Kerala Agriculture

Kerala is pre-eminently an agricultural country. The meteorological conditions created by the monsoons and the geological changes of comparatively recent periods have been responsible for imparting peculiar characteristics to Kerala's agriculture. Naturally therefore the conditions of agriculture in Kerala are different from those obtaining in the neighbouring states. The undulating plains, irregular hilly ranges, fertile valleys and navigable rivers have contributed largely to the agricultural development of the state. The high altitude and the distinctively temperate climate which the high ranges enjoy and the low level of the coastal regions here made it possible for Kerala to grow in abundance the crops of both the tropical and temperate regions.
A feature characteristic of the agriculture of the Malabar coast, is the residence of the proprietors and tenants on the land itself. The ryots are mostly peasant proprietors who hold their lands permanently and on definite terms. They have thus every possible inducement to improve their little possessions. Some of the most important crops of Kerala are perennial in character such as the coconut, the are-canut, the jack and the mango tree, the produce of which can be secured only if the ryots live on the land. The permanency of the indigenous crops and the limited area of paddy land available have encouraged garden cultivation. The desire to maintain exclusive possession, induces the ryot to fence his holdings properly.

Nature is kind to the Kerala agriculturist. The South-West and North-East Monsoons visit the state with near regularity. The ryots are most or less dependent on rainfalls for their agricultural operations. The abundance of rainfall helps the cultivation of root crops throughout the state. The special feature of Kerala agriculture is the cultivation of the Kuttanad punja. The land here is subject to inundation by the waters of Kerala rivers that flow through this region and the soil is enriched annually by the flooded rivers depositing large silt and organic manure. Paddy is grown once every year after bailing out the water. The plantation cultivation in the High Ranges, especially cardamon, coffee, tea and rubber is also a prominent characteristic of Kerala agriculture. The varieties of fruits grown throughout the state have attracted the attention of visitors. This can also be another peculiarity of Kerala.

The light incidence of taxation both on land and on trees, in a large measure has been responsible for the encouragement of agriculture, especially garden cultivation. The government have always been following a systematic policy of encouraging cultivation of all available land.

The cultivated crops of Kerala may be classified as under (1) wet, (2) dry, (3) garden and (4) plantation. Wet lands are those on which crops can be cultivated only with the help of a steady and copious supply of irrigated water throughout the period of their growth. Paddy is the only wet crop grown in the state. Cultivation depends solely on rainfall in dry crops. The majority of Kerala crops are cultivated as dry crops. Ordinary garden products are raised in the garden lands where cultivation is done in the same manner as in the dry hills. There are big estates in the High Ranges where tea, coffee, cardamom etc. are cultivated on a large scale. These plantation also depend for their crops solely on rainfall.

SOIL
The soils of Kerala vary in their nature according to the diversity of their situation. The soil of the elevated land reposes on a bed of laterite. The more elevate parts are somewhat barren producing only coarse grass and a few meagre shrubs. But their sides and bases are very fertile and support a luxuriant vegetation. The soil of the lower parts of the valleys consists of a brownish coloured clay of some depth, but of great variation, at some places a vegetable loamy mixture washed from the neighbouring uplands, porous, permeable and readily yielding to the plough, at others a stiff clay requiring some exertion to turn it. The soil of the coast is fine sand with a mixture of clay at the lower stratum combined with vegetable matter. The uplands during the rains display some strength of vegetation but are comparatively barren for nearly half of the year.
On the whole, the soils of Kerala are not very poor though not very rich. The general return of the best lands does not exceed twenty fold. The luxuriant growth of coconut plantations all along the coast is to be attributed to the underground current of subsoil water rich in minerals and other organic manure.

RAINFALL
The agro-climatic features of Kerala are generally favourable for a high level of land use and an intensive agriculture. As indicated earlier, it has the advantage of both South-West and North-East Monsoon. Though the normal rainfall received by the state is fairly high, its spread and intensity have shown wide variation in recent years. These two aspects are critically important in moulding the agricultural fortunes of the state. Against a normal rainfall of 3065 m.m. per annum the rainfall received during 1989 was 2642 m.m. Though quantum-wise, it was marginally less than that of the previous year (2653 m.m.), quality-wise it was superior in view of its better spread, particularly the North-East Monsoon. Still the consistent aberrations in the behaviour of monsoons set in during 1980-81 continue to persist. The summer showers are deficient by 30 per cent, while South West and North East Monsoons are deficient by 9 and 18 per cent respectively. In special distribution also, it reveals a disparate picture recording the highest (3731 m.m.) in the Idukki district and lowest (1776 m.m.) in the Trivan-drum district. The average annual rainfall in the districts of Kasaragode, Cannanore, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam and Quilon were much above the state average. The trend of rainfall during the last 10 years reveals that the departure of rainfall from its normal pattern in terms of intensity and spread has become more or less a perennial feature in Kerala. Tables 4.1 and 4.2 show the current trend.
LAND USE PATTERN
The cropping intensity during 1987-88 has recorded an increase of more than 1 per cent over the previous year. This is mainly because of the increase of 3.77 per cent under additional cropping. The net cropped area also increased marginally (4538 ha.) during the year. But a decrease in area under barren and uncultivable land (-9852 ha.) permanent pasture and grazing land (-662 ha.), land under miscellaneous tree crops (-6008 ha), and cultivable waste (-14240 ha.) during the year did not appear to have helped a corresponding increase in net cropped area. Instead, the reduction in area under these categories has largely been accounted for by the increase in land put to non-agricultural uses (+21785 ha.) The area under current fallows (+3347 ha.) and fallows other than current fallows (+1052 ha.) also increased. The overall land utilisation pattern shows that 56.91 per cent of the geographical area in the State is devoted for crop production, while 27.83 per cent is for forests and 7.33 per cent for non-agricultural uses. See Table 4.3.
The proportion of land under the categories barren and uncultivable land (1.87 per cent), cultivable wastes (2.97 per cent), fallow other than current fallow (0.74 per cent) and current fallow (1.23 per cent) are insignificant individually, but they together account for over 2.64 lakh ha. However the land utilisation pattern of 1988-89 is likely to improve further on account of the better weather conditions which prevailed during the year.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
The production performance during 1988-89 shows that the crop sector is on the path of revival from the ill-effects of recurrent droughts which persisted continuously over the last few years. Coconut and Pepper are the two crops which suffered considerable loss on account of drought. Both these crops have staged spectacular recovery during 1988-89. Improved weather conditions paved the way for increase in the area under cultivation in respect of the crops of Coconut and Pepper by 91102 ha. and 18477 ha. respectively. Such a trend was seen in the case of area under crops like arecanut, ginger, and sesamum. However, the trend in the area under food •crops is one of decline, which continues to persist despite favourable weather conditions. Rice, the principal food crop of the state has lost 26,525 ha. of area during the year. Others which have suffered considerable losses in area include Tapioca (-14157 ha.) Cardamom (-5250 ha.) Cashewnut (-1946 ha.) and Groundnut (-4087 ha.).
The productivity of crops in general were encouraging. Almost all the major crops recorded positive growth
in productivity during the year, They include rice (1.52%) pulses (1.10%), Sugarcane (1.3%), turmeric (1.88%), cardamom (12.5%) cashewnut (23.43%), coconut (2.73%) tea (16.87%) and coffee (106.87%). But the productivity of spices in general have declined. Pepper, the major spice crop, suffered the biggest loss (-19.37%) followed by ginger (-9.71%). Tapioca and groundnut are the two major crops which showed declining trend both in area coverage and productivity.
With regard to production, the overall performance has been encouraging with a number of crops like pulses (5.72%), Sugarcane (4.35%) Turmeric (5.70%) Cardamom (2.82%), Betelnut (2.12%), Cashewnut (21.35%), Coconut (14.79%), Tea (26.50%) Coffee (106.87%) and Rubber (9.58%) showing improved performance. In the case of Rice though there was improvement in productivity this did not help increasing the total production owing to the decline in area. Consequently the production declined by 2.92 per cent. Tapioca and groundnut also suffered large decline in production on account of decrease in both area and productivity. These crops recorded negative growth rates of 13.42 and 65.85 per cent respectively. The other important crop which showed decrease in production during the year was pepper (-9.2%).

OVERALL TREND IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT
CATEGORIES OF CROPS

Category-wise indices of area, pro-duction and productivity of major crops for the last ten years are given in Table 4.5. The crop sector in general reveals a declining trend in production during the last decade with the index numbers recording a steep fall from 100.17 to 80.61. Despite marginal increase of the index on area under crops from 101,48 to 103.62, the overall production level could not be sustained because of the sharp continuous fall in productivity index from 98.71 to 77.72. The drop in the overall productivity index need not necessarily be due to the decrease in productivity of the crops perse, but may also be due to shift in cropping pattern, from high volume low value crops to low volume high value crops. Such an observation is more relevant in Kerala where the cropping pattern has shown a definite shift in favour of high value crops like Coconut, Rubber etc. from traditional subsistence crops like Rice, Tapioca etc. This is evident from the changing trend in area under foodgrains as well as nonfood grains, as revealed by their respective index numbers. The index on area under food crops plummetted from 102.55 to 71.54 while the corresponding index for non-food grains shot up from 101 to 118.39.
The productivity on the other hand shows a different picture. The food grains as a group gained substantially in productivity during the last one decade by 13%, while the non-goodgrains as a group suffered steep fall by 31%.
On production front, index of both food crops as well as on-food crops presents a declining trend though for different contributing factors. The index number of goodgrains production declined from 98.67 to 78.46 while that of non-goodgrains from 100.52 to 81.08.
On analysing the performances category-wise, it could be seen that the non-good grain crops in general recorded steady increase in area with the only exception of fruits and vegetables. In the case of fruits and vegetables also the negative growth in area as revealed by the index number (from 103.20 to 80.96) is due to the wrong inclusion of Tapioca under this category which is a food crop. The drastic reduction in area accounting for more than 1.2 lakh ha. under Tapioca has not only contributed for the dip in production index of non-food grains crops but also in concealing the increase in area under other crops grouped in this category of crops. Plantation crops recorded the maximum growth in area (54 points) followed by condiments and spices (28 points). Oil seeds represented (26 points) and drugs and narcotics (14 points). On the production front such impressive performance is visible only in respect of a few categories, namely plantation crops (66 points) oil seeds (19 points) condiments and spices (29 points) and miscellaneous crops (24 points). The productivities of non-food crops in general are either stagnant or on the decline with the" only ex--ception of plantation crops. Even in the case of plantation crops, the growth in productivity (9 points) is only marginal when compared to the high degree of expansion in area achieved in the past. The productivity levels of many of these cash crops are. very low compared to their potential. Though the increasing trend in are under cash crops definitely reflected a high degree of commercialization in Kerala agriculture, it failed to get manifested by way of increased production because of low productivity due to poor management.

Major Crops
(a) Rice : Despite favourable weather conditions, rice production continued its declining trend indicating thereby that factors other than weather are responsible for the poor showing. The production fell from 10.32 lakh tonnes to 10.02 lakh tonnes. In the Virippu season of 1988 also the production of rice continued to be deficient (-40000 tonnes). It is contributed both by decline in area (-7273 .ha.) as well as productivity (-95 kg). However the production improved marginally during Mundakan (3867 tonnes) and punja seasons (5975 tonnes). Though the area under Mundakan crop declined considerably (-19740 ha.) the impressive increase in productivity (130 kg) per ha) helped in wiping out the resultant deficit. Punja crop showed better performance, with positive growth both in area (488 ha) and productivity (71 kg.).
The overall productivity of rice touched an all time peak of 1730 kg. per ha. during the year. Punja season continued to enjoy the highest productivity (2106 kg/ha.) compared to virippu (1653 kg.) and Mundakan (1730 kg.). Season-wise data on area, production and productivity of rice is given in Table 4.6.
High yielding variety programme, considered to be the key for increasing the productivity and production of rice in Kerala, appears to be hobbling much behind expected levels. The only redeemable feature of the high yielding variety programme during 1988-89 is that the coverage has increased considerable compared to the previous year. In terms of percentage to total rice area it works out to 23.72 compared to 19.82 for the previous year.
Surprisingly the productivity of high yielding varieties of rice has declined from 2075 kg./ha in 1987-88 to 1982 kg/ha, a fall of 4.48 per cent. The productivity of high yielding varieties does not reveal a steady and stable trend from 1984-85 onwards. The drop in productivity of high yielding varieties during 88-89 is all the more disturbing because the productivity of rice crop in general recorded a positive growth during the year. Among the different seasons, Virippu crop suffered the maximum setback in productivity (-11.09%). The reluc tance of the Kerala farmer to go in for higher coverage of high yielding varieties could be attributed to their disappointing field performance and the high degree of annual and seasonal fluctuations. With an incremental yield of fourteen per cent as revealed during 1988-89 they are incapable of replacing the local varieties on a sustainable basis. Season-wise performance of high yielding varieties of rice during 1987-88 and 1988-89 .
Particulars of district-wise perform-'ance of rice production during 1988-89 is more or less comparable to 1987-88 . Excepting the districts of Palghat, Wayanad, Idukki and Kasaragod the crop suffered marginal setback in production. Even in the districts where the production increased, the same was only nominal. Alleppey district recorded substantial increase in area (3641 ha.), while there was considerable reduction in area in the districts of Trivandrum (1813 ha.) Quilon (2351 ha.), Ernakulam (8552 ha.), Trichur (5314 ha.), Palghat (2372 ha.), Malap-puram (3762 ha.), Kozhikode (2001 ha.) and Cannanore (1701 ha.). In productivity of rice, the districts of Pathan-amthitta (2161 kg) Alleppey (1827 kg.) Kottayam (2112 kg.) Idukki (2167 kg.) Palghat (1933 kg.) and Wayanad (1972 kg.) are far ahead of state average.
(b) Pulses : Pulses performed very well during 1988-89 with area, productivity and production making positive growth. The area under the crop increased from 25,711 ha. in 1987-88 to 26,881 ha. The increase in productivity was only nominal from 725 to 733 per ha. The production of 19705 tonnes recorded during 1988-89 is higher by 1066 tonnes than that in the previous year. Palghat district continues to contribute the largest share in area and production of pulses followed by Connanore. The highest productivity is in Quilon district (920 kg.) followed by Alleppey district (865 kg.) Trivandrum district which ranks fourth in area coverage (2.394 ha.) has the lowest productivity (192 kg.) in the State.
(c) Coconut: Coconut production which has all along been presenting a dismal picture during the last one decade has shown a dramatic reversal of trend during 1988-89. Among the perennial crops of Kerala, coconut, perhaps, is the most sensitive one to weather conditions. It is therefore natural that it has gained substantially, from the favourable rainfall during the year. The growth rate of 14.79% recorded in production is the highest ever recorded in Kerala. The production during 1989 is 3841 million nuts which is almost comparable to the production levels achieved by the crop in early seventies. The area under the crop also recorded in all time high of 8.66 lakh ha, with an increase of 91102 ha., during 1988-89 (11.75%). However, the productivity has increased, only marginally, from 4315 nuts to 4433 nuts/ha. in 1988-89. The crop continues to linger under low levels of productivity compared to the neighbouring states. Ernakulam (5706 nuts) ranks first in terms of productivity, followed by Trichur (5360), Kozhikode (5017), and Trivandrum (4823). These four districts account for nearly 41% of the area under the crop. Quilon, Alleppey, Malappuram, and Cannanore districts which contribute another 37% of the area of are lagging much behind the state average in respect of productivity.
(d) Pepper: Next to coconut, pepper recorded the highest coverage in area (+18477 ha.) during 1989. The area under the crop touched in all time high of 1.65 lakh ha. However, this impressive performance in area could not be repeated in the productivity from which has slumped down from 320 kg/ha to 258 kg/ha. The production had picked up substantially during 1987-88 (46819 tonnes) but suffered heavily (42513 tonnes) during 1989 consequent -to the drop in productivity. Idukki district is the largest producer of Pepper in Kerala (32 per cent), followed by Wayanad (21 per cent). The largest share in area is also accounted for by Idukki (20 per cent), while the highest productivity is in Wayanad district (21 per cent). The largest share in area is also ac counted for by Idukki (20 per cent), while the highest productivity is in Wayanad district (473 kg/ha). In all other districts the productivity of the crop is much below the state average.
(e) Tapioca: Tapioca is a losing proposition in every respect. The area has come down from 1.72 to 1.58 lakh ha. and production from 32.36 to 28.01 lakh bonnes. The productivity also declined from 18717 to 17650 kg/ha. Quilon district account for the largest share, both in area (25 per cent) and production (22 per cent) of the commodity followed by Trivandrum district (23 and 21 per cent respectively),
(f) Cashewnut: The production of Cashew increased from 81481 to 98878 tonnes during 1988-89. Increase in productivity from 670 to 827 kg/ha, made it possible to secure the above increase in production. The area on the other hand declined from 1.21 to 1.91 lakhha. during the period.

Plantation Crops
The production estimates as reported by the commodity Boards indicate that the plantation crops in general performed very well during 1989.
Rubber: Production of Rubber, the principal plantation crop of Kerala, registered an impressive growth of 9.58 per cent during the year, with an all time high of 2.384 lakh tonnes. The all India Production during the year is estimate to be around 2.59 lakh tonnes. The contribution of Kerala in All India production during the year works out to 92 per cent. Consumption of natural rubber in Kerala during 1988-89 increased to 43225 tonnes from 39337 tonnes in 1987-88 while the All India consumption for 1988-89 was 313830 tonnes. The share of Kerala in total consumption is only 14%. Imports of natural rubber in the country during the year was 59835 tonnes. Data on production, import, export and consumption of rubber in India are given in Table 4.10.
The market price of rubber was steadily on the increase during the last four vears as could be seen from the trend of prices given in . The price was at its peak of Rs. 2538 per quintal during July 1989. The average price in Kottayam market during 1988-89 was Rs. 1815 a quintal against the fair price of Rs. 1780 fixed by Government of India.
Tea: Against the total production of 701.087 million kgs. of tea estimated for the country during 1988 the contribution of Kerala is 65.771 million kgs. The production in Kerala during 1989 was more by 9.495 m.kgs. (16.87%) than in the previous year. The increase in production is entirely due to the improvement in productivity from 1625 to 1899 kg/ha, as the area under the crop was stagnant around 346.40 ha. Export of tea from the country also increased from 204.23 m.kgs. in 1987 to 215.42 m.kgs. However, the average auction price of tea fell from Rs. 22.28 per kg. to Rs. 20.49 per kg. during the period. Relevant date on the commodity are given in Table 4.12.
Coffee: Like Tea, the area under Coffee was a.lso stagnant around 56637 ha. in Kerala during 1988-89. According to the estimates of UPASI production of Coffee in the country as well as the State has almost doubled during 1988-89. Production of Coffee increased from 1.25 lakh tonnes to 2.16 lakh tonnes 1988-89 for the country while that for Kerala it increased from 22925 tonnes to 47425 tonnes during the same period. This commendable performance in production is due to the increase in productivity from 349 kgs. per ha, in 1987-88 to 722 kgs. The average price of all categories of coffee both in pool sales as well as in export were on the increase during 1988 compared to 1987. However this trend could not be sustained during
1989 consequent to the termination of the International Coffee Agreement in 1989. The export prices tumbled from Rs. 2014.75 per 50 kgs. to Rs. 1848.50 in respect of plantation A and from 1667.25 to 1544.50 in respect of Ar a. cherry A.B. and from Rs.1537.50 to 1288.75 in respect of Rob cherry A.B. variety. Nevertheless the quantity exported increased from 92461 tonnes in 1987-88 to 98247 tonnes in 1988-89. Relevant statistics on coffee are furnished in Table 4.13.
(a) Cardamom: Eventhough the area under Cardamom in Kerala, has declined from 64627 ha. to 59377 ha. during 1988-89, the production has increased from 2050 to 2108 tonnes. Kerala contributes about 65 per cent of the total Cardamom produced in the country. The productivity of the commodity in Kerala (36 kg.) during the year was higher than the All India average (31 kg.) The average price of Cardamom in Kerala during 1988-89 was only Rs. 134.09 per kg. against Rs. 141.68 kg. prevailed during the previous year. Export of Cardamom from the country during the year (787 tonnes) was also not very encquraging. Relevant data on Cardamom are furnished in Table. 4.14.
(b) Supplies and Services: The seed Industry in Kerala is still in its nascent stage. The Department of Agriculture, therefore continues to provide the seed support by arranging the multiplication and distribution from the departmental farms as well as through organised programmes involving selected registered growers. During 1988-89 a total of 1980 tonnes of quality seeds of high yielding varieties of paddy were distributed. This is in addition to the 26164 numbers of minikits of improved strains distributed include 120.8 tonnes of pulses, 47.50 tonnes of sesamom and 3 tonnes of groundnut.
(c) Fertilizers:' Fertilizer consumption has registered phenomenal increase from 182490 tonnes in 1987-88 to an all time high of 213927 tonnes during 1988-89. The percentage growth works out to 17. In terms of consumption per unit area it works out to 74.5 kg. per ha. of nutrients which is fairly high. The highest growth in consumption is recorded by Potash (32 per cent) followed by Nitrogen (13 per cent). The impressive growth of potassic fertilizers indicates that scientific manuring of Coconut is also picking up slowly but steadily.
(d) Plant Protection Chemicals: The consumption of plant protection chemicals also increased from 1059.00 tonnes to 1373.14 tonnes (active ingredients) during 1988-89. This has resulted in substantial increase in area covered under plant protection from 5.366 lakh ha. to 7.58 lakh ha. Other plant protection services rendered during the year include rodent control operations in 79900 ha., weed control operations in 1.31 lakh ha. distribution of 844 plant protection equipment and release of 216.44 lakh parasites for the biological control of the black headed coconut caterpillar.
(e) Soil Testing Service: Soil testing services were rendered by the Department of Agriculture through the 12 soil testing laboratories and 2 Mobile labora-taries. A total of 2.21 lakh soil samples were analysed during 1989.
(f) Quality Control of Inputs: With a view to ensure quality of inputs 1600 fertilizer samples and 1056 pesticide samples were drawn from private traders and subjected to detailed analysis during 1988-89.
(g) Extension Service: The reorganised extension service with Krishi Bhavan in every Panchayat introduced during 1987, could give a new impetus for the agricultural development efforts of the State. With easy access to supplies and services coupled with timely and close extension support a good beginning could be made in many areas of crop production. The development strategy was centred around developing location specific credit linked programmes with accent for group management. During 1988-89 a total of 3058 credit schemes were formulated by the Krishi Bhavans with an outlay of Rs. 46.60 crores covering 44294 ha. The credit disbursed under these schemes during 1989 was Rs. 24.53 crore benefiting nearly 98000 farmers (Table 4.15).
The Krishi Advisory Councils set up at the Panchayat, District and State levels were also active during 1989 ensuring people's participation for the innovative programmes initiated through the Krishi Bhavans. The Gmuij Farming for rice launched by the Department of Agriculture in the Khariff season of 1989 was a land mark in the history of rice cultivation in Kerala. The programme was successful in generating new hopes and confidence among the rice growers who were in a state of inertia during the last so many years. The coverage under the programme during the year is reported to be 1.73 lakh ha. The programme received wide-spread acclaim from all concerned with rice production such as cultivators, agricultural labourers, farmers' organizations etc. Though final estimates are yet to be available preliminary assessments indicate that spectacular increase in productivity of rice and considerable reduction in cost of cultivation could be achieved through the programme. Encouraged by the phenomenal success and the growing enthusiasm among the farmers the concept of growth management was extended to coconut also during the last half of 1989. Here the emphasis was mainly on organising scientific manuring, irrigation and health cover on an organised community basis. This programme is also getting recognition in a fairly large measure.
(h) Information Communication Support: Farm Information Bureau, being the unified agency provided active information and communication support to the farm front through various media. As in the previous years the Bureau associated itself with the various development activities launched by the Departments in the agricultural and allied sectors. Group farming for paddy, observance of 1989 as the pepper year, Onam vegetable cultivation and procurement programme etc. were organised by the Department of Agriculture. Intensive Livestock Development Programme and Model Dairy Colony Programme of the Animal Husbandry Department, Fodder Development Programme of the Department of Dairy Development etc. were important among the occasions when the Bureau provided active information support. Active liaison was also maintained with All India Radio and Doordarshan during the year the broadcast and telecast of farm news, farm features and special programmes on new developments in the farm front. Colour TV sets and VCPs were distributed to agricultural sub-divisions with a view to involve the field extension organisation also as part of the information communication efforts utilizing electronic media. The Bureau also participated in major exhibitions both within and outside the state. Major physical achievements of the Bureau in 1989 include the broadcast of 844 farm news bulletins and 6716 news items though All India Radio, distribution of 3.38 lakhs of handouts/ pamphlets, 4.56 lakhs Kerala Karshakan, conduct of 24 rural exhibitions, 34 film shows, 39 seminars, release of 101 farm features, participation in 5 major exhibitions and 47 Doordarshan coverages. Prices of farm Inputs: Data on average prices of important agricultural inputs during 1987-88 and 1988-89 are given in Table 4.16. Excepting paddy seeds, green manure seeds and coconut seedlings, prices of all major inputs including fertilizers remained constant.

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT

Credit is considered to be the lever for the development. In Kerala, the Co-operative Credit structure comprises of the Kerala State Co-operative Bank with its 14 district banks and 1580 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and the Kerala State Agricultural Development Bank with its 40 affiliated primary agricultural development banks. The credit operations of these institutions include those financed from own funds as well as refinanced by NABARD. The refinance assistance provided by the National Bank has increased steadily from Rs. 53.31 crore in 1986-87 to Rs. 58.06 crore in 1987-88 and further to Rs. 71.26 crore in 1988-89 registering an increase of 24% over the previous year. A review of the National Banks refinance revealed that out of a total refinance of Rs. 71.26 crore provided by NABARD during 1988-89, the share of Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural Development Bank alone works out to Rs. 29.11 crore (48.85%) followed by Commercial Banks Rs. 25.38 crore (35.62%), State Co-operative Bank Rs. 13.08 crore (18.38%) and RRBs Rs. 3.69 crore (5.17%). The largest proportion of disbursement was absorbed by the non-farm sector (outside IRDP) Rs. 17.41 crore (24.43%) followed by IRDP Rs. 16.56 crore (23.24%) In the farm sector, plantation and hortitculture accounted for the largest share of refinance, Rs. 15.62 crore (21.91%) followed by minor irrigation and land development Rs. 9.18 crores (12.88%), farm mechanisation Rs. 1.14 crore (1.60%). Compared to previous year, the refinance assistance for IRDP and plantation horticulture crops has increased by 3.37% and 7.72% respectively, whereas the assistance for minor irrigation including land development decreased by 26.91% and farm mechanisation by 10.24%. In the case of allied sectors, disbursements under animal husbandry and dairy schemes recorded increases to the tune of Rs. 4.17 crore over the previous years level (Rs. 2.92 crore). Out of the total refinance provided to Kerala State Co-operative Bank, about 47 per cent was for non-farm sector (under IRDP and outside IRDP). Over and above these refinance disbursements National Bank also sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1.17 crore from the National Rural Credit Fund to strengthen the share capital base of the co-operatives.
The total advances in Kerala by Commercial banks as on 30th September 1989 was Rs. 3823.52 crore against Rs. 3259.26 crore for the corresponding period of 1988. The priority sector advances as on 30th September 1989 was Rs. 1775.19 crore which constitute 46.43% of the total credit. The flow to agriculture was Rs. 688.06 crore (38.76%). In the agriculture and allied sectors the loan outstanding had reached a level of Rs. 634.7 crore representing 37.99% of the total priority sector credit and 17.14% of the total credit.
Co-operatives are the main channel for the disbursement of agricultural credit. Kerala State Co-operative Bank, the apex institution in the cooperative credit structure, disbursed Rs. 27,465.26 lakh under S.T., M.T. and LT loans, out of which the credit for agricultural purpose alone accounts for Rs. 12040.79 lakh i.e. 43.84% of the total credit. The outstanding at the end of the co-operative year 1987-88 was Rs. 24,240.42 lakh against Rs. 15,882.10 lakh as on 30-6-1987. The overdues which stood at Rs. 174,33 lakh at the end of June 1987 had risen to Rs. 387.07 lakh in the June 1988.
The Co-operative credit structure in Kerala has been built up on the best possible traditions of co-operative ideals and democratic set up. During the co-operative year 1988-89, 1580 primary agricultural credit societies with a membership of 78.08 lakhs were engaged in the dispensation of credit. The average membership per society has increased from 4632 in 1987-88 to 4942 to 1988-89 raising the average share capital per society to Rs. 4.37 lakh from Rs. 4.02 lakh in 1987-88. The working capital per society has gone up from Rs. 61.22 lakh in 1987.88 to Rs. 68.23 lakh from in 1988-89. The average deposit per society has increased from Rs. 35.53 lakh in 1987-88 to Rs. 40.95 lakh in 1988-89 raising the average deposit per member to Rs. 829 from Rs. 767. The percentage of borrowing member to total members decreased from 42.46% to 38.15% during 1988-89. Though the percentage of borrowers has decreased, the average loan advanced per borrowing member has increased from Rs. 2273 in 1987-88 to Rs. 2521 in 1988-89.
The Agricultural Credit Societies in Kerala have been performing quite well in dispensation of credit, mobilisation of deposits, supply of agricultural inputs etc. The total loan disbursed during 1988-89 was Rs. 751.17 crore against Rs. 703.73 crore in 1987-88 with an increase of 6.74%. Major portion of the loan disbursed was for non-agricultural purposes. The loan advanced for agricultural purpose alone aggregates to Rs. 329.52 crore i.e. 43.87% of the total advance. This is against Rs. 326.83 crore (46.44%) advanced during the previous year. The disbursement of Rs. 421.65 crore (56.13%) during 1988-89 under non-farm sector is much above the achievement during 1987-88 (Rs. 376.90 crore). The loan outstanding as at the end of 1987-88 was Rs. 720.89 crore which has increased to Rs. 814.32 crore in 1988-89. The loan overdue has increased from Rs. 133.66 crore to Rs. 163.92 crore during the corresponding period and consequently the percentage of overdue to loan outstanding has ascended to 20.13 from 18.54 in 1987-88, In regard to mobilisaton of deposits, the co-operatives were able to raise Rs. 178.85 crore against the target of Rs. 60.00 crore, during the mobilisation compaign organised in April 1989.
The performance of the credit cooperatives in the state is by and large encouraging. Out of 1580 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies 1540 societies have paid Secretaries. The number of societies on profit has declined from 807 in 1986-87 to 782 in 1987-88 and 777 in 1988-89. As on 189-90, 25 societies were dormant, 773 working on loss and 30 without profit or loss.
The selected indicators of the performance and credit operations of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies during 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89 are given in Table. 4.17.
The long term credit requirements of the agriculturists are met by the long term credit structure comprising Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural Development Bank and its primaries. During the financial year 1988-89, against a target of Rs. 50.00 crore fixed by NABARD, the Bank's achievement was 44.35 crores, the percentage being 88.7. The various development purposes covered by the Bank's lending activities include minor irrigation, farm mechanisation, land development including soil conservation, reclamation, cultivation of horticultural plantation crops etc. and other diversified activities like dairy, fish culture, poultry, gober gas/bio-gas, goat rearing, bullock and bullock cart, sericulture etc. and agrobased industries. In the dispensation of credit; schematic lending was given top priority. Out of the total loans advanced, the major share of Rs. 22.15 crore (49.94%) was for schematic lending and the amount advanced under ordinary lending was only Rs. 11.50 crores (25.93%) followed by non-farm sector which absorbed Rs. 10.74 crore (24.13%). For mobilising the required resources for the credit programmes, the bank had floated debentures-ordinary debentures for Rs. 11.30 crore, schematic debentures for Rs. 18.98 crores and non-farm debentures for Rs. 14.38 crore. With the objective of helping the rural poor, a rural housing scheme is implemented by the Bank with the assistance of National Housing Bank, an amount of Rs. 69.00 lakhs has been advanced during 1988-89 (Upto 15th December 1989) under this scheme. As a result of revision of norms by NABARD, 30 out of 40 Banks fall in the category of restricted lending. The percentage of overdue to demand at the KSCADB level which stood at 35.59% as on 30-6-1988 has increased to 40.32% as on 30-6-1989.
National Co-operative Development Corporation is a financing institution for the development of the co-operative sector in the country. NCDC had financed programmes for processing, storage and marketing of agricultural produce in the farm sector and for supply of consumer goods in rural areas. During 1988-89, a sum of Rs. 180.00 lakh has been sanctioned for providing margin money assistance to co-operatives which cover CAMPCO (Rs. 30.00 lakh), Marketing Federation (Rs. 60.00 lakhs) Rubber Marketing Federation (Rs. 30.00 Lakhs) RAIDCO (Rs. 10.00 lakh) and Coirfed (Rs. 50.00 lakh). The assistances provided in the non-farm sector was to equip the cooperatives with facilities required to promote income generating activities such as poultry and fishery for the benefit of the rural poor. In Kerala, NCDC had released a sum of Rs. 1371.21 lakh under various developmental activities during 1988-89. The integrated co-operative development project implemented with financial support from NCDC cover the districts of Wayanad, Palghat, and Kot-tayam. The amount released during 1988-89 by NCDC for implementing the project works out to Rs. 83.438 lakh. The state also participated in the NCDC 111 World Bank aided storage project for construction of rural godowns involving a storage capacity of 60,000 tonnes at a total cost of Rs. 10 crore. During 1988-89 NCDC has released a sum of Rs. 14.79 lakhs under this project. Training of personnel is an integral part of the projects promoted and financed by the corporation for improving the operational efficiency of the co-operatives. The training programmes are organised by the Agricultural Co-operative State Training Institute (ASSTI) functioning under the Kerala State Co-operative Bank. The total financial assistance released to Kerala by N.C.D.C. under the various programmes up to 1987-88 (cumulative from 1962-63 to 1987-88) works out to Rs. 3268.59 lakh.

PRODUCTION PROGRAMMES
A number of new programmes were initiated in the crop production sector during 1989. They include group farming for Rice, group management for Coconut, and special employment programme. Major agricultural programmes implemented during 1988-89 are detailed below.
(i) Group Farming for Rice
The scheme was launched for the first time during khariff 1989 covering, 1.73 lakh ha. The objective of the scheme is to invigorate the rice production scenario by improvement in productivity and reduction in cost through group management. Tillage operations using tractors, procurement and transport of seeds, fertilizers etc. community nurseries for rice, plant protection operations, water management and such other activities which are amenable to group action were identified and organised on a community basis. The programme was vigorously pursued during the Mun-dakan and punja seasons as well.
(ii) Group Management for Coconut
The concept of group management was extended to coconut also by initiating a pilot programme in Onat-tukara region. Irrigation, scientific manuring and plant health cover are the main activities under this programme. This is being implemented with the active involvement of CPCRI, farmer organisations etc. on an area-wide basis.
(iii) Special Employment Programme
With a view to generate additional employment opportunities to the unemployed agricultural labourers in rural areas a new programme was introduced during 1989. The programme is conceived as a community effort to be implemented with the active involvement of agencies like panchayats, Krishi Bhavans, Credit Institutions, participating farmers and farm workers. Under the programme 25 per cent subsidy is being provided to labour intensive infrastructural development works to be executed on an area-wide basis engaging the unemployed labourers recruited by the Panchayats. The investment required would be found from credit agencies and the infrastructural development part of the investment will be organised under the supervision of the works committee to be set up by the Panchayats. Being a new idea involving a number of agencies, the programme has to surmount a number of operational problems. It is expected that it would be gaining momentum from 1990-91 onwards.

OTHER AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMMES
Programmes implemented for rice development in addition to group include the seed multiplication and distribution, minikit distribution and eradication of pests and diseases in endemic areas. An area of 27341 ha. was covered during 1988-89 at a cost of Rs. 16.80 lakh for the eradication of Brown plant Hopper and paddy Leaf Roller.
Under Coconut development 12.96 lakhs west coast tall and 0.78 lakh hybrid seedlings were distributed. Comprehensive Coconut Development Programme was another scheme implemented for coconut development which benefited nearly 25000 Ha. Financial assistance was given for installation of 978 pumpsets and for development of 258 irrigation sources under the scheme. The coconut Board's programme for promotion of integrated farming in coconut small holdings was also continued during 1988-89 with an expenditure of Rs. 18.41 lakhs. Physical achievements under the programme during the year include removal of 16701 disease affected and uneconomic palms, construction of 115 irrigation wells, distribution of 243 pumpsets, promotion of multi species cropping in 1500 ha. and adoption of fertilizer use in 4000 ha.
The programme for the integrated development of spices implemented with 50% central assistance was continued during 1988-89. The total expenditure under the scheme during the year was Rs. 137.22 lakhs. Under this scheme, 19.99 lakh rooted pepper and 45802 clove seedlings and 2498 rutmeg seedlings were distributed, 14 model pepper gardens were established, 47498 minikits of fertilisers were distributed, 170 sprayers were supplied and 2498 ha. of pepper plantation were rehabilitated.
During the festival season of Onam 1988, the Department of Agriculture in close collaboration with the Department of Co-operation, Civil Supplies, Kerala State Co-operative Marketing Federation and other Co-operatives launched a massive action programme for production, procurement and distribution of vegetables in all districts. A total quantity of 6188 tonnes of vegetables procured and sold through the co-operatives and outlets of the Civil Supplies Corporation. This had helped me growers to secure remunerative prices and to contain the retail prices within reasonable limits during the festival season. Another programme for promotion of vegetable in homesteads was also organised during the year by distributing 1.24 lakh mini-kits of vegetable seeds and fertilisers at reasonable cost.
The Cashew development programme continued during 1988-89 include intessive pest management in cashew covering 5276 ha., establishment of 250 new cashew demonstration plots and maintenance of the 5 budwood nurseries of improved cloves.
Under the Small and Marginal Farmers Programme the Department of Agriculture distributed free of cost 30200 minikits of pulses seeds (4 kg each), 42313 kits of sesamum seeds (1 kg each), 46498 kits of coconut seedling (5 seedlings each) 500 kits of maize seed (4 kg.) and 250 kits of sorghum (2 kg.). The number of farmers benefited from the programme during the year is 119701. Under the land development component assistance @ Rs. 2500 per ha. was provided to 7700 farmers benefiting 7199 ha.

National Biogas Development Project was also continued and 2423 plants were established during 1988-89 at a total cost of Rs. 85.12 lakh.
Agricultural programmes were also organised as part of the special component plan for scheduled castes and the tribal sub plan. Location specific scheme involving an outlay of Rs. 223.41 lakhs under S.C.P. and Rs. 79.80 lakhs under T.S.P. were taken up for economic uplift of these weaker sections. Wide range of inputs and various types of implements suitable to the local situations were supplied free of cost under the scheme. A total of 150105 S.C. families and 13579 ST. families were benefited from the programme.
The development support for the plantation sector is being provided by the Commodity Boards concerned. Major programmes implemented by the Spices Board include advisory service through the Zonal and regional offices, production and distribution of quality planting material for replanting of old, diseased and uneconomic cardamom plantations, certified nursery programme for cardamom, pepper and tree spices, promotion of poly bag nurseries, replanting of old and uneconomic plantation by providing financial assistance, financial support for creation of irrigation infrastructure like checkdams, farm ponds etc. in cardamom plantations, special subsidy assistance on P.P. equipments, chemicals and soil conservation to weaker sections processing and marketing support for inferior grade cardamom etc.

Soil Survey
An area to the extent of 44.300 hectares was covered under the programme of 'Detailed Soil Survey'. This includes Karthikappally, Chittoor, Muvattupuzha, Vaikom, Palghat, Talappally, and Tellicherry taluks, covering 32,240 hectares and the catchment area of irrigation projects, Pampa and Vamanapuram in western ghat region to an extent of 21300 hectares.
The Reconnaisance Soil Survey covered an area of 23,000 hectares. The survey was mostly concentrated in Meenachil taluk.
An intensive orientation programme on Soil Resource Mapping was conducted with the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning.

Soil Conservation
The achievement under soil and water conservation in arable lands was 143 hectares in 1989 showing a marginal improvement over the previous year. Achievement under soil conservation measures in selected watershed availing institutional finance was-41.40 hectares, 31.66% less than the coverage in the previous year. Retaining walls arid sluices, were provided at different spots to protect a contiguous steam bank area of about 109 km int length. The performance under Special Component plan and Tribal Sub Plan indicated a remarkable increase over the previous year 1987-88. An area to the extent of 544 heactres of land belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes covered by appropriate measures of soil convervation against 392 heactres in 1987-88. An area of 1416 hectares of land was brought under various conservation measures in the catchment of Kundah River Valley Project (Kerala portion) implemented as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme with 50% subsidy and 50% loan. The achievement during the previous year was 1020 hectares.
The Department of Agriculture (S.C. unit) conducted a training course for Junior Soil Conservation Officers and Assistant Engineers on Watershed Planning and Management at Trivan-drum with a view to introduce watershed Management system in the State.
A seminar on Strategic Soil and Water Convervation for west coast plain and Ghat region was held at Trivan-drum in 1989. Shri. J.S. Bali, Adviser to the Planning Commission participated in the Seminar.
District-wise field studies were conducted under the technical guidance of the scientists from National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning.

Land use Planning
The work on land use survey of the State and preparation of optimum land use plan is in progress. Land Use maps for the Kuttanad region (Aerial photographs) were prepared at the instance of Kuttanad Water Balance Study Project has been completed. A pilot study to develop a methodology for forest resource evaluation for the State using remote sensing data in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Research Institute was initiated and is in progress. Structural Maps were provided to K.S.E.B, a user agency for the conduct of a siesmic study of Edamalayar project. The Land Use Board published 'Land Resources And Land Use in Kerala' a volume containing data on land, its resources and utilization.

Agricultural Marketing
In agricultural marketing, the State could not make much headway for want of organised efforts to build the required infrastructure. The government policy on development of agricultural marketing was largely centred around the promotion of a net work of co-operative for procurement, storage and marketing of selected farm produce.
The major institutional agencies engaged in the marketing of agricultural produce are the Kerala State Rubber Marketing Federation, Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative, Kerala State Coconut Development Corporation, Cashew Apex Industrial Co-operative Society and the Kerala Kera Karshaka Sahakarana Federation. The market operations of these agencies in general were at a low key during 1988-89 due to weak financial base and for want of adequate facilities. One more institution namely Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation has been set up during 1989.
The Kerala State Co-operative Marketing Federation is operating through the primary marketing societies. The Federation could improve its performance under copra (5922 tonnes) trade during 1988-89 despite serious financial difficulties. Other commodities handled by the Federation during the year include 411.5 tonnes of pepper worth Rs. 162.87 lakhs Rs. 2.31 tonnes of cardamom, worth Rs. 4.13 lakhs, 20 tonnes of honey worth Rs. 4 lakhs, 1.07 tonnes of cloves worth Rs. 1.57 lakhs etc. The overall performance of the Federation during the year is not very satisfactory.
The Kerala State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation is the apex institution with 33 primary rubber marketing societies under its fold. The Federation procured 30337 tonnes of rubber worth Rs. 53.16 crorel during 1988-89 again the procurement of 25927 tonnes in 1987-88. Sales of rubber during 1988-89 was 29468 tonnes. In fertilizer business also the performance of the Federation is commendable with a sale of 27363 tonnes. The Federation could organise serial spraying for rubber in 51450 acres.
The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Ltd. (CAMPCO), a joint venture of the Kerala and Karnataka Governments, handled, 1,28,693 Qtls. of are-canut, 5540 qtls of cocoa during the period from April to November 1989. In the cocoa processing unit operating under the Federation 1450 qtls. of cocoa products were also manufactured.
The Kerala State Warehousing Corporation has acquired an additional storage capacity of 3450 Mts during the year making its total own capacity to 113781 MTS. In addition the corporation has also retained hired godowns with a capacity of 40997 MTS. The total storage capacity available with the Corporation during 1988-89 works out to 154778 MTS. The corporation, apart from its basic responsibility of providing scientific storage facilities to agricultural aand other commodities has diversified its activities into many allied fields of warehousing. They include procurement of copra on behalf of NAFED in selected centres; purchase of pepper on behalf of Spices Trading Corporation Government of India, procurement of rubber on behalf of Rubber Marketing Federation under the price support scheme etc. The Corporation has handled a total custom of 349667 MTS with 76.38 per cent capacity utilisation.
Grading and Quality Control
Under the "Agmark" grading scheme operated by the . Marketing wing of the Department of Agriculture 27840 Qtls. of coconut oil, 40 qtls. of gingelly oil 615 qtls. of honey and 511 Qtls. of ground spices were graded during 1988-89.

Regulated Market
Regulated markets are functioning only in the Malabar region of Kerala under the Malabar Market Committee which was constituted in 1950 by the Government of Madras. The act in force in the old Madras Commercial Crops Market Act of 1933. The commodities notified are arecanut and coconut and their products. Four market yards are under this committee viz. Changaramkulam and Vat-tomkulam in Malappuram District, Perambra in Kozhikode District and Kanjhangad in Cannanore District. The District Collector Calicut is in charge of functions of the Committee from 1950 onwards.