 |
| Tea Plantation/Image Source:Pxfuel |
Agriculture is an important part of Kerala's economy and gives a lot of people a way to make a living. The Western Ghats mountain range and a lot of rain are two of the state's unique geographical traits that help make its soil fertile and good for many types of farming. Kerala's agriculture industry not only gives its people the food they need, but it also helps the state's economy grow as a whole.
Main Agriculture Crops in Kerala:
Rice: Rice is the main food in Kerala and plays a big role in the country's agriculture. Most rice is grown in Kuttanad, which is known as the "Rice Bowl of Kerala." Varieties like Pokkali, Jyothi, and Gandhakasala are grown here, with Pokkali rice being a unique saline-tolerant indigenous variety.
Coconut: Kerala is known as the "Land of Coconuts" because of its many coconut trees. Coconut trees are everywhere, and they have many uses. The state grows the most coconuts in India, and accounts for 45 % of the total production of coconut in India. Coconut goods like coconut oil, copra, and handicrafts made from coconut shells make a big difference in the economy.
Rubber: Growing rubber is an important part of Kerala's agriculture. A big part of India's rubber output comes from this state. Rubber farms are common in the areas of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Ernakulam. The latex that is taken from rubber trees is used to make tyres, shoes, and industrial things made of rubber.
Spices: The tropical temperature and rich soil of Kerala make it a great place to grow spices. Spices like pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are famously grown in the state. Spices are grown in large amounts in the hilly parts of Wayanad, Idukki, and Palakkad. The quality and taste of Kerala's spices make them popular all over the world.
Tea and Coffee: Munnar and Wayanad, two hilly parts of Kerala, are known for their tea and coffee farms. The temperature is cool and the land is hilly, which is good for growing them. Tea plantations in Munnar make high-quality tea, and Arabica and Robusta coffee beans from coffee plantations in Wayanad are well-known.
Statistics on agriculture in Kerala:
- According to the Economic Review 2020-21, which was put out by the Government of Kerala, about 2.2 million hectares of land in the state are used for farming.
- Kerala has about 1.56 million hectares of land that has been sown.
- According to the 2015-16 Agricultural Census, there were about 2.9 million working farms in the state.
- In the farming year 2019-20, rice was grown on about 3.43 million hectares of land, and about 7.63 million metric tonnes of rice were made.
- In 2019-20, it was thought that the state would make about 6,500 million coconuts.
- In 2019-20, around 6.59 million metric tonnes of rubber were made in Kerala.
- As of 2019-20, about 11,600 metric tonnes of cardamom, 4,800 metric tonnes of pepper, and 4,400 metric tonnes of ginger are produced in Kerala.
- In 2019-20, Kerala was making about 72 million kilogrammes of tea and an expected 50,000 metric tonnes of coffee.