Leading Issues and challenges in the Agriculture Sector of Kerala

The paper deals with the performance of agricultural sector of Kerala and the major issues existing in it. The study is based on secondary data collected from different official sources. Rapid changes have occurred in the agriculture sector of Kerala in terms of land utilization pattern in favor of non-agriculture sector and cropping pattern in favor of cash crops. There has been decrease in both net area sown and gross cropped area resulting in decline in cropping intensity. Kerala has also witnessed a structural transformation in agriculture from food crop cultivation to cash crop cultivation. The high returns obtained from commercial crops and non-agriculture sector are found to be the principal reason for the change. Along with that the fragmentation of land holdings, the severe shortage of labor existing in agriculture and the resultant increase in labor cost have made farming an unprofitable activity. All these changes have landed the State in a situation of food insecurity. The study has advocated for a comprehensive agricultural development strategy for the state.