SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES OF SMALL SCALE PEPPER PROCESSING INDUSTRIES – A CASE STUDY IN WAYANAD, KERALA

Agriculture plays a vital role in Indian economy, about 54.6% of the population is engaged in agriculture and allied pepper processing activities. Agriculture contributes 17% towards the nation's Gross Value Added (GVA). Kerala has the 13th largest economy in India with the GDP of 7.48 lakh crore per annum. Although service industry is the predominant industry in Kerala, agriculture also having equal importance for the development of the state welfare as 12% of the GDP is derived from agriculture and allied activities. Natural rubber, coconut, tea, coffee, cashew and spices including cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg comprises a critical contribution to agricultural sector along with state produces 97% of pepper out of national output of India. District of Idukki and Wayanad are the two major pepper producers in Kerala. Idukki as the leading producer contributes 30,424 tons of pepper production from 43755 hectors. Wayanad contributes 3706 tons from8945 hectors. Even though the climatic conditions and the geographical aspects are quite comfort but the production remains less in Wayanad. The major reason what researcher has found that being a localite of Wayanad, pepper farmers in Wayanad are majorly unorganized and the less support from state Government. At this point the researcher made an attempt to undergo his research work in the topic of “sustainable strategies of small scale pepper processing industries– a case study in wayanad ,kerala”.