Industries Minister P Rajeeve inaugurating the office of Plantation Directorate of the Department of Industries and Commerce. Also seen are MLAs V K Prasanth and Vazhoor Soman (Peerumedu); S Harikishore, MD, KSIDC; Mir Mohammed Ali, Director of Industries and Special Officer (Plantations); Santhosh Koshy Thomas, MD, KINFRA.
A draft policy on revitalizing Kerala’s plantation sector, based on the recommendations of the study by IIM Calicut, is under consideration by the state cabinet, according to Industries Minister P Rajeeve.
Inaugurating the office of the Plantation Directorate of the Department of Industries and Commerce here, Rajeeve said Kerala was the first state to set up an exclusive directorate for the plantation sector, considering its significance in the state’s economy.
Highlighting the need to revitalize the sector, Rajeeve urged government officials and labour unions to work together to grow the sector. A special meeting will be convened to deliberate on reviving the closed plantations, he said.
Elaborating on the measures adopted by the government for strengthening the plantation sector, the Minister said that under the KERA project, ₹479 crore has been allotted for re-planting and other activities of coffee, cardamom and rubber.
The government has received around 72 DPRs under the new subsidy scheme launched by the Plantation Directorate for the renovation and construction of accommodation facilities for plantation workers, he said.
S Harikishore, Managing Director, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation said a permanent State Plantation Business Advisory Committee has been formed to deliberate on policies relating to the plantation sector. Also, district-level Plantation Advisory Committees comprising major planters will be convened.
Mir Mohammed Ali, Director of Industries and Special Officer (Plantations) said an administrative sanction for ₹30 lakh was given for the construction of the dedicated Plantation Directorate, and major reforms can be expected in the plantation sector once the government approves the recommendations of the IIM Calicut.
Published on April 10, 2025
