Kochi: It was an organisation that once represented wealth and prosperity in Kerala, and its platinum jubilee must be a reason for its members to celebrate.
But Association of Planters of Kerala (APK) is in no mood to celebrate as the prices of rubber, tea and cardamom, their main products, have hit rock-bottom and the sector is facing a question of its very existence. Instead, it’s going in for a reality check and explore the ways to go forward.
“Today, a kilogram of tea is sold at a loss of Rs 25, and rubber, Rs 50. In cardamom, the approximate loss is Rs 200 per kg.
International market conditions coupled with internal troubles have the entire sector tottering”, said APK chairman Gilbert D’souza, here. The Government must come forward and help the sector which employs the maximum number of people outside the Government sector in the State, he said.
The State Government should declare a moratorium on plantation tax and agricultural income tax while the Centre should impose an immediate ban on import of tea, rubber and cardamom, he said.
APK will mark its platinum jubilee with a one-day conference in Kochi on ‘Empowerment, Economy and Ecology’, on December 4. Governor Justice P.Sathasivam will inaugurate the function in which industry stakeholders will attend.
