The Hindu : Foreign investment in rubber, coffee plantations likely

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Foreign investment in rubber, coffee plantations likely

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 3. The Central Government is thinking of allowing foreign investment in rubber and coffee plantations, the Minister for Agriculture, K.R. Gouri, told the Assembly on Tuesday.

Intervening in the discussion on the final supplementary demands for grants for the current year and the demands for excess grants for previous years, the Minister said the Centre had sought the opinion of the States on the proposal. The State Government had not yet formed its opinion. Already, foreign investment was allowed in tea plantations.

Ms. Gouri said the State was drawing up legislation for regulating marketing of agriculture produce. The Centre had sent a model legislation on the subject. The changes needed at the State-level had not been decided upon, she said.

She said contract farming was proposed to be implemented in the State to make agriculture in the State competitive. This was needed to improve exports. Efforts were being taken to improve productivity of various crops and disease prevention. Root wilt-affected coconut palms were proposed to be cut and replanted (with disease-resistant palms). She denied the Government had set up a committee with a California-based specialist to study the suitability of modern agriculture practices in the State to aid imperialist designs.

Replying to the debate on the Bill, the Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, said Plan implementation had improved this year when compared to last year.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala