Trivandrum: All benefits including grants, subsidies and incentives received by MSMEs in the industrial sector will be given to the enterprises in the plantation sector as well, Industries Minister Shri P Rajeeve said. Inaugurating a four-day ‘Plantation Expo’, organised by the newly set up Plantation Directorate, the Minister said that by April the Plantation Directorates will be fully functional, delivering its services in the state and district levels. Also, up to five per cent of the plantation sector can be used for growing medicinal plants, horticorp ventures, tourism and other purposes.
“Since the potentials of the value-added products from the plantation sector are not being fully utilized now, a single window system will be introduced at the Plantation Directorate to give sanctions for making the best out of such products,” the Minister said. He noted that the government aims to bring in a positive impact on the plantation sector.
The pioneering event which commenced today on the Sooryakanthi Exhibition Grounds at Kanakakunnu Palace grounds here, is conceived as the first major step to make Kerala Plantation a global brand while ensuring the progress of the labourers in the sector.
The February 16-19 ‘Plantation Expo’has the participation of registered plantations in the state, the cooperative societies in the sector, pertinent traders, distributors and providers of goods and services.
Shri Suman Billa, Principal Secretary, Industries; Dr Santhosh Koshy Thomas, Managing Director, KINFRA; Dr R Ashok, Chairman, RIAB; Shri AK Jaleel, Chairman, Association of Planters, Kerala; and Shri A K Sudhir and Shri P S Suresh Kumar, Additional Directors, Industries, were also present.
Also, on the sidelines of the event experts will be leading seminars on Friday and Saturday on various topics including the problems and opportunities in the plantation sector. The themes for the seminar are ‘Income augmentation in plantation sector through diversification and value addition’ and ‘Climate change mitigation and climate resilient agriculture’.
The expo features 100 stalls showcasing the products and services of the participants.