>
Title: Crisis in traditional cashew, coir and rubber industries of Kerala due to global economic recession.
SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN (CHIRAYINKIL): There are traditional agricultural products being produced in Kerala like cashew, rubber and coconut. Now, these products are facing a crisis because they involved import. So, I would request the Central Government to declare some package for these products otherwise the Kerala farmers will be in starvation. The coir industry is facing a
* Not recorded
crisis. It is a traditional industry so also is the case of cashew. In the manner of import, the economic situation is much worse. There are no exports. In the case of rubber also, it is the monopoly State of India where 90 per cent of the rubber is being produced. That is not being exported outside India due to economic depression. So, this is a very grave situation. The Central Government should come to the rescue of these people in Kerala like cashew producers, coconut growers etc. I think the Government will consider to bring out a package for salvaging these industries.