Sector has been struggling badly for years,so even small policy shift feels like big breathing space.
Main proposal is about allowing multi-cropping and giving more room for tourism activities inside plantation sector . For planters who are trying to keep estates alive,this is not just some fancy idea,it is survival matter only.
Government is planning to amend existing laws for this,and local stakeholders seem quite relieved . Because right now,many plantations are finding it hard to stay viable with tea alone .
Thomas Mathew ,Managing Director of Bethel Plantations,supported proposal clearly . He said,"Allowing multi-crops in plantations will ensure income and sustainability for the sector." And honestly,that line explains whole issue in simple way .
He also pointed out that other states have already benefited from similar practices . His view is that even 10% of plantation land being used for multi-cropping can help planters bring some financial stability back.
Few things standing out here:
- Multi-cropping support means government will amend laws to permit diverse crops .
- Tourism potential in plantations could bring extra income.
- Peerumade tea estates have fallen from 40 in the 1970s to just 28 today.
And that fall from 40 in the 1970s to 28 today is not small thing ah . It shows how deeply tea industry in Peerumade has declined over time,not some sudden problem from yesterday.
R. Samraj ,president of the Central Travancore Planters Association,also pushed for modernization and new farming practices to keep this century-old industry alive . He said multi-cropping can give immediate financial boost,helping planters move into fruit farming and value-added products.
That could also mean more jobs,especially for younger people who may not want to depend on old-style plantation work forever . If income sources increase,maybe families staying around these estates also get better chance to continue there .
Local MLA Cyriac Thomas said tea plantations alone cannot sustain themselves in current economic conditions . He pointed to tourism potential in Peerumade and Wagamon,and that mix of tea cultivation plus tourism does sound practical if done carefully.
But question is whether this proposal will actually move fast on ground,or whether planters will again wait for years while estates keep shrinking…
