Page 72 - economic review

AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS44

has increased to 41.96 per cent in 2000-01. Although it declined to 37.19 per cent in the start of
the next decade, it was made good by 2011-12 to 40.24 per cent .This could be because part of
the paddy fields were reclaimed and planted with coconut during the period. The production also
increased concomitant to increase in the area during this period. From 3220 million nuts in 1960-61,
the production increased to 5536 million nuts in 2000-01. After that the production plateaued and was
more or less stagnant in the next decade. Thus the increase in output is more on account of increase
in acreage as the productivity of the crop is very low in the state. In 2013-14, there was a marginal
increase in the production from 5799 million nuts in 2012-13 to 5921 million nuts. Area, production
and productivity of coconut in Kerala as well as India are given in Appendix 2.8.

2.16 The main cause for falling productivity is the prevalence of root wilt disease, poor management
and existence of senile and unproductive palms. Hence massive replanting of root wilt palms by
elite palms and elimination of senile palms, setting up of nurseries for production of quality seedlings
and their subsequent distribution is required for increasing productivity. Restructuring of the cluster
development programme is also essential for more effectiveness. The attempt made by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture and Cooperation to restructure two coconut development programmes through
convergence approach at the panchayath level during 2014-15 coupled with price advantage is
expected to revive coconut production in the state. The isolated attempts of production of dwarf
coconut seedlings and hybrids need to be scaled up substantially with the support of Research and
Development institutions. Entrepreneurial ventures for the production of value added products like
desiccated coconut, beverages, shell based products, coconut cream, neera etc has to be promoted
with appropriate tie up with credit and marketing agencies. The coconut procurement system through
Krishi Bhavans in association with Kerafed was introduced in 2012-13. The initiative taken by Govt.
in promoting neera in 2013-14 is expected to revive coconut economy of the state.

Pepper

2.17 Pepper production in the country recorded a decline from 55 thousand tonnes in 2012-13
to 45 thousand tonnes in 2013-14 It is reportedly due to a prolonged monsoon session resulting
in adverse crop production. Concomitantly, pepper production recorded a decline in Kerala , from
46298 MT to 29408 MT in 2013-14. Fallling productivity could be the reason for falling output as
there has not been much decline in the area under cultivation.

2.18 There has been a rally in pepper prices since 2012 with price realization being a record high
` 609.70 per kg in January-June 2014 compared to ` 370.33 per kg in the corresponding period in
the previous year.

2.19 This stagnant nature of pepper production in recent years is mainly due to low productivity and
disease affected pepper gardens. In order to revive spices development in the state, the department of
Agriculture has initiated comprehensive pepper development in Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode,
Kannur and Kasargod districts. An integrated action plan needs to be prepared for the revival of
the crop in the State, covering reorientation of planting material production, expansion of grafting
wherever possible, area wide disease management, living and nutrients management and revival of
pepper samithies.

Cashew

2.20 India continued to be the largest producer of raw cashew nuts in the world. The other main
producing countries are Vietnam , Brazil, Tanzania and Ivory Coast. The production of raw cashew
nuts increased from 728 thousand MT in 2012-13 to 736 thousand MT in 2013-14. The area under
cashew cultivation also recorded an increase from 982 thousand hectares to 1006 thousand hectares
in the respective years.

Kerala State Planning Board