Growth And Economy Of Plantation Sector: Distressed Days, Hopeful Ways (An Analysis Of Crisis In The Plantation Sector And The Policy Approach Of The Government)

All plantation crops have historically contributed to add value and be appropriated in the home market, promoting the expansion and growth of the country's regional economies. The market integration policies implemented in the context of globalisation have caused a serious crisis in the plantation sector, which will have long-term effects on the production and trade of commodities as well as the livelihoods of millions of small and marginal producers and workers who depend on these sectors. Since Kerala has a predominate presence of these plantation crops, notwithstanding variances in their relative significance at the national level, it appears that Kerala is more severely affected by the crisis hitting the plantation industries than other states. Some Indicators of the crisis include, (a) high volatility and persistence of low commodity prices; (b) decline in production, productivity, and net gains from plantation business income; (c) rising costs of production and management of plantations along with a growing labour shortage; (d) declining investments for crop renewal or rejuvenation; (e) removal of trade barriers and/or tariff (quota) restrictions; and (f) unfavourable climatic effects. The combined effect of all these causes has almost brought the state's plantation industry to a stop, destabilising the economy and the way of life of the communities that depend on it . It was discovered that no significant research had been conducted previously to evaluate the effects of this crisis on the living circumstances of plantation workers. A study on the effects of the current tea industry crisis on Kerala's plantation workers is an important investigation that must be done in this situation.