Policy and scope for practice of ergonomics in Agro Processing Industries in Kerala

Abstract

Kerala agriculture, over the last few decades has been facing multifaceted challenges, from the conversion of its green land-both wet and garden for the housing well as commercial purposes. The tillers of the land, to a large extent still remain only a producer of raw material in the sector. While the farm land productivity in rupee terms of Kerala agriculture is highest in the country with Rs.53,000/-per hector, the achievement of bottom level farmers still remain pathetic with all profits of value addition swept away by few agents in the industry. Why there is not much value addition done by the basic producers? The answer is clearly the lack of capital base and poor entrepreneurship in the unorganized sector. There are rays of hope in the activities of our new gen agriculture officers who are widely organizing production and marketing activities in rural areas, which may cater to the self-reliance needs of rural farmers. Above all, the most promising area is the value addition sector in agriculture. This includes sub sectors like dairy products and livestock products also.