Job Satisfaction of Workers of KERAFED Oil Complex, Karunagappally, Kollam

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Job Satisfaction of Workers of KERAFED Oil Complex, Karunagappally, Kollam IJCBM International Journal of Commerce and Business Management DOI: 10.15740/HAS/IJCBM/13.1/1-8 ISSN:0974-2646 Volume 13 | Issue 1 | April, 2020 | 1-8 Visit us : www.researchjournal.co.in RESEARCH PAPER Job satisfaction of workers of KERAFED Oil Complex, Karunagappally, Kollam Soni Solaman Received : 14.01.2020; Revised : 01.03.2020; Accepted : 15.03.2020 ABSTRACT The study entitled “Job satisfaction of workers of KERAFED Oil Complex, Karunagappally, Kollam” had been undertaken to examine the level of satisfaction of workers in the organisation. Ten parameters structured around Frederick Hertzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory had taken for the study. The sample size of the study is 70 permanent workers along with 10 temporary workers as a control group. Satisfaction indices and percentages were used to analyze the data obtained through structured interview schedule. The satisfaction levels are categorized into five; excellent (above 80), good (61-80), moderate (41-60), poor (21-40) and very poor (upto 20). The majority of workers were married males are Hindus belonged to OBC category, aged between 41-50 years with higher secondary education and in service for 20-25 years. Most of the workers were having owned house with lands between 1-10 cents and cent per cent of the workers owned two wheelers. From the ten selected parameters, the level of satisfaction of permanent workers was excellent for the parameters viz., work hours, government policy, superiors managing ability, employee welfare activities, degree of participation and interpersonal relationship whereas three parameters viz., quality of physical environment, satisfaction with wages and retirement benefits and job security and promotional benefits were categorised as good. However the company and administrative policy was categorized as moderate. Out of ten parameters, six parameters obtained satisfaction index above the overall job satisfaction index. The overall job satisfaction index of 81 per cent for permanent workers is closer to the upper limit of the category of good may be because of the comparatively low satisfaction indices obtained for the parameters viz., company and administrative policy, quality of physical environment, satisfaction with wages and retirement benefits and job security and promotional benefits. The overall job satisfaction index of permanent workers was 81 per cent which indicates level of satisfaction as excellent whereas for temporary workers, it was 73 per cent which indicates level of satisfaction as good. KEY WORDS : SA – Strongly Agree, A – Agree, MA – Moderately Agree, DA- Disagree, SDA – Strongly Disagree How to cite this paper : Solaman, Soni (2020). Job satisfaction of workers of KERAFED Oil Complex, Karunagappally, Kollam. Internat. J. Com. & Bus. Manage, 13(1) : 1-8, DOI: 10.15740/HAS/IJCBM/13.1/1-8. Copyright@ 2020: Hind Agri-Horticultural Society. AUTHOR FOR CORRESPONDENCE uman resource is one of the most important Soni Solaman, College of Co-operation, Banking and Management assets of an organisation. Even if resources such Kerala Agricultural University, KAU (PO), Vellanikkara, Thrissur as plant and equipment as well as financial assets (Kerala) India H E-mail: [email protected] are and will continue to be vital for almost every organisation such resources will have to be handled and HIND INSTITUTE OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Soni Solaman managed by human resources properly and judiciously. faculty members in arts and science institutions. Sample The physical resources alone cannot subscribe to the consists of 98 faculty members in Tami Nadu. The result growth of an organisation without human resource of the study showed that the emotional intelligence at component which transforms physical resources into work has a great influence on the level of job satisfaction productive resources. Job forms an essential part of a and in turn on work performance. man’s life. Workers analysis involves collecting job Khan and Ahmed (2013) conducted a study to related information, duties, responsibilities, skills and measure the job satisfaction of library professionals knowledge required to perform the jobs. For any serving in public sector universities of Khyber employee work is not merely a tool for financial benefits, Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 49 responses were but an idol of workship. Better performance leads to collected and analyzed. The study reveals that although high employee satisfaction and rewards. If these rewards library professionals working in these institutions were are seen as fair and equitable, the improved satisfaction slightly satisfied with their nature of work, they were develops because workers feel that they are receiving dissatisfied with supervision, benefits, promotion, revision rewards in proportion to their performances. of service structure, promotion policies, improvement in Job satisfaction essentially means economy of academic qualification and advance training were efforts, getting rid of avoidable tension, utilizing the suggested by the researcher. energies of the employees for better performance of work instead of allowing them to be dissipated needlessly. Statement of problem: Satisfaction of employees with their work is directly Job satisfaction is a feeling of emotional response related with the extent to which their jobs provide them to the work one do and the environment in which one do with rewarding outcomes as pay, fringe benefits, that work. The feeling he/she experience can be positive appreciation from their supervisors, a high probability of one in which case one experience job satisfaction or that promotions, close interaction with co-workers, an can be negative in which case one experience job opportunity to influence decisions, which has future dissatisfaction. It is the feeling of an individual employee. effects on them. Job satisfaction expresses the amount of agreement Raghunatha Reddy and Krishna Sudheer (2011) between one’s expectations of the job and rewards that studied the employee involvement and job satisfaction in the job provides. Dissatisfaction can lead to low level of Indian corporate sector. This study meant to find out the commitment towards the job and the organisation as a employee’s attitude towards job satisfaction and job whole. However, since satisfaction is subjective, involvement. The findings of the study show that the practically, it is not possible for any organisation to satisfy managerial level of employees has low level of all requirements of employees in total. The workers who satisfaction and engineers have low level of job are satisfied are the biggest asset of an organisation, involvement and supervisors have low level of whereas dissatisfied workers are the biggest liability. commitment towards the organisation. Therefore, job satisfaction plays a key role not only in Natarajan (2012) conducted a study in a public the happiness and prosperity of the individuals, but also sector organisation with an all India presence. This study in the progress and growth of the organisation as a whole. explored the relationship of personal and organisational The secret and success of every organisation are nothing values with job satisfaction. 220 participants from a large but sheer commitment, single minded dedication and public sector organisation were asked to rate on a 7 point sustained effort of its workers to effectuate organisational scale the 24 items value taxonomy developed by goals. The prime motive of a co-operative organisation McDonald and Gandz. Results revealed that perceived is to improve the livelihood of farmers through income organizational values emerge as potent predictor of all generation, rather than being profitable. Sustainability is the three components of job satisfaction as compared to the prime factor that an organisation should ensure for personal values. its progress.It can be achieved only through the better Samanvitha and Jawahar (2012) aimed at performance of workers who are contributing their determining and establishing a relationship between maximum potential towards work. strategic emotional intelligence and job satisfaction among KERAFED, the Kerala Kera Karshaka Internat. J. Com. & Bus. Manage., 13(1) April, 2020 : 1-8 2 HIND INSTITUTE OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Job satisfaction of workers of KERAFED Oil Complex, Karunagappally, Kollam Sahakarana Federation is the apex level co-operative Monetary variables: federation of coconut farmers in Kerala established in – Satisfaction with wages and retirement benefits the year 1987 with the brand name”KERA”. KERAFED – Job security and promotional benefits is playing a major role in the copra procurement and processing in our state by co-ordinating the farmers and Non- monetary variables: primary agricultural co-operative societies spread all over – Company and administrative policy the state. It was constituted with the objective of procuring – Quality of physical environment the produce of coconut farmers to regulate marketing – Working hours operations and offer them attractive support prices. The – Government policy first oil extraction unit was opened at Puthiyakavu, – Superiors managing ability Karunagappally as KERAFED Oil Complex in the year – Employees welfare activities 1991. The KERAFED Oil Complex produces various – Degree of participation value added products such as coconut oil, coconut milk – Interpersonal relationships powder, desiccated coconut and coconut cake. The study is an attempt to examine the job satisfaction of workers
Recommended publications
  • Volume 13, Number 1 January-June 2014
    Vol. 13, No. 1, January-June 2014 ISSN : 0973-0214 The Indian Agricultural Sciences ABSTRACTS Indian Council of Agricultural Research New Delhi Volume 13 Number 1 Vol. 13, No. 1 January-June 2014 The Indian Agricultural Sciences ABSTRACTS Published by Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture Indian Council of Agricultural Research Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan-I, Pusa, New Delhi 110012 Page 2 of 75 Volume 13 Number 1 Published : July 2015 Project Director (DKMA) : Dr Rameshwar Singh Compilation and Technical Editing : Hans Raj Information Systems Officer V.S. Kaushik Chief Technical Officer © 2015, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi Published by Dr Rameshwar Singh, Project Director, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan I, Pusa, New Delhi 110012 Page 3 of 75 Volume 13 Number 1 SAMPLE ENTRY 2 6 1 001 Paul, P.R.C.; Xavier, F.; Leena, A. (College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Trissur (India), Department, of Livestock Production Management) 3 Dairysoft: A computer programme for dairy farms. Indian 4 Journal of Animal Sciences (India). (Mar 2006).v. 76(3) p. 260-262 KEYWORDS: DAIRY FARMS; COMPUTER SOFTWARE 5 To exploit the full potential of dairy sector, a computerizd record management system dairysoft was developed. Visual Basis 6.0 was used as front end while MSAccess 97 was utilized as back end for the software. The menu base dairysoft was provided with facilities for obtaining necessary reports along with separate data entry options. 1. Entry number 2. Author(s) 3. Title in English 4. Source 5. Keywords 6. Organisation where work was carried out Page 4 of 75 Volume 13 Number 1 A50 Agricultural research 001 Anithakumari, P.; Central Plantation Crops Research Institute,Regional Station, Kayangulam (India).
    [Show full text]
  • Costs and Margins in Coconut Marketing: Some Evidence from Kerala
    Ind. in. ofAgri. Econ. Vol. 56, No. 4, Oct.-Dec. 2001 Costs and Margins in Coconut Marketing: Some Evidence from Kerala R. Ramakumar* This paper attempts to understand certain aspects of marketing of coconut in Kerala through a field survey in four districts. It tries to identify some of the major issues and then focuses on one of them, that is, the persistence of middlemen in the marketing channels and the margins that they obtain in the marketing process. It attempts an analysis of the costs and margins in various channels of trade and formulates a composite index of marketing efficiency for each channel. The study is arranged as follows. Section I introduces and highlights the problem at hand. Section II presents the analytical framework of the study. Section III deals with important features of coconut marketing in the study areas with special reference to the various marketing channels in the trade. Section IV presents the major findings of the study, i.e., the spread of marketing costs and marketing margins in these channels and the comparative efficiency in these channels with respect to selected indicators of marketing efficiency. Section V gives an account of the importance of and the experience with coconut marketing co-operatives in the state. Section VI presents a summary of the study and some policy suggestions. INTRODUCTION AND ISSUES Kerala is the largest producer of coconut and copra in India.' Though the area under coconut and production have increased over the years in Kerala, the productivity has remained stagnant (Narayana and Nair, 1989). It is noteworthy that the marginal increase in the area cultivated with coconut has been mainly due to the conversion of lands previously cultivated with paddy and tapioca (see Unni, 1983).
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the International Conference and Exposition on Coconut Development
    GOVERNMENT OF KERALA PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION ON COCONUT DEVELOPMENT NOVEMBER 2 AND 3, 2019 KOZHIKODE KERALA STATE PLANNING BOARD THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JUNE 2020 Preface The Government of Kerala and the Coconut Development Board, Government of India, jointly organised a two-day International Conference and Exposition on Coconut Development on November 2 and 3, 2019 at The Gateway Hotel, Kozhikode. The idea of the Conference was suggested by Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala in 2018. Kerala was affected by the worst floods of the century in August 2018 and we had to postpone this event. We rescheduled the event to August 17 and 18, 2019. However, the State faced a second extreme rainfall that year and we again had to postpone the event to November 2 and 3, 2019. All our speakers and participants have stood by us and accepted our invitation every time we rescheduled the event. We are grateful to all speakers and participants in the Conference. The objective of the Conference was to share experiences and expertise from India and other parts of the world. The Conference sought to study scientific and sustainable methods of improving productivity and income, strategies for industrial led growth, and establishing a new technological basis for that growth. The Conference and Expo received a message of greetings and advice from Professor M S Swaminathan through a video message. We were honoured to have Dr Uron N Salum, Executive Director of International Coconut Community, the leading organisation in the field of coconut, among us. We had speakers from China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
    [Show full text]
  • Oilcrops Monthly Price and Policy Update –
    OILSEEDS, OILS & MEALS MONTHLY PRICE AND POLICY UPDATE * No. 99, October 2017 a) Global price review strengthened mainly on concerns about unfavourable sowing conditions in South In September, all three FAO price indices trailing America, where plantings risk to be delayed the oilseed complex shifted upward. The indices because of pronounced dryness in Brazil and for oilseeds and oilmeals, which fell in the month excessive rains in Argentina. Continued strong of August, rose by respectively 1.7 and 4.4 points, import demand for soybeans, in particular by or about 1 and 3 percent. The vegetable oil price China, also supported world prices. On the other index recorded an increase of 7.4 points (or 4.5 hand, price gains were capped by further upward percent), rising for the second month in revisions – based on higher yield estimates – in succession and marking a 7-month high. the official soybean production forecast for the Compared to last year, the oilseeds and oilmeal United States. Regarding other oilcrops, indices fared somewhat below the values recorded international quotations for rapeseed rose for the in September 2016, whereas the vegetable oil third consecutive month, primarily reflecting index matched the level observed 12 months ago. deteriorated production prospects in Australia and Ukraine, which amplified prevailing concerns The upward turn in the oilseed and oilmeal about tight global availabilities during the indices primarily reflects developments in the 2017/18 season. international soybean market. Quotations for soybeans, and even more so soymeal, – cont’d on next page – * The Monthly Price and Policy Update, or MPPU, is an information product provided by the oilseeds desk of the Trade and Markets Division of FAO.
    [Show full text]
  • CHAPTER-VI MARKETING of COCONUT and RUBBER Coconut
    CHAPTER-VI MARKETING OF COCONUT AND RUBBER Coconut marketing in India and Kerala The depression in the International market and surplus stock of NR in the domestic market blocked the recovery of Indian NR market during 2000-01. Not withstanding a marginal improvement in the market during the last quarter, the prices continued to rule at low levels during 2001-02 also the annul average price of RSS4 grade rubber in Kottayam market was Rs. 3036 per 100 kg during 2000-01 and Rs. 3228 during 2001-02. In Kuala Lumpur market, the annual average price of the RSS 3 grade rubber, regarded by the tyre companies as uneqivalent to Indian RSS 4, was Rs. 2958 per 100 kg during 2000-01 and Rs. 2793 during 2001-02. When the price in the domestic market continued its downward movement, the government of India intervened in the domestic market by procuring rubber though the State Trading Corporation of India Ltd., (STC) during the period from August 1997 to April 2001. In the first phase of procurement from August 1997 to March 1998 STC procured 9,596 tonnes. In the second phase, it procured 19,831 tonnes during September 1998 to October 1999. The quantity procured from the market in the third phase of the procurement from March 2000 to October 2000 was 20,000 tonnes. STC was authorized to procure another 20,000 tones in October 2000. However, the total quanity procured during the fourth phase of operation was only 5,260 tonnes. These were sold to the advanced licensed holders at International prices.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on Coconut Development Board
    Coconut Development Board Dhanuraj D CCS RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PAPERS 2004 Centre for Civil Society K-36 Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi 110016 Tel: 2653 7456/ 2652 1882 Fax: 2651 2347 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ccsindia.org INTRODUCTION Coconut is grown in 92 countries in the world. Global production of coconut is 51 billion nuts from an area of 12 million hectares. The four major players; India, Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka contribute 78% of the world production. India at present is the premier producer of coconut with maximum productivity at the global level. India is of the leading producers of coconuts in the world producing 13 billion nuts per annum. Coconut area is distributed in 18 states and three Union Territories. This geographical area has 3000 years’ tradition in coconut cultivation. There are millions of farmers linked with this sector directly or indirectly. Large numbers of farmer’s co-operative societies are in primary processing and marketing different coconut products. Government agencies such as Kerafed, State Trading Corporation, Kerala State Marketing Federation and Karnataka State Marketing Federation are in manufacturing and marketing of branded coconut oil in small packs. India has been known as the producer of best grade milling copra in the world yielding high-grade coconut oil known for its aroma and flavour. There are hundreds of reputed and established private firms in manufacturing and marketing of various coconut products including branded coconut oil in small packs. There are wide ranges of coconut products both edible and non-edible available for both domestic and export market.
    [Show full text]
  • KERALA KERAKARSHAKA SAHAKARANA FEDERATION LTD NO 4370 (KERAFED), Kera Tower, Water Works Compound, Vellayambalam, Vikas Bhavan (P.O), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
    KERALA KERAKARSHAKA SAHAKARANA FEDERATION LTD NO 4370 (KERAFED), Kera Tower, Water Works Compound, Vellayambalam, Vikas Bhavan (P.O), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. PIN – 695 033. Tel: 0471 – 2320504, 2321660, 2321046, 2326209. Fax : 0471 - 2326298. E-mail : [email protected] , Website : www.kerafed.com Tender Document for Selection of experienced consultants comprises of Chartered Accountants, Chartered Accountant firms/LLP jointly with Certified Tally implementation Agency as Total Consultants (Technical and Financial) for Management of existing customised Oracle based Accounting software and conversion to Tally ERP9 software for various units of KERAFED and its consolidation and its maintenance till March 2021. 1 KERALA KERAKARSHAKA SAHAKARANA FEDERATION LTD NO 4370 Name of Work: - Selection of experienced consultants comprises of Chartered Accountants ,Chartered Accountant firms/LLP jointly with Certified Tally implementation Agency as Total Consultants (Technical and Financial) for Management of existing Oracle based customised Accounting software and conversion to Tally ERP9 software for various units of KERAFED and its consolidation and its maintenance till March 2021. INDEX Sl.No Description Page No. 1 Advertisement 3 2 Notice Inviting tender 4 3 Kerala Kera Karshaka Sahakarana Federation Limited (KERAFED). 6 4 Selection of Total Consultant – objective 6 5 Scope of work by the Total Consultant 7 6 Eligibility 8 7 Instructions & Guidelines 9 8 Evaluation Criteria 10 9 Award of work 10 10 Schedule of payments 11 11 Application form for Selection 12 12 Organization Details (Annexure I) 13 13 Details of the Certified Tally Agency (Annexure-II) 14 14 List of Consultancy assignments completed in the last Ten years 15 (Annexure III) 15 Undertaking (Annexure IV) 16 16 Details to be submitted in the covering letter (Annexure V) 17 17 Preliminary Agreement – (Annexure-VI) 18 18 Format for Financial Bid – (Annexure – VII) 20 2 1.
    [Show full text]
  • INDIAN EXPERIENCE by VT Markose Abstract Till 1975, Import of Copra Or
    DOMESTIC MARKETING OF COCONUT PRODUCTS - INDIAN EXPERIENCE by V.T. Markose Abstract Till 1975, import of copra or coconut oil into India in substantial quantities was a regular feature. During the eighties, the quantum of import of coconut products into the country declined considerably. During the last 5 years, the import has been quite insignificant. Except for the by-product-coir, all other major coconut products such as copra, coconut, desiccated coconut and coconut oil do not figure in the export of coconut products. Domestic market for coconut products is so vast that demand for coconut and coconut products is country-wide in spite of the fact that concentration of the crop is confined to the littoral states in the country. Domestic market for coconut products consists of a chain of intermediaries such as village merchants, commission agents, brokers and wholesalers or dealers, especially for the trade in coconut, copra and coconut oil. Of late, there is a tendency to bypass the intermediaries in certain fields so that the farmers are assured of remunerative price for coconut. This is all the more significant in the case of the major coconut growing state in India, namely Kerala, where processing of coconut to copra or the trade in copra is organised through village co-operatives formed for this purpose and the co-operative market the produce to the apex body namely, KERAFED, a Government Agency which operates in such as way that the farmer is protected against crash in coconut prices. Price stabilization measures such as * * Chief Coconut Development Officer, Coconut Development Board, Cochin, India.
    [Show full text]
  • Excise Manual Volume Ii
    KERALA EXCISE MANUALVOLUME II REVISED-2018 KERALA EXCISE MANUAL VOLUME II REVISED-2018 FOREWORD This manual is designed only to be a guide and a ready reckoner to all officers and staff of the Department in carrying out their duties efficiently and properly. This volume (Volume II) contains general instructions regarding the working of the Department and a background information about the subjects dealt within the Department. The Technical aspects of the distillery, brewery etc. have also been incorporated in this volume. Utmost care has been taken to include correct and up to date information in this manual based on Act and Rules. If any content of this manual found to be repugnant to the provisions of the Acts and Rules, the provisions of Acts and Rules shall prevail over this manual. While recommending printing of the manual, I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation of the work done by senior officers of this Department in preparing this manual in addition to their normal duties. Suggestions for the improvement of the manual are always welcome and will be given due consideration by the Department. Rishi Raj Singh, I.P.S., Excise Commissioner. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapters Page I History of Administration 4 II Constitutional provisions relating to the control, taxation of liquors, etc 12 III Excise Revenue – source and provisions of the Act 13 IV Set up of the Department – Hierarchy and discipline 20 V Liquor 43 VI Foreign Liquor 46 VII Excise Duty-Procedure for levy 55 VIII Gallonage Fee and Vending Fee 59 IX Foreign liquor
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights of the Year 2019-20
    ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR 2019-20 Programmes Expansion of Area under Coconut Additionally brought an area of 6365.90 hectares under coconut by extending financial assistance of ` 284.88 lakh benefiting 13578 farmers. Replanting and Rejuvenation of old Coconut Gardens The scheme was implemented in the States of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Nagaland, Mizoram, UTs of Puducherry, A & N Islands and Lakshadweep. An amount of ` 6049.55 lakh was released to the State Governments for implementing the scheme covering an area of 13614.84 ha. Technology Mission on Coconut An amount of ` 995.39 lakh was released under “Technology Mission on Coconut” for development, demonstration and adoption of technology and market promotional activities. 30 new coconut processing units were sanctioned for establishment with total investment of ` 7149.95 lakh, with a subsidy support of ` 822.50 lakh from TMoC out of which 6 are ball copra units, 5 desiccated coconut powder manufacturing units, 4 activated carbon manufacturing unit, 3 shell charcoal briquetting unit, 2 integrated coconut processing units, 2 frozen shredded and grated coconut manufacturing unit, 2 virgin coconut oil manufacturing unit, 2 coconut oil manufacturing unit, 2 tender coconut water processing unit, 1 spray dried coconut milk powder manufacturing unit and 1 copra making unit. 30 units will add value to 750.686 million nuts per year. Research Projects Four new research projects on “Mission mode programme on the management of coconut Rugose
    [Show full text]
  • Original File Was Macros/Macros.Tex
    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Sportel, T., & Véron, R. (2016). Coconut Crisis in Kerala? Mainstream Narrative and Alternative Perspectives. Development and Change, 47(5), 1051-1077, which has been published in final form at doi.org/10.1111/dech.12260. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. Coconut Crisis in Kerala? Mainstream Narrative and Alternative Perspectives Terah Sportel Department of Geography and the Environment, University of the Fraser Valley, Canada René Véron Institute of Geography and Sustainability, University of Lausanne, Switzerland 1 Coconut Crisis in Kerala? Mainstream Narrative and Alternative Perspectives ABSTRACT India’s oilseeds sector, of which the coconut economy is part, experienced drastic changes in the wake of agricultural liberalization in the mid–1990s. A persistent coconut crisis ‘narrative’ emerged after sharp prices declines in 2000–02 in which small farmers in the state of Kerala, India’s main coconut producer, were identified as victims from the liberalized importation of cheap palm oil. This paper describes this crisis narrative based on a literature review of academic and official reports, and it challenges its problem analysis juxtaposing it with information from ethnographic research with local farmers and traders. The research indicates that local labour shortages and increased regional competition also had a strong impact on Kerala’s coconut development, which varied from region to region. Furthermore, small farmers with their diversified livelihoods did not recognize a ‘crisis’ as such. Drawing upon the ‘advocacy coalition framework’, the paper also indicates reasons for the emergence and persistence of the coconut crisis narrative and it points to complex processes of restructuring social space in the age of globalization.
    [Show full text]
  • Efficiency Structure of Co-Operative Agricultural Marketing Societies - a Case Study of Coconut Marketing Societies of Kerala State
    1 Efficiency Structure of Co-operative Agricultural Marketing Societies - A Case Study of Coconut Marketing Societies of Kerala State Dr. Kaneez Fatima Sadriwala Assistant Professor at College of Economics, Management and Information System, University of Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman Dr. Ayoob.C.P. Assistant Professor at College of Economics, Management and Information System, University of Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman. Abstract One of the peculiar features of the Kerala's coconut sector is that it is cultivated in homestead land and most of the growers are tiny or marginal farmers. Coconut marketing here is unorganized. It is cultivated in an area of 9.36 lakh ha, which is about 50 per cent of the total area under coconut cultivation in India. The annual production of coconut in the State is 5,496 million nuts, which is 44.00 per cent of the total production in the country. Lack of irrigation is one of the major reasons attributed to the low level of productivity of coconut in Kerala State. Scarcity of irrigation water is also considered as one of the major constraints in resource use management in coconut farming in Kerala. This paper attempts to examine the efficiency structure of co-operative marketing societies which are involved in the coconut marketing in Kerala. In cooperative organizations efficiency structure contains a combination of different factors such as financial performance of the societies, membership strength and their attitude towards the society, procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, Input supply, infrastructure supply, Link with apex body etc,. Key Words: Cooperatives, coconut, marketing, efficiency structure, marketing societies, unorganized marketing, Kerela coconut sector.
    [Show full text]