US tariff hike will hit Kerala's exports hard, State to study crisis in depth: CM Pinarayi Vijayan
Speaking after inaugurating the State-level crop assessment project of the Land Utilisation department and launching the updated Land Resource Information System (LRIS) website, Mr. Vijayan said the State government will conduct an in-depth study to assess the crisis.
He pointed out that the US is the second largest importer of agricultural products from Kerala, accounting for more than 20% of the State's exports of cashew nut, rice, vegetables, processed fruits and cereal flours.
'Kerala also leads the country in the number of seafood processing units and the additional duty will directly hit our seafood exports,' he said, adding that the impact on the State's export dependent sectors could be substantial.
Mr. Vijayan also urged farmers to take the newly introduced Samuchita Crop Determination (appropriate crop identification) scheme seriously, as it will guide cultivation towards better productivity by assessing soil quality, water availability and climate change impacts.
'By identifying the right crop for each area, we can improve yields, protect soil health, and minimise agricultural losses,' he said.
The project uses GIS technology and field surveys to prepare panchayat-level crops maps, recommending suitable crop varieties for each area.
The initiative, implemented on a pilot basis in 10 grama panchayats, saw the release of the first-of-its kind survey number based crop map for Anjarakandy panchayat in Kannur. The map analyses local land productivity, suitable crops, marketing and entrepreneurial opportunities and sector challenges, providing a template for rational use of natural resources and sustainable agricultural management.
LRIS 2.0 unveiled
Mr. Vijayan also unveiled LRIS 2.0, an ungraded web-based database containing 13 categories of land related information, including land use, soil, water, and transport networks. The improved interface aims at assisting departments in precise planning project execution.
The event held at the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce hall, was presided over by Minister for Registration, Archaeology and Museums Kadannappally Ramachandran.
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