More jobs to be created in the agricultural sector

According to R Chandra Babu, vice-chancellor of Agricultural University of Kerala, the plantation sector crops adopted by Odisha and the northeastern states are likely to create more jobs in the agricultural sector.

Tuesday he opened the 24th International Symposium on Plantation Crops (PLACROSYM) here, saying that the extensive and continuous research and development in the plantation sector will add tremendously value to the sector.

Increase in spice exports

Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, spice exports hit a new high of $ 4.1 billion, according to D Sathiyan, Secretary, Spice board, and the Council aims 10 billion dollars target in the coming year. He claims that while the plantation sector accounts for only 3% of cultivated land, it accounts for 27% of total agricultural product exports.

According to Spice board President AG Thank you, the Covid epidemic had a significant impact on migrant workers, which was reflected in the plantation sectors. He challenged scientists and researchers to find the best solutions to Covid-related problems in the plantation sector.

About PLACROSYM:

PLACROSYM was founded in 1978 and is held every two years under the auspices of various organizations / research institutions involved in research and development of plantation crops.

PLACROSYM brings together eminent plantation scientists and researchers to reflect on and debate the challenges of change, especially after Covid-19. The theme of the conference is “Coping with the pandemic and beyond: research and innovations in the plantation crops sector. “

The main cultures of the symposium are tea, coffee, spices, rubber, coconut, areca nut, oil palm, cashew, cocoa, and other commercially important plantation crops.

Objectives of the Agricultural University of Kerala:

To provide quality education in agriculture, horticulture, cooperation, forestry, agricultural engineering, home sciences and other related disciplines.

Generate appropriate technologies to support the sustainable growth of agricultural entrepreneurship and agribusiness.

Undertake fundamental, applied and adaptive research to meet the current and future challenges of the agricultural community and to propose management options adapted to the dominant agro-climatic and socio-economic situations.