This Policy outlines a comprehensive framework to revitalize the Kerala's agricultural sector by addressing land use, resource management, and farmer welfare. The policy emphasizes protecting agriculturally potential land from non-farming uses and advocates for a watershed-based approach to planning and development to ensure sustainable water and soil management. It also recognizes the vital need for climate change adaptation, robust extension services, and systematic disaster management strategies to safeguard rural livelihoods and optimize the ecological load on natural systems. The policy recommendations include managing natural resources and infrastructure, demarcating agricultural lands using satellite imagery, promoting rainwater harvesting and micro-irrigation, and strictly prohibiting the further conversion of paddy lands, developing regional nutrient plans on a watershed basis and significantly enhancing bio-manure production to revive soil health. Furthermore, it advocates for widespread pollution-free farm mechanization supported by financial incentives, alongside the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for real-time market data, paperless Krishi Bhavans, and SMS-based weather and pest forecasting. Addressing farmer distress and economic stability, the government recommends establishing an Agricultural Risk Fund, introducing an Actio Apportum for profit-sharing rights, and guaranteeing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for key crops like paddy, vegetables, and spices. The policy suggests treating loans for essential consumption, housing, and allied sectors as agricultural loans to ease severe debt burdens and prevent farmer suicides. Additionally, it proposes continuing farmer pension schemes, creating agriculture labour banks at the Panchayat level to counter labor shortages, and providing comprehensive health insurance to vulnerable agricultural communities. For market empowerment and crop-specific growth, the framework recommends forming Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with extensive state support to provide end-to-end services.
India · 2015-01-01