Plantation sector hails proposal on extra crops

Estates will get more income by growing fruit trees as subsidiary crop

The crisis-ridden plantation sector in the State is expected to benefit hugely by the diversification proposal in the State Budget presented on Friday. An amount of ₹2 crore has been set aside for a project for promoting cultivation of subsidiary crops, mainly fruit varieties such as rambutan, avocado, dragon fruit, and mangosteen, in plantations. The government intends to formulate policy and implement the project within six months. The plantation sector is struggling because of a fall in price and shortage of workers. In the tea sector alone, many small estates have remained closed for nearly two decades, prompted by a steep fall in international tea prices at that time. The subsidiary crops will provide income to such estates. Planters said there was also the prospect of export of value-added products.