Sustainable plantation crops for inclusive growth: Indian scenario, issues, challenges, and coping strategies

The present study narrates several pressing issues affecting the sustainability of the plantation sector in India and suggests an alternate frame for restructuring it towards achieving the goal of sustainability. The narration starts off with quickly traversing through the economic history of plantation crops in India and subsequently discussing the crucial issues to contemplate including cropping patterns, price instability, institutional arrangements, and preparedness for the ongoing free trade agreements. Further, sustainability and inclusive growth is debated in the light of existing labour market institutions and collective bargaining power of small and marginal holders. The aspect of environment sustainability in terms of loss of biodiversity and soil deterioration with specific crop wise detailing is also attempted in a separate section. The plantation sector in general is far off from inclusive growth, as most of the global value chains are buyer driven and production node is characterized by the lowest value share accumulation. The article strongly argues for revamping the existing innovation system of the plantation sector in India.