The Hindu Business Line : ‘Vision Kerala’ calls for green and sustainable development

The document envisages that by 2025, Kerala would be a vibrant, sustainable modern State providing its residents globally comparable quality of life and opportunities to excel in their chosen walk of life.

Our Bureau

Kochi, April 13

The Vision Kerala 2025, a study commissioned by the CII-Kerala State Council, has called for a green and sustainable development model which will ensure globally comparable living standards for the people of Kerala.

The study, released here by the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, has listed development priorities before the State till 2025. The document envisages that by 2025, Kerala would be a vibrant, sustainable modern State providing its residents globally comparable quality of life and opportunities to excel in their chosen walk of life.

The study focused on issues such as economic growth, social development, analysis of performance and issues impacting specific sectors, factor advantage of the state and aspirations of the people. Some interesting cues for developing future growth agenda for State which came out during the study are:

•All stakeholders want to retain the Greenness of Kerala. The State needs to develop a Unique Sustainable Development model, which facilitates growth, but not at the cost of environment and green resources.

•The youth of Kerala aspires for White Collar jobs/jobs in office environment. A significant proportion of youth want to be prepared to take up jobs anywhere in the world. Appropriate skill development of the workforce and creation of suitable employment opportunities within the state are some key challenges that the state faces.

•Given the legacy of fragmented holdings, declining productivity, un-competitive cost of production and un-remunerative prices farmers in the state need to focus on high value agriculture. Policy level interventions are essential to facilitate such transition. Kerala has a high cost of cultivation in traditional crops with the farmers barely recovering costs. High Value Agriculture with market linkages can generate more employment in rural areas and slow down urban migration .

•Lack of continuity in the governmental policies is a matter of concern amongst all stakeholders, irrespective of ideology and political leanings. Ensuring continuity in key policies between successive governments is the near unanimous desire of stakeholders. The political parties should jointly evolve and agree on a Minimum Common Development Agenda which should be followed irrespective of which party or front is in power.

•Urbanization can be a boon or a bane depending on how it is addressed in the development strategy. Kerala is often referred to as a one big city without clear demarcation of urban and rural areas.

Development of district headquarter towns with thrust on Rural Business Hubs, focusing on Food Processing and IT can minimise urban migration issue and reduce pressure on urban areas. A well-planned modern Kerala State should be the goal of urban planners and policy makers in the State.

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