Plantation, a usually large estate in a tropical or subtropical region that is cultivated by unskilled or semiskilled labour under central direction. The importance of the plantation sector in the Region is increasing as the demand for raw materials is rising and the supply from the natural forests is dwindling.
Plantation sector is not just a foreign exchange earner but a Key Sector in India’s Inclusive Growth Strategy because of its role in employment generation, (especially women labour) livelihood of small and marginal growers, backward communities, balanced regional development and addressing environmental issues. Further it is, perhaps, the only sector where competitiveness determines decisively the ability to foster inclusive growth as the competing countries are “desperate exporters” with hardly any domestic market. However, the sector is confronted with series of structural rigidities that creates spaces of exclusion at different levels.
Amla is botanically known as Emblica officinalis a genus of Emblica. It is a small genus of trees, native of India, Ceylon, Malaya and China. The amla fruit is green when tender, changing to light yellow or brick red colour when mature. It is sour and astringent, and is occasionally eaten raw. The amla fruit is used successfully in the treatment of human scurvy. It is a rich source of vitamin C. Amla fruit has been held in high esteem in indigenous medicine. It is acrid, cooling, and refrigerant. It wide application in food as curry, pickles in cosmetics preparation as herbal shampoo, Hair oil, herbal hair dye and many items. Its demand potential is very high.
Banana is one of the most important crops worldwide. They are the fifth largest agricultural commodity in world trade after cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa. Banana cultivation is the profit making farming practice worldwide. Major banana producing countries are India, Brazil, China, and Ecuador. And the major importing countries are USA, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. India exports banana mainly to UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries. In India, the major banana growing states are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, A.P., Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, Assam etc.