Stakeholders welcome Palmyra Development Corporation, seek implementation at grassroot level
The Tamil Nadu government has launched the Palmyra Development Corporation to support palm-based livelihoods, receiving cautious optimism from stakeholders. Workers emphasize that the corporation must focus on grassroots awareness and active enrollment to ensure benefits reach the intended palm climbers.
Why it matters
Effective implementation of this corporation could significantly improve the economic welfare of marginalized rural workers in the palm sector.
An initiative to establish Tamil Nadu Palmyra Development Corporation with an allocation of ₹16 crore has received a mixed response, with associations welcoming the move while stakeholders associated with the sector calling for its effective implementation to ensure tangible benefits for palm climbers and others dependent on palmyra-based livelihood.
Thoothukudi district has a sizable population that is dependent on palm-based livelihood, particularly in the regions including Udangudi, Anthoniyarpuram, Vilathikulam, Ettayapuram and Vembar.
Arasakumar, whose family has a background in palm climbing and who hails from Vembar welcomed the initiative, but stressed that the corporation should be implemented in a manner that directly benefits palm climbers and traders. He said that although some societies exist for the palm farmers, many of them are inactive and a large number of palm climbers are unaware of them.
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