Kochi: The platinum jubilee celebration of the Association of Planters of Kerala (APK) here on Thursday virtually became a brainstorming session for the survival and progress of the plantation sector in the State.
Most speakers, while acknowledging the contribution the sector has made to the State, said the government and the companies must work together and find innovative ways to come out of the crisis it faces now.
P H Kurian, principal secretary (industries and IT), who chaired a technical session, said plantation is the only sector where the social security of the people is taken care of by the companies.
“The government should take a relook at this phenomenon, given the change in the socio-economic pattern in Kerala.”
He said the rule which allows the use of five per cent of the plantation land for tourism, horticulture and dairy farming should be made simple. He said the government should also invest in the sector which contributes to the environmental security of the State.
Kerala Planning Board member G Vijaraghavan, who spoke at a session on empowerment, called for a change in the law and allow diversified use of the land. He also called for better remuneration and welfare package for the plantation workers that “meet the aspirations of the next generation.”
Earlier, inaugurating the function, Governor Justice P Sathasivam (Rtd) lauded the role the plantation sector played in the economic and social prosperity of the State.
More than 300 delegates representing the plantation sector attended the programme. The annual general meeting, which was held as part of the programme, elected C Vinayaraghavan as APK chairman.
