March 22: A state government sample survey conducted to estimate paddy production during 1997-98 indicates that there has been a decline both in terms of area under cultivation as well as production in all districts of Kerala compared to the previous year.The survey shows an overall decline of 11.68 per cent in area under cultivation and 14.22 per cent in production. The mean yield was 3,008 kg per hectare while the area under cultivation was 1,14,743 hectares. The production estimate is 2,85,228 tonnes, according to the survey conducted by the state economics and statistics department.
During the 1996-97 autumn, the mean yield for all the districts was 3,089 kg, and area under production was 1,63,893 and total production 3,32,643 tonnes based on a sample survey in 14 districts. The survey also looks at other crops, including rubber, coconut, pepper, buts this is done on a yearly basis. The data for paddy cultivation buttress the oft-repeated argument that rice cultivation is unviable in Kerala. The rateof growth of agricultural income during 1994-95 was marginally down by 0.10 per cent and its percentage contribution to state income was 29.95 per cent as against 31.42 per cent the previous year. Agricultural income in 1993-94 was Rs 1,937.08 crore at 1981 prices, which declined to Rs 1,935.14 crore during 1994-95.
Of the gross cropped area of 30.42 lakh hectares in 1994-95, food crops consisting of rice, pulses, minor millets and tapioca occupy only 22 per cent. Kerala, which had a very low base in agricultural production due to the low proportion of cultivable area being devoted to these crops, is now facing serious challenges in retaining even this meagre area.
The area under rice, which was 5.37 lakh hectares in 1992-93, came down to 5.08 lakh ha in 1993-94 and further to 5.03 lakh ha in 1994-95. Productivity in rice and tapioca has also declined during the past few years.
On the contrary, non-food grain crops, comprising the plantation sector and other commercial crops, present a rising trendboth in productivity, cultivated area and production -- just the reverse of food crops. For example, the productivity of rubber had risen from 830 kg/ha in 1992-93 to 934 kg/ha in 1993-94 and further to 999 kg/ha in 1994-95.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
