Farm Poverty in Kerala: A case study of Alappuzha, Trissur, Palakkad and Wayanad

Abstract

The present study was an attempt to analytically approach the problem of farm poverty in Kerala from an entirely different angle by incorporating an independently developed and reformulated definition of poverty line in terms of physical units of operational holdings (say, acre). The entire discussion on farm poverty emerged out of proper co-ordination of two important factors popularly considered as the distinct features of I<erala's agrarian sector, viz, unparalleled proliferation of marginal holdings and the unique and emirable position enjoyed by the state in terms of farm productivity. This brief analytical study on farm poverty, conducted in the light of inter regional variations in farm productivity tried to highlight various grave issues deserving thorough introspection.