THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Economic Review 2016 says the state's agricultural sector is facing a severe growth crisis. As per the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) data, agriculture and allied sectors recorded a 1.43 percent growth in the first year (2012-13) of the 12th Plan. However, it witnessed a negative growth rate in the following years. The Review tabled in the Assembly on Thursday states that while the growth rate during 2013-14 was - 6.31 percent, it was -1.09 percent in 2014-15 and - 2.9 percent in 2015-16.
Similarly, the share of agriculture and allied sectors in the total Gross State Domestic Product declined from 14.38 percent in 2011-12 to 11.48 percent in 2014-15 and 10.38 percent in 2015-16. Biju Prabhakar, agriculture director, told DC that several disconnects forced the negative growth. “Farmers are confused as they are unable to bring in consistency when it comes to their produce. Secondly, most of the produce are seasonal causing a glut in the market. Unfortunately, the department lacks a proper crop farming system, and unless and until we address this issue in a scientific manner, we will not be able to maintain a healthy growth rate,” he said.
But agriculture department officials blame it on irrigation system as well. When the farmers are coming out with a sound output, and to a certain extent value-addition, all the 14 districts are already facing drought. The Review shows an average reduction of 22 percent in water storage in dams compared to Sept 2015. The only solace for the department is that during the annual plan 2015-16, out of '474.93 crore earmarked for it under the state Plan, the expenditure incurred was '449.14 crore or 95 per cent.
