Publication

Abstract : This Chapter explores the the potential gender impacts of the trade reforms in plantation agriculture in the emerging context of the two prominent FTAs, namely the Indo-ASEAN and the proposed EU–India FTA. While critically reviewing the trajectories of development of the plantation sector especially since the post-colonial period, the chapter explores the potential implications of the Indo-ASEAN and EU–India FTAs on the trade performance of the plantation sub-sectors and their implications on livelihoods (and hence on inclusive development) of the small and marginal producers and women workers. The chapter also discusses the policy imperatives for revamping the plantation sub-sectors to be more competitive globally, which invariably calls for devising more labour and gender-sensitive and socially responsive production and management strategies in the face of challenges of labour shortages as well as the dwindling labour support systems. Given the critical roles played by women in the plantation production and processing activities, it is observed that any serious setbacks in the production sector as caused by India’s increased engagements with FTAs may further worsen the otherwise deprived socio-economic status of women plantation workers in particular.