HI-TECH VEGETABLE FARMING IN KERALA: BETWEEN PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

 As a consumer-based economy, Kerala must rely on imports for a large portion of its food supply. The state frequently looks to its neighbouring states, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, to meet its vegetable needs. However, chemical pesticide residue was found on most of the imported vegetables from these states. In 2009–10, the state began implementing high-tech vegetable farming in order to produce safe-to-eat products and to overcome various hurdles of conventional vegetable cultivation. In its early stages, the venture was wildly successful, rapidly expanding to all regions. By the following year, 2013-2014, growth in the number of newly established farms had slowed. The main reasons for the failure of the endeavour were the presence of pests and plant diseases, the decreased price of the products, the lack of sufficient support from the government, and the decrease in output caused by the accumulation of moss and dust on the roofing sheets.