15th Five-Year Plan to prioritise employment generation, agricultural revival: Minister

(From left) M.K. Raghavan, MP, Kerala State Planning Board vice-chairperson K.M. Chandrasekhar, and Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar at a workshop organised as part of the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan in Kozhikode on Friday. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2027–32) will prioritise employment generation and the agricultural sector, Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar has said. He was inaugurating a workshop organised by the State Planning Board as part of the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan in Kozhikode on Friday (November 13).

The Minister said that departing from the previous practice, the State government would formulate the plan by incorporating ideas and suggestions gathered through district-level consultations involving the public and people’s representatives.

He pointed out that Keralam had decided to continue with the Five-Year Plan approach even after other States abandoned the system following the 12th Plan. The planning model had laid the foundation for the agricultural revolution, poverty eradication, and industrial growth, he said.

Mr. Kumar said the objective of the new plan was to evolve a development model for a ‘New Keralam’ by integrating economic growth, social justice, technological advancement, and environmentally sustainable development.

Given the prevailing global situation, the State could no longer depend solely on foreign remittances and government employment for its economic progress. The 15th Plan would accord priority to creating local employment opportunities under the leadership of local self-government institutions and promoting enterprises of various scales, he said.

“A strong revival of the agricultural sector is essential, and Keralam needs to address its production deficit compared with neighbouring States,” he added.

The Minister said Keralam was the only State in the country that earmarked funds for panchayats as part of the State Budget. Local bodies should explore development opportunities beyond their plan funds and own funds. They should also ensure that the allocated funds were fully utilised within the stipulated time instead of postponing expenditure until the end of the financial year, he said.

Besides the sub-plans for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the present United Democratic Front (UDF) government has also formulated a special scheme for fisherfolk, who faced considerable hardships, Mr. Kumar said. The 15th Plan would also give special attention to women’s empowerment and increasing their participation in the workforce, he said.

The government had taken steps, including through new legislative initiatives such as ‘SARAL’, to ensure that industrial investors could obtain all necessary clearances within a few days, the Minister added.

V.K. Fyzal Babu, MLA, presided.

Published - November 13, 2026 08:04 pm IST