to gulf countries are taking its toll on agriculture in Kerala. Adding to the shift is the declining area under cultivation in the state.
Sustained loss in agricultural output in Kerala is not due to natural causes, it is rather the result of a curious mix of socio-economic factors. The rise in attractive alternative opportunities is the main reason behind this decline. Agriculture is becoming unprofitable for people because of good alternative means of income.
“Migration to Persian Gulf countries of Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is one of the most attractive alternative opportunities,” says K V Peter, vice-chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University.
Census data from 1991 and 2001 confirms this migratory trend from agriculture.
Cash crops are unaffected by this.
Source: Four of the state’s districts Kasargod, Kollam, Thrissur and Alappuzha are among India’s worst performers in agricultural output growth