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AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS Crop Health Management

2.53 A new approach on Crop Health management was initiated during 2013-14 to bring together
management towards sustainable ecosystems and people’s health through good plant protection
practices(GPPP). Development of pests and disease surveillance system, implementation of
area wide integrated pests management demonstration, establishment of plant health clinics and
biocontrol labs, development of parasite breeding stations etc are the major components of the
scheme. Under the scheme during 2013-14, initiated the establishment of pests surveillance units in
271 Panchayaths belonging to 13 districts for pests and disease surveillance and advisory services
for 5 crops, establishment of plant health clinics at Panchayath level in 23 Krishi Bhavans also
initiated. Conducted 1266 awareness campaigns and workshops including rodent control campaign.
District Diagnostic team was constituted as part of the project. A PG Diploma programme on plant
health management has been initiated for the technical officers of the department in collaboration
with the National Institue of Plant Health Management, Hyderabad. District level as well as plant
clinic level pest news bulletin were also published on monthly and fortnightly basis.

Other details pertaining to this sector are given in Appendix 2.3, 2.15, 2.16, 2.18,2.20 and 2.21.

Section 2
Livestock Development

2.54 Livestock is an integral part of India’s agricultural economy and plays a multifaceted role in
providing livelihood support to the rural population. Livestock sector apart form contributing to
national economy in general and to agricultural economy in particular, also provides employment
generation opportunities, asset creation, coping mechanism against crop failure and social and
financial security. Livestock is the main source of animal protein for the population. It is estimated
that about 70 million rurual households own livestock of one species or the other. Women constitute
about 69% of workforce engaged in livestock of one species or the other. The resource -poor
small and marginal farmers and landless labourers own majority of the livestock resources. Hence
sustainable development of the livestock sector would lead to more inclusive development and
empowerment of women.

Production of major livestock products

2.55 Total milk production in the state which was 24.20 lakh tonnes in 2003 declined to 21.11 lakh
tonnes in 2004 and increased to 27.91 lakh tones in 2012-13 and declined slightly to 27.86 lakh
tonnes in 2013-14. At the same time, over the period, at national level the milk production has been
continuously increasing. 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 growth rate
of milk production at National level was estimated at 6% during 2013-14 while the state showed a
declining trend -0.18 per cent during the period.

Table 2.3
Average Annual Growth Rate of Milk Production (%)

Sl. No. Year Kerala India
1 2002-03 to 2006-07(Xth Plan Period) -4.64 3.99
2 2007-08 to 2011-12(XI Plan Period) 5.11 4.40
3 2012-13 2.76 3.54
4 2013-14 -0.18
6

Kerala State Planning Board