Climate change affects planters

KOCHI: The impact of climate change is casting a shadow on the agricultural sector, including plantations. Addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Planters of Kerala (APK) on Friday its outgoing chairman C. Vinayaraghavan said “Climate Change is a reality and it is right in front of us and we are experiencing its ill-effects.” Forecasting that “water will be a scare commodity in the near future”, Mr Vinayaraghavan said that the association has brought the matter to the attention of the government and sought the support and cooperation of plantation sector to conserve the water resources.

“The plantation sector can contribute immensely in water and soil conservation with the financial support from the Government,” he said. “The Climate Change Fund available with the state government can be utilised in constructing rainwater harvesting structures, percolation pits for groundwater recharge and other soil conservation measures,” he added. Such concerted efforts by the government will improve the groundwater table and reduce water scarcity in low elevation areas. Moreover, with right policy measures, government can encourage social forestry in plantation areas, he added.  

The APK expressed its inability to pay higher wages and better amenities due to financial crisis faced by the sector. “The association strongly feels that introduction of a productivity-linked wages will increase the earning potential of the workforce, without detrimentally affecting the plantations,” Mr Vinayaraghavan said. He also pleaded that the attempt to portray leaders of plantation industry as villains should be stopped. “There are some vested interests in the state, trying to paint a villain out of the plantation industry,” he said. “Plantation industry is the most ecologically friendly industrial activity in the state and if supported with the right policies, it can generate thousands of green employment opportunities further,” he added.