Kerala is a beautiful state with its famed backwaters, wetlands and rain-swept Western Ghats. Better known as Gods Own Country, Kerala is today one of the most sought after tourist destinations in India. Secluded beaches, palm-fringed backwaters, mist-clad hill stations, lush tropical forests, cascading waterfalls, exotic wildlife, majestic monuments, fine art forms and enchanting festivals give it a distinctive charm. Kerala is also blessed with rivers which serve as the backbone of the state, as there are many hydro electric projects built across the state. Vembanad, Punnamada and Ashtamudi lakes are the life line of many industries like shipping, coir, fishing, inland navigation, tourism.
The soil is so fertile that you can get good yield on crops. Kerala is one of the largest producer of many spices, cashew, natural rubber. It is also a hub of a variety of flora and fauna and specialised habitats for rare species of animals and plants. It also contributes a lot to the tourism of the state and produces a lot of spices, and other edible stuff and natural rubber. However, recently as compared to the traditional industries, the Information Technology industry has emerged as a key driver of global economic growth in Kerala.
The state, with its high quality of life index and social infrastructure development, is a launch pad for economic development and growth. The economy of Kerala is reaping huge benefits from its blossoming industrial sector. Many IT hubs, parks and start-ups are making its way in Kerala. And a result, all the focus is on making Kerala an IT land.
In making the state technologically advanced, we are dodging the issues faced by the traditional industries. The traditional industries in Kerala particularly coir, handloom, Khadi, bamboo-based, handicrafts, artisanal and cottage industries etc. are plagued by the problems of high cost production, low quality, inappropriate technology and incapacity for professional marketing and export. Plantation industry is losing its grip to technology.
Factors such as low price realisation, high cost of production, high taxation and social cost, low labour productivity, shortage of workforce, unscientific land utilization pattern, climate change have led to the gradual decline of the plantation sector in Kerala. With competition from neighboring states in IT fields, it is high time Kerala focus more on their natural resources. We should be using technology to bring in advanced changes to these traditional industries and at the same time preserve them. Even if Technology sector falls, we would be backing with these industries which can save Kerala and its people.
