LAKSHADWEEP FOR FEEDBACK ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY FOR FARMERS AT
5. Issues specific to major crops 1 Coconut
i) Coconut was sown in homesteads and covers a huge dispersed area unlike rubber which was done in compact area.
ii) Considering the number of people dependent on it for their livelihoods the investment was very low.
iii) Problem of root wilt disease prevalent in 5 major districts in southern Kerala with no cure.
iv) Replanting programme was very important. There was a provision of replanting under the National Horticulture Mission for horticultural crops. Even for rubber there was provision for replanting. There should be provision for replanting of Coconut under Technology Mission or Coconut Board.
v) Most of the coconut was unirrigated.
vi) Coconut Board has no mandate for research and no field units.
vii) Coconut Board should be under Commerce Ministry.
viii) Assistance required for replanting, irrigation and processing of coconut.
ix) Ministry of Agriculture was going to give assistance for micro irrigation with 50% subsidy.
x) Assistance required for replanting had to be of a high magnitude since the coconut tree had a 7 year gestation period.
xi) Innovative diversified products like ‘Nira’ have been launched.
xii) Amendment in excise rules of States was required, since at present a farmer could tap only 5 trees. For processing Nira more inputs were needed and a catchment area of 250 plants was required for setting up a processing plant.
xiii) FTA with ASEAN would pose a threat as they were cost effective competitors and so far the domestic sector was protected with a high tariff wall with 100%
tariff on imported coconut. Coconut should be in ‘Sensitive list’.
xiv) It is in sensitive list under SAFTA but coconut is also coming from illegal means and hurting our farmers.
xv) With the help of Coconut Technology Mission processing units and tender coconut project had been initiated and cluster approach was being adapted for assistance under the Mission.
xvi) 45% duty was imposed on imported soyabean oil. Given its importance to the Kerala Economy coconut should be declared as ‘protected oil’. For this, even 45% duty rate was not enough.
xvii) Coir, rubber were not considered as agricultural commodity in WTO.
xviii) Coconut oil was a canalized item for import through STC. Under Advance Licensing Scheme (ALS) it had to be re-exported but no time limit was specified and there was a sudden spurt in import of coconut oil.
xix) Due to multifarious problem faced, Coconut plantations were being converted to rubber plantations. Coconut cultivation should be subsidized.
5.2 Pepper
i) Farmers in the State should be consulted before agreeing to FTAs and import tariff.
ii) Ministry of Commerce were signing all FTAs without consulting Agriculture Department of States.
iii) Industry was paying premium to Sri Lanka pepper.
iv) Quality of Vietnamese pepper was poor.
v) For pepper we have to change our support for better revenue.
vi) Illegal smuggling of areca nut, cardamom, pepper should be controlled.
vii) Central Government aid should be given to the State Governments to promote our agricultural commodities by branding each produce like ‘Kerala black Pepper’. This would help the farming community to fetch higher price in domestic and international markets.
viii) Under SAFTA Agreement, countries had violated rules of origin and imported pepper from Vietnam and re-exported it to Kerala. The mixing of this low
quality pepper with world famous Kerala pepper was bringing bad name to Indian pepper.
5.3 Rubber
i) Rubber should be re-defined as agricultural product due to influx of cheap import.
ii) Certification of wood products by Forest Stewardship Council for export was necessary. Rubberwood must be included for that purpose.
iii) Rubber producers society may be exempted from Value Added Tax as they were self help groups.
iv) Subsidies for planting as well as replanting should be same.
5.4 Cardamom and Ginger
i) Traditional export like ginger cardamom were facing stiff competition. These crops may perish if the interests of the farmers are not safeguarded with the help of research and price support.
ii) Cardamom was cultivated in forest areas of Idukki by small growers. Small growers affected by the Indian Forest Act should be protected with a package.
5.5 Vanilla
i) Crash in prices of vanillin had ruined the vanilla farmers. The import of synthetic vanillin should be banned.
5.6 Paddy
i) In Kuttanad area, due to the fall of price of paddy, crop failure for the last three seasons also created a crisis like situation. Specific importance should be given to this region.
ii) The Government should fix floor price of agricultural products like, paddy coconut etc. and procure the product from the farmers without middlemen. The produce may be sold through Public Distribution System (PDS). The Kerala
model of procuring paddy by the State Supplies Corporation @ Rs.700/- per quintal during the previous panja season could be adopted.
5.7 Pineapple
Pineapple was grown as intercrop in rubber replantation areas. Pineapple was also grown as intercrop in coconut. It was highly labour intensive and high wages were paid to pineapple farm labourers. Proper recognition was not given to pineapple farming still its area and production was increasing. If pineapple intercropping is expanded in coconut root wilt areas it will partially compensate the loss of coconut farmers.
Suggestion for development of pineapple cultivation include: -
i) Trucks and rail wagon with cooling facilities should be provided.
ii) Indirect benefit like interest free loan, low cost input should be provided.
iii) Legal sanctity for contract farming should be ensured.
iv) Facility for product diversification and promotion of alternative fruit should be provided.
v) Low cost machine for land preparation should be designed.
vi) Coir Geo textile were useful in soil conservation and weed control, make it cost effective and modify its design.
vii) Liberal facility for pest and disease management, quality control of input be given.
viii) Pineapple Centre should be established with facilities for market information, e- commerce, training and processing and recreation.
ix) Pineapple Board should be established.
x) Lab was required to test agricultural inputs on payment basis.
xi) Inadequate credit and insurance facility was a constraint. Security asked by the Cooperative banks was very high.