Coconut Phenology and Yield Response to Climate Variability and Change

The present investigation on ���Coconut Phenology and Yield Response to Climate Variability and Change��� was undertaken at the experimental site, at the Regional Station, Coconut Development Board, KAU Campus, Vellanikkara. Ten palms each of eight-year-old coconut cultivars viz., Tiptur Tall, Kuttiadi (WCT), Kasaragod (WCT) and Komadan (WCT) were randomly selected.The study therefore, reinforces our traditional knowledge that the coconut palm is sensitive to changing weather conditions during the period from primordium initiation to harvest of nuts (about 44 months). Absence of rainfall from December to May due to early withdrawal of northeast monsoon, lack of pre monsoon showers and late onset of southwest monsoon adversely affect the coconut productivity to a considerable extent in the following year under rainfed conditions. The productivity can be increased by irrigating the coconut palm during the dry periods.Increase in temperature, aridity index, number of severe summer droughts and decline in rainfall and moisture index were the major factors for a marginal decline or stagnation in coconut productivity over a period of time, though various developmental schemes were in operation for sustenance of coconut production in the State of Kerala. It can be attributed to global warming and climate change. Therefore, there is a threat to coconut productivity in the ensuing decades due to climate variability and change. In view of the above, there is an urgent need for proactive measures as a part of climate change adaptation to sustain coconut productivity in the State of Kerala.The coconut productivity is more vulnerable to climate variability such as summer droughts rather than climate change in terms of increase in temperature and decline in rainfall, though there was a marginal decrease (1.6%) in the decade of 1981-2009 when compared to that of 1951-80. This aspect needs to be examined in detail by coconut development agencies such as Coconut Development Board and State Agriculture Department for remedial measures. Otherwise, the premier position of Kerala in terms of coconut production is likely to be lost in the ensuing years under the projected climate change scenario. Among the four cultivars studied, Tiptur Tall appears to be superior in terms of reproduction phase and nut yield. This needs to be examined by the coconut breeders in their crop improvement programme as a part of stress tolerant under rainfed conditions. Crop mix and integrated farming are supposed to be the best combination to sustain development in the long run under the projected climate change scenarios. Increase in coconut area under irrigation during summer with better crop management and protection measures also are necessary measures to increase coconut productivity since the frequency of intensity of summer droughts is likely to increase under projected global warming scenario.

Impact of Gulf Money with Particular Reference to Chowghat, Trichur District,Kerala

The problems associated with emigration, inward remittances and economic development of Herala have not received ample attention. Kerala depends much on the inward remittances sent by Keralites employed abroad. It is a State that experience chronic unemployment problem. Emigration cannot provide a lasting solution to the problem of unemployment since its direction is governed mainly by the social, political and ecnonomic factors of the host countries. The present study is an attempt to focus attention on the major problems associated with emigration from Kerala. It also tries to deal with the issues involved in diverting the inward remittances to the development of the state which has some vital policy implications The problems associated with emigration, inward remittances and economic development of Herala have not received ample attention. Kerala depends much on the inward remittances sent by Keralites employed abroad. It is a State that experience chronic unemployment problem. Emigration cannot provide a lasting solution to the problem of unemployment since its direction is governed mainly by the social, political and ecnonomic factors of the host countries. The present study is an attempt to focus attention on the major problems associated with emigration from Kerala. It also tries to deal with the issues involved in diverting the inward remittances to the development of the state which has some vital policy implications Investment proepect of non~resident Keralites is the theme oi Chapter VIII. It examines the various measures taken to promote industrial development by attracting non~resident investment tc industrial ventures. Chapter IX diecusses the future of emigration from Kerale especially in the light of declining international oil prices. It also deals with the role o�� emigration as a safety valve t: the chronic problem of unemployment in Kerala. The last Chapter presents the summary and conclusions of the study

Environmentally-Efficient Development Management System for Greater Kochi in Kerala State

The School of Management Studies, CUSAT

Development Planning at the State Level in India - A Case Study with Reference to Kerala, 1957-'84

This thesis entitled ���Development planning at the state level in india a case study with reference to kerala1957-84.Planning in India is a concurrent subject with the Centre and the States having well-defined domains of jurisdiction with regard to planning functions and sources of resource mobilisation.The genesis of the lack of academic interest in state level planning is in the widely held belief that in the extent scheme of Centre-State economic relations, the states have little scope for initiative in planning.Both at the theoretical and empirical levels, Kerala has attached very great importance to planning.It has been the localeof wide and deep discussions on the various dimensions of planning.In Kerala's development process, the leading sector consists of social services such as education and public healthOne point that needs special emphasis in this regard is that the high demand for education in Kerala cannot be attributed to the Keralites' ���unique urge��� for education. Rather, it is related to the very high level of unemployment in the state (Kerala has the highest level of unemployment in the country.In resource allocation under the Five Year Plans, Kerala attached the highest weightage to power generation, hydro-electric projects being the major source of power in the state. Nearly one-fourth of the plan resources has been claimed by hydro-electric projects.In the agricultural sector, Kera1a's level of productive use of electric power is one of the lowest.As is evident.from above, planning in Kerala has not enabled us to solve the basic problems of the state. More 'scientific' planning in the sense of applying mre sophisticated planning techniques is obviously not the answer. It, on the contrary, consists of more fundamental changes some of which can be brought about through an effective use of measures well within the power of the State Government.

Environmentally-Efficient Development Management System for Greater Kochi in Kerala State���

The base concept from which the entire research problem emerged is as follows: Lack of spatial planning and effective development management system lead to urban sprawl with non-optimal density of population to support urban infrastructure on the one side causing a lesser quality of life in urban areas. On the other side it causes loss of productivity of natural ecosystems and agricultural areas due to disturbance to the ecosystems. Planned compact high density development with compatible mixed land use can go a long way in achieving environmental efficiency of development management system.

The impact of the working of the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation in the development of the bamboo industry in Kerala

Cochin University of Science & Technology