Department of Socio-economic Evaluation and Technology Transfer, ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018, Kerala
*Author for correspondence Email: pshinoj@gmail.com
§This paper draws from the Background Paper on Agriculture, prepared by the author for State Planning Board, Government of Kerala on behalf of National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi. A part of the paper is featured in Kerala Perspective Plan 2030 (Volume I, Chapter 5).
The paper has provided insights on the performance of Kerala's agricultural sector with emphasis on demand and supply position of major crops. The study is based on secondary data collected from different sources such as National Accounts Statistics, Farm Guide, Report on Cost of Cultivation of Important Crops in Kerala, NSSO surveys, etc. largely for the period 2000–01 to 2009–10. The study has revealed that Kerala has lost a considerable area under essential food crops like paddy, pulses, tapioca, vegetables, etc. as well as under high-value crops like cashewnut, spices, tea, coffee, etc. The high returns obtained from commercial crops and non-agriculture sector are being utilized for funding imports from other states to meet the demand for food commodities. The projections for supply-demand balance of food commodities undertaken in this study have reinforced that Kerala's self-sufficiency in most food commodities would touch worst levels. The study has advocated for a comprehensive agricultural development strategy for the state.
Agriculture performance, food commodities, supply-demand projections, food security, Kerala
