The plantation sector must embrace Information Technology to enhance its competitiveness, ensuring sustainability and quality in response to evolving consumer demands, said Ajoy Thippaiah, the newly inducted president of the United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI).

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Association of Planters of Kerala, Thippaiah emphasized the need to maximize the potential of IT across the sector's operations. Investing in soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, and renewable energy would enable planters to implement more effective models for climate-smart agriculture.

Natural rubber production in Kerala remained strong, contributing 74 per cent of the national output with 647,500 tonnes. The average price of Rs. 199.85 per kg marked the best realisation in years.

Meanwhile, cardamom production dropped 20 per cent to 18,310 tonnes due to El Nino-related drought and poor productivity, though an encouraging price surge to Rs. 2,627 per kg offered a silver lining. Coffee production increased modestly to 72,825 metric tonnes; however, Kerala's shrinking share of the national output highlights the sector's urgent need to maintain competitiveness.