Kerala’s Farming Sector Witnessing Growth: CM

Quick Summary

• Farm Sector Growth: Kerala recorded 4.65% agricultural growth in the last fiscal year, exceeding the national average of 2.15%. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan credited initiatives like Mission 2026 and Mission 2033 for this achievement.
• Productivity Boost:

– Paddy yield increased to 3,108 kg per hectare.
– Coconut cultivation saw a growth of 54%; procurement rose from 6.28 lakh tonnes to 17.20 lakh tonnes during the government’s tenure.

• Climate and Innovation Initiatives:

– to counter climate change risks, Kerala launched a ₹2,365-crore KERA project with World Bank assistance; it will benefit four lakh farmers directly and ten lakh indirectly.
– More than 150 agri-tech start-ups have emerged in Kerala, transforming over 200 farm products into market-ready brands through value-added initiatives.

• Technology in Farming: Agriculture Minister P. Prasad highlighted advances like AI-driven farming and drone-based seeding that saved up to 40% of seeds while improving yields.
• Societal Impact:

– Farmers were called “the backbone of society,” emphasized by both Ministers P. Prasad and K. Rajan at State-level Farmers’ Day celebrations held on Chingam one (Malayalam calendar).
– Senior farmers were honored; Harithagatha,a book documenting their success stories,was released.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Kerala’s agricultural achievements reflect strategic planning combined with innovation-focused interventions aimed at increasing productivity and sustainability despite challenges such as climate shifts and wild animal attacks. Projects like the ₹2,365-crore KERA initiative underscore efforts towards risk mitigation while enhancing farmer security through modernization.

The integration of technology tools such as AI-powered farming methods can serve as models for other regions grappling with similar resource constraints or environmental uncertainties-potentially positioning Kerala as a leader in smart agriculture practices within India.

Tackling climate-related impacts requires coordination between state-specific measures and central legal amendments regarding wild animal management mentioned by CM Vijayan-a pragmatic reminder of shared responsibilities across governance levels for effective solutions benefiting agricultural communities.

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