K M I P

Preface

Scheduled Tribe Development Department in collaboration with Rubber Board initiated two Rubber Cultivation Schemes in the tribal areas. The two schemes are Tribal Development Rubber Plantation Programme (TDRPP) and All Kerala Tribal Development Rubber Plantation Programmes (AKTDRPP). The Department utilised SCA to TSP funds for the scheme. The objectives of the programme were raising the economic status of the tribals and increasing natural rubber production. This study is confined to TDRPP in the Scheduled Tribe Settlements of Achencoil and Kuttappara. The study reveals that there has been substantial increase in income and employment opportunities of the Scheduled Tribes in the selected settlements. Though the rubber cultivation scheme turned out to be a viable proposition benefiting the tribals, a few discernible trends affecting its sustainability were also noted. Some of the tribals have leased out the rubber plantations orally to middlemen and are being exploited by them. The income from rubber cultivation of those who have not leased/disposed of rubber plantations was found to be much higher than those who leased out to middlemen.

The Study has been undertaken by the Evaluation Division under the direction of Sri. K.G. Isac ( Joint Director, S.G ). Sri. Vijayakumar, Research Assistant has put in hard work in the conduct of surveys, tabulation and drafting the Report. The overall supervision and guidance was provided by Dr. S.Venkiteswaran, Chief (Evaluation) of the State Planning Board. I thank the Director, Scheduled Tribe Development Department for having provided requisite data and for extending the services of Scheduled Tribe Volunteers in the collection of field data in the selected S.T. Settlements. The findings of the Study will be useful while planning similar schemes in future.