The Hindu Business Line : Planters seek modification in TN Land Reforms Act

THE plantation industry in the South has sought a modification in the Land Reforms Act for partial crop diversification in plantations. The ailing sector, in order to survive, has requested the Tamil Nadu Government for inclusion of certain additional crops for the purpose of exemption from the ceiling provisions of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961.

At present, the exemption provided under Section 73 of the Act is available only to lands planted with defined plantation crops such as tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and cinnamon.

In the aftermath of globalisation, the industry has been unable to withstand the competition in the global arena. It is on the verge of a near collapse because of the steep fall in price levels coupled with unrestricted import of plantation products. The only alternative at this juncture, industry sources perceive, would be to take to partial crop diversification, as this is expected to give the much-needed cushion against rising losses.

Planters have identified crops such as vanilla, cocoa, cashew, pepper, certain herbs and medicinal plant varieties, aromatic plants, floriculture etc., depending on the elevation and location. Such diversification, they say would ensure employment to the workforce and safeguard the ecological balance in the hill areas.

Planters state that this amendment in the land use pattern would go a long way in the development of agro industries.

In a recent move, the Government of Kerala introduced a Bill in the State Assembly amending the Land Reforms Act to include cashew and a few other crops in the exempted list. According to planters, the State was considering to include vanilla and other eco-friendly crops in the list.

The Tamil Nadu planters are asking for a review of the policy to ensure their survival.

A closer look at the planted area and the area available for development in the Valaparai plantation tract indicates that apart from the planted area, over 60 per cent of land was still available for development. The predominance of corporate sector holdings in plantations is visible in this belt.

Speaking to Business Line, planters in Valparai said that the new crops could be in the uncultivated areas as also in pockets where uprooting of mature trees and coffee plants were required.

They pointed out that a majority of the bushes were over 80 years old and there was an urgent need for uprooting and replanting the aged bushes with new ones.

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