The plantation sector plays an integral role in the economy of three southern States, viz., Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka which together accounts for almost one fifth of the total tea output and practically the entire production of coffee, naturalrubber and spices. South India accounts for 64% of the growers and 48% of workers engaged in plantation activities all over India. To be specific - 12.30 lakh growers of which most of them are small and marginal, cultivate plantation crops in 11.57 lakhhectares providing round the year permanent employment to 10.82 lakh workers majority of whom are women from lower strata of the society. Plantations, in fact has been supporting the workers from the same family for many generations thus ensuring job security. Further, plantations play a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance and conserving flora and fauna of the Western Ghats.
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