Paddy Cultivation in Kerala: Trends in Area, Production, and Productivity

Agriculture, with a legacy spanning over 5,000 years, remains central to India’s economy, though its contribution to the national income has fallen below 15%, even as it supports nearly 60% of the workforce. This disparity underscores the persistent challenges of rural poverty, compounded by limited financial assistance, inadequate infrastructure, traditional farming practices, and the neglect of small and marginal farmers. In Kerala, paddy cultivation plays a vital role in food security and the agrarian economy. The focus of this paper is to examine the trends in the area, production, and productivity of paddy in Kerala over recent decades, using secondary data from government sources and research studies. Special attention is given to "decadal growth" trends, which measure the percentage change in these parameters over a 10-year period. Findings reveal a consistent decline in the area under paddy cultivation, driven by urbanization, land conversion, and labour shortages. The present study also emphasises the need for targeted interventions such as collective farming, expanded irrigation, and better support for farmers to ensure sustainable growth in paddy cultivation and address challenges like water scarcity and declining soil fertility