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2.13 District wise area under rice cultivation shows that area under rice has fallen irrespectively for AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS
all the districts of the state in the period 1996-97 to 2012-13. However, the decline has been sharpest
for Kollam (93%) followed by Ernakulam (92%), Thiruvanathapuram,(86%) and Malapuram (78%).
On the positive side, in Kottyam and Alapuzha, the major rice growing districts the decline has been
much less(13 and 12 per cent respectively). Contrary to previous year when majority of the districts
recorded a decline in rice growing area ( except Thrissur, Wayanad, Kannur and Kozhikode), in
2013-14, majority of them have recorded an increase in area under rice cultivation. Ernakulam which
showed sharpest decline of 49 per cent in 2012-13, recorded an increase of 2.8 per cent in area and
6 per cent in production. However, the districts which showed an increase in area in 2012-13 have
showed a decline in area and production in 2013-14 (ie; Thrisssur, Kannur and Kozhikode). Idukki
has shown the sharpest decline in the area as well as production in 2013-14 to the tune of 43.5 and
43.7 per cent respectively. (details as given in Appendix 2.6 & 2.7).

Fig 2.4
Percentage change in area and production of rice in major districts of

Kerala during 2013-14 over 2012-13

Percentage

-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30

Thiruvananthapuram
Kollam

Pathanamthitta
Alappuzha
Kottayam
Idukki
Ernakulam
Thrissur
Palakkad

Malappuram
Kozhikode
Wayanad
Kannur
Kasaragod

Area Production

2.14 The decline in area indicates that area under paddy has been increasingly converted into other
crops as well as for non agricultural purposes. This is mainly due to low profitability as a result of
increasing costs (caused by rising cost of human labour as well as seasonal shortage of labour as
well as relative price change in favour of competing crops. Inspite of focussed intervention through
state plan and RKVY along with enhancing per hectare assistance from Rs.1500 to Rs.4500 in 12th
plan and introduction of procurement in all districts, rice production is not responding positively.

Coconut

2.15 Although one of its principal crops Kerala’s share in area as well as production of coconut in
the country is declining over time While it accounted for 69.58 per cent of the area and 69.52 per
cent of the production in the country in 1960-61, the corresponding shares declined to 40.2 per cent
and 42.12 per cent respectively in 2011-12. However the area and production of coconut in the state
has been increasing. From 29.88 per cent of the Net Sown Area in 1980-81 the share of coconut

Economic Review 2014