HI-TECH FARMERS

HI-TECH FARMERS

As many as 600 farmers across the State who have taken to hi-tech methods of cultivation to raise vegetables in controlled conditions find the going difficult in the face of government apathy to their problems.The farmers who have invested heavily in polyhouses fear that it may be difficult to sustain the profits achieved in the initial phase.They are worried about the government’s failure to address the restrictive conditions imposed by various departments and the lack of a support mechanism. Funding agencies are also fighting shy of extending financial support for hi-tech farming.The State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC), which met here on Monday, discussed issues affecting credit flow to the hi-tech farming sector. NABARD has identified three major issues restricting growth in the sector. These include the high electricity tariff for polyhouse cultivation, levy of building tax on the temporary structures and the high cost of construction.

The SLBC meeting urged the government to provide free electricity for polyhouse farming, exemption from building tax and sales tax relaxation for the materials used to fabricate the structures.The State Horticulture Mission-Kerala submitted a proposal seeking government intervention to sort out the problems. But farmers pointed out that the government had failed to address these issues for the last three years.Expressing concern over the issues affecting credit flow, Agriculture Secretary K.R. Jyothilal said it would be difficult to attract more entrepreneurs to hi-tech farming if the current issues were not sorted out.Digaul Thomas, a farmer from Mananthavady, Wayanad, who had set up a 1,000 sq m polyhouse on his plot three years ago says,“It is a long road ahead for hi-tech farming in Kerala. Early birds like us are learning through trial and error. Not all crops have been successful. There will be no new entrepreneurs unless the government comes forward to support this venture.”

According to V. Gopakumar, a farmer from Kattakada in the suburbs of the capital city, hi-tech farming is at a critical juncture in Kerala. A former Army man, he has suspended cultivation of vegetables in the 1000 sq m polyhouse on his plot following production hitches and marketing problems, but is optimistic about picking up. “With such high investment, hi-tech farming requires sustainable profits and support. How will more youngsters come forward unless they see the potential for growth?”Mr. Thomas, who has been cultivating 20 varieties of vegetables in his polyhouse for the last three years, said the high overhead costs were a serious limitation. An interior designer by profession who had decided to try his hand at farming, he is worried about the absence of government support. “Why is it that hi-tech farming is denied the tax benefits given to investors in every other sector,” he asks.Hi-tech farmers in the State incur heavy input costs on importing water-soluble fertilizers, pesticides and bio-control agents from neighbouring States. The high labour cost in Kerala and the absence of marketing support are other factors that the farmers have to contend with.With farmers in Tamil Nadu turning to polyhouse cultivation in a big way, there are fears that they would flood the market in Kerala, posing a major threat to domestic farmers.

Prof. John Kurakar