Fueling the Future: Government Push for High-Tech Greenhouse Farming in Kerala

This study analyses the distribution of government subsidies for high-tech greenhouse vegetable farming in Kerala from 2009–10 to 2019–20. A total of ₹26.4 crore was disbursed, with significant regional disparities—Wayanad received the highest share, while Idukki, despite having the most farms, ranked fourth due to the dominance of smaller units. Subsidy levels rose sharply in the early years, peaking at ₹856 per sq m in 2018–19, followed by a decline that coincided with reduced farm expansion. A notable negative correlation between farm size and subsidy per sq m was observed, influenced by high support for small-scale units under the Vegetable Development Programme (VDP). ANOVA results confirmed that greenhouse size significantly affects the subsidy received, with medium-sized farms benefiting the most. The findings highlight the importance of equitable and well-targeted subsidy policies to support sustained growth in high-tech agriculture.