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2.35 Meanwhile in Kerala, cardamom production has increased 36 per cent despite a decline in area AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS
of 4.5 per cent .

Collective farming through Kudumbashree

2.36 Collective farming is an important area of Kudumbasree which aims at food security both
at household and community level. The major crops cultivated are paddy, vegetables, banana,
pineapple and tubers. In 2013-14 area brought under cultivation of paddy was 15078.60 ha,
vegetables contributed to 12555.60 ha and 22476.20 ha of area was covered by other crops (banana,
pineapple and tubers). Details of area covered are depicted in Appendix 2.17. More hand holding
support including facilitation with banks and technology support are essential for improving livelihood
of the women groups involved in farming.

International Year of Soils

2.37 UN has declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils .The current rate of soil degradation
threatens the capacity to meet the needs of future generations. The promotion of Sustainable soil
and land management is central to ensuring a productive food systems, improved livelihoods and
healthy environment. Soil is a non renewable resource ,its preservation is essential for food security
and our sustainable future. The key objectives and key activities proposed in the international year
are shown in Box 2.1 below.

Box No: 2.1
International Year of Soils –Healthy Soil for Healthy Life

Key Objectives:

• To create full awareness of all stakeholders about the fundamental role of soils in human
life.

• To achieve full recognition of the prominent contributions of soils for food security and nutri-
tion, climate change adaptations, effectual ecosystems services

• To promote effective policies and actions for the sustainable management and protection
of soil resources

• To sensitize decision makers about the need for robust investment in sustainable soil man-
agement activities to ensure healthy soils

• To advocate rapid enhancement of capacities and systems for soil information collection
and maintaining at all levels

Key activities proposed

• Mainstreaming soil issues into various events
• Winter/Summer schools to deal with different and regionally specific aspects of soils
• Regional demonstrations /workshops of suitable soil conservation practices in degraded
• areas.
• Regional pilots for restoration of degraded soils
• Compost trials in public places to demonstrate the importance of soil organic matter and

the use of residues
• Farmer field schools on soil health management
• Demonstration , campaigns, conferences, exhibitions release of postage stamps
• Production of movie on soil management
• Promotion of simple kits for assessing the status of soils to be used by farmers
• Initiation of soil doctors programme

Source: FAO 2014

Economic Review 2014