PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD.

, KOTTAYAM

1.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION India is an agricultural country. One third of the population depends on agriculture directly. Agriculture forms the backbone of the Indian industry and despite contentrated industrialization in the last 4 dacades. Rubber plantation industry plays an important role in the Indian economy in terms of output and employment. India is the 4th largest producer of rubber. In Kerala there are two sector of plantations. They are private sector and public, 80% of plantations are in private sector and 20% in public sector. The plantation under the Government is owned by Kerala Forest Development Corporation Ltd; Oil Palm India Ltd; The Plantation Corporation of Kerala Ltd; Kerala Agriculture Development Kerala Forest Department and Rubber Board. The plantation corporation working under the ministry of agriculture is the largest plantation company. The company was incorporated in 1962 with an authorized share capital of 75 million. PCK concentrated all efforts on the large scale cultivation of plantation crops. The major plantations are rubber, cashew and oilpalm in addition some are planted with cinnamon, pepper coconut teak wood and other commercial trees. PCK is one of the major producers of high quality concentrated Latex in India. It also producers Block Rubber as per ISI specification. The company has 12 Estates spread over pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikod, Kannur, Kasarkode District. The company owned 3 rubber factories and one rubber wood factory. The corporation has diversified its activities and identified the potential of farm tourism and eco tourism in the sport of scientific beauty in its plantations located in different part of the state. All these activities are controlled from the corporations Head office at Kottayam. The administration is done by the M.D under the control of the Board of Directors and the chairman. The Head Office is divided into seprate department such as marketing, personnel, administration, purchase, Engineering and Finance and Accounting.

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1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY A study of plantation corporation of Kerala Ltd. is an organizational study mainly based on primary and secondary data. The study has been designed with the following objectives. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. To analyse the performance of the organization. To understand all the departments and its activities at PCK Ltd. To know the organizational structure and job profile of the departments. To identify the strength, weakness, oppertunity and threat faced by PCK Ltd. To draw conclusions and its performance and its activities. To give appropriate suggestions.

The main objective of Plantation Corporation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. To establish rubber plantation. To establish cashew plantations. To cultivate plantation crops such as oil palms and other food crops. To cultivate spice crops. To carry on rubber processing and wood processing.

1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The study is mainly based on the details collected from each department. It provides a better understanding at functional level of each department ie., Sales Department, Engineering, Production, Purchase, Personnel, Finance and Accounting. Each and every activities of the company is studied very carefully with the data available. Apart from that, of gained knowledge of the functioning of different departments and their inter relatonship with each other. This study helped in to familiarize myself with the cashew-oil palm etc.

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1.4 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY Research Methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a science of studying how research id done scientifically. According to clifford woody research comprises defining and redefing problems formulating hypothesis or suggested solution, collecting organizing evaluating date, making deductions and reaching conclusions and at last carefully testing the conclusion to determine whether they fill the formulating hypothesis and informal investigation. The data can be collected through primary and secondary sources. Primary data are to be collected by direct interview method. Secondary data are collected from the annual report of the organisation company records and other published articles. The collected data are analyzed and tabulated, presented with the help of various statistial techniques. 1.5DURATION OF THE STUDY The duration of the study was over a periods of one month dated 3-5-2010 to 31-5-2010. 1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY 1. 2. Time constraint is a major limitations of of the study Lack of enough information of the secondary data is also the limitation of the study 3. During the project study, there several problems such as unwillingness to respond and lesser Co-operations from respondents during data

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2.1 INDUSTRY PROFILE

India is the fourth biggest producer and customer of Natural Rubber in the world. Despite the near total predominance of small holders in natural rubber production India can take pride in having the highest productivity. Rubber is also the best crop compared to all other major crops in terms of production, growth, area expansion and productivity. The rubber growers here have also getting the best, prices in the world especially at farm rate. Since it commercial beginning in 1902 the rubber plantation industry in India had made significant strides in terms of growth in area, productivity and production. Considerable expansion of area during the 1950's and 1960's in Kerala, which accounts for 92% of natural production in India. Kerala together with Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu is the traditional rubber growing region in the country. To meet the increasing demand for the rubber in the country, the commercial cultivation of this crop was extended beyond the traditional region; especially to the north east from 1960's onwards the traditional are now accounts for 88% of the area under rubber. Through the manufacture of rubber based products started in India as early as in 1922. till the middle of 1930's the industry was not enough to absorb the entire volume of natural rubber produced in the country, thereafter owing to a host of promotional features, the situation changed and the plantation industry which was mainly export oriented until the middle of 1930's gradually found the domestic market sufficient. When the absorptive capacity of the domestic manufacturing sector was further expanded, supply was formed insufficient to meet the industries requirements and by 1947 India become a net importer of natural rubber. Apart from consumer synthetic rubber also. Natural rubber together with synthetic rubber is termed as a customer. In India natural rubber is preferred customer while natural has only a-share of 40%, in the global customer consumption in India.

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RUBBER
Heveabrasiliensis is the important commercial source of natural rubber-a product of vital importance recovered from latex. Natural rubber however, has been found in the latex of over 2000 species of plants belonging to 311 genera of 79 families. The minor sources of natural rubber are mnihotglaziovli (Euphorbiaceae) ficus (Moraceae) Parthenium argentum and taraxvumkosaghyz (Compositae) in addition, many other species like Euphoria intisy . (Eurphobiaceace) Cryptostegia, C. madagascariensis (Asdepiadaceae).Furtumiaelastica, Landolphiasp (Apocyanaceae) etc, have been experimented as possible minor sources of natural rube. Of these, parthenium argentum, from which guayule rubber is obtained, is now gaining some importance. Haveabrasiliensis HaveaBrasiliensis is a native of the Amazon River basin of South America. It was introduced to tropical Asia in 1876 through Kew Garden in UK with the seeds brought from Brazil by Sir Henry Wickham. The tree is now grown in the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. The rubber tree is sturdy, quick and tall. It grows in many types of soil provided the soils are deep and well drained. A warm humid Equable climate (21c to 35c) and a fairly distributed annual rainfall of not less than 200cm are necessary for the optimum growth of this plant. The tree however grows successfully under slightly varying conditions also. Rubber trees have as well developed tap root and laterals. The bark on tapping yields latex is responsible for the increase in girth of the tree, including bark renewal. The young plants show characteristic growth pattern of alternating periods of rapid elongation and consolidated development. The leaves are trifoliate, with long stalks. Normal annual leaf fall, knows as wintering occurs in the case of natural trees during the period of December to February in South India, in south India re foliation and flowering follow wintering. Some trees may occasionally show seasonal flowering during September - October also. Pollination by insects, the fruits may Page5

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mature about five months after fertilization. They are seeded and burst, scattering to 15 to 18 meters. The seeds weight to 4 to 6 gm. The posses a hard brown coat having characteristic mottling. Seeds of seedling seeds and different clones vary in size, shape, weight, and seed coat markings. But the seeds belongings to a clone have characteristic size, shape and seed coat mottling which are helpful in their identification.The seed contains an oily endosperm. Generally 37 percent of the seed is shell and 63 percent kernel by weight. The oil content of air dried kernel is about 47 percent.

METHODS OF PROPAGATION BY SEEDS

In south India, seeds have a normally ripen in July - September and during these months they are collected and seedling raised all the earlier plantations in South and South East Asia are raised form unselected seeds. They yield potential of these trees being low, the production was poor in these plantations. Selection work on Hevea with a view to improving the planting materials and the introduction of vegetative propagation by budding led, in course of time, to the establishment of numerous valuable clones. Clonal seeds collected from approved polyclonal seed gardens are the only recommended seed material of planting. For production of good polyclonal seeds, gardens have been established in Kanyakumari District. Seeds are picked up every day during the seed fall season. Seeds can be collected by harvesting fruits at the yellow brown colour stage and breaking them.

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GERMINATION OF CLONAL SEEDS

Seeds should be germinated before planting on specially made germination beds. The viability of rubber seeds being short, it is necessary to sow the seeds for germinations soon as they are obtained. Levels beds with a layer of river sand about 5cm in thick needs and of convenient size and shapes with 90 cm width are generally made for seed germination. The surface of the germination bed should be raised to 1015 cm to avoid water logging. Partial shade may be provided to prevent exposure to strong sun. The seeds are sown in a single layer touching one another and pressed firmly into the sand, with the surface of the seed just visible above. The germination bed should be in a moist, but not wet state by evenly sprinkling water during early morning and late evening. The beds may be covered with loosely woven coir mattering or gunny bags. Too dry and too wet conditions are undesirable. Germination starts within 6 to 7 days after sowing. Seeds sprouted each day should be picked and planted in the nursery or in the fields are the case may be germinated seeds should be planted when young shoots has just emerged and before the young shoots started developing. Delay in transplanting increases the chances of damage the tender roots. Germinated seeds must be carefully handled.

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NURSERIES
As far possible level land should be selected for raising nursery in sloping areas beds should be made along the counters. Proximity to a perennial water source will facilitate watering. However waterlogged areas should be avoided. The water table should be at least 60 cm below to allow good taproot development. To avoid shading, an unplanted area of 20 m or more from the near by stand of rubber or natural vegetation may be allowed. Well drained fertile soil is desirable for raising nurseries.The first step in the preparation of the nursery is digging the soil to a depth of 75 cm and removing all stumps and stones, Beds should be prepared with 60 to 120 cm width and or convenient length, with pathways laid in between to facilitate maturing, watering, weeding etc. Nurseries are laid for seedlings, budded plants and bud wood. The planting distances vary according to the type of planting materials raised in the nursery. Common space adopted for raising seedlings stumps are 20x30 cm. 30x30 cm and 34x20cm. Those for budded stumps are 30x 30 cm or staggered pairs of rows 60cm apart and 23 cm between plants. For stumped budding the common spacing is 60 x 60 cm and for budwood nurseries 60 x 90 cm of 60x120 cm. For planting a long cord or wire with the planting distances marked on it is used. It is held tight on the row markers and the germinated seeds are planted at each mark a long the line.Nursery management aims at the most rapid production of standard healthy planting material. More intensive care can be exercised in a nursery than in a field. Plants which are obviously suitable can be eliminated at an early stage. Regular weeding should be carried out. Mulching between rows will be beneficial effects on moisture conservation, soil improvement and weed control. Natural materials such as undergrowth from forests and grass cutting after drying are commonly used for mulching.

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PROPAGATION BY BUD - GRAFTING

Bud grafting consists of insertion of a bark, containing a dormant but under the bark of young seedling and bandaging the same. Transparent polythene tapes are commonly used for bandaging. The bandage should be firm enough to prevent rain water from reaching the bud. The tissues of bud patch and the seedling become firmly united within three or four weeks after grafting. Subsequently, when the seedling stem is swan off above the grafted portion but sprouts and grows out to form the new shoot with the characters of the mother plant. This gives rise to a two part tree.Depending on the colour and age of buds two types of budding are recognized:- brown budding, green budding and crown budding. Brown budding Brown budding is earned out by grafting buds taken from bud wood of about one year's growth on to stock plants of 10 months or more growth. Vigorously growing healthy stock seedling having a girth of about 7.5 cm at the base are ideal for budding, Bud wood is collected from plants maintained in bud wood nurseries.Buds found in the axils of fallen leaves are generally used normally, 1-2 meters of bud wood can be obtain from a bud wood plant of one years growth. Bud wood should be cut and used immediately as far as possible. When cutting the bud wood, provision may be left for the development of one to two good shoots for then next season. From one meter of bud wood about 20 buds can be obtained. In south India, budding is best done during the wet months. Budding can be done at anytime if the bark of the stock seedling and bud wood has peeling quality.

Green budding
Both the stock plant and bud wood used for green budding are young. Vigorous seedling of two to eight months age, with a girth of about 2.5 cm, having brown bark up to a height of about 1.5 cm are used as stocks of 6 to 8 weeks growth harvested from specially raised source bushes. Buds seen in the axel of

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scale leaves alone are used for grafting. Though green budding can be carried out at any time of the year, too wet weather is unsuitable. Generally green budded stamps are raised in polythene bags in nurseries and transplanted to the main filed with the shoot and root systems undisturbed to get the best result. Crown budding Crown of many high yielding clones are susceptible to diseases, wind etc A susceptible crown should be replaced by a resistant one through crown budding. Leading to the development of a tree pan tree. Crown budding is done at a height of 210-240 cm using green buds from the resistant clone. Carrying out crown budding on commercial scale is difficult owing the several practical problems involved in the process.

TISSUE CULTURE
Rubber clones can be propagated by tissue culture also. Tissue culture propagation of pants is relatively a new development in science which has rapidly evolved into one of the major research tools in biology and medicine. Rubber Research Institute of India has successfully developed a system for tissue culture propagation of Rubber clones. Some of such plants planted at the Rubber Institute of India have come to tapping in the sixth year of planting.

PREPARATION AND HANDLING OF PLANTING MATERIAL

Gunny bags lined with performed polythene sheet or double gunny bags may be used for packing seeds. It is preferable to mix the seeds with moist charcoal powder and then pack. Germinated seeds are packed in boxes between layers of damp fiber, sawdust or damp charcoal powder.The germinated seed should be laid in such a manner that the end of the root points downwards. The topside of the box must be kept up. Otherwise any delay in transmit may result in twisting of roots.

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BUD WOOD
Immediately after cutting into required lengths. The cut ends should be dipped in melted wax to a depth of about 205 cm to prevent drying. Bud Wood should then be packed individually in fresh damp coconut fiber. Dispatch of bud wood without taking these precautions may lead to.bruising and drying of buds during transit

SEEDLING STUMPS
Polyclonal seeds raised in nurseries are pulled out and the stem pruned at a height of 45 to 60 cm in the brown wood portion and the cut end sealed by dipping in molten wax. The tap root is also pruned at the maximum practical length. Trimming of lateral roots is done about 7.5 to 10 cm from the tap root.

BUDDED STUMPS
Budded Stumps are pulled out and the stock is cut back at a height of about 7.5 cm above the bud patch with slope towards the opposite side of the bud and the cut end is sealed with wax. The tap roots and laterals are pruned as in the case of seedling stumps. The bud patch should be protected while handling, by covering with a piece of banana sheath.

POLY BAG PLANTS

There are two methods of raising poly bags plants. The earlier practice was to raise the stock seedlings in poly bags, and afterwards green bud then at the appropriate stage. The successful bud grafts are cut back and the scion allowed to grow to the required size before transplanting. Alternatively, budded stumps are planted in polythene bags of appropriate size and transplanted in the field without disturbing the root and shoot system. The latter method is more advantageous since this practice gives opportunity for the selection of uniformly vigorous plants and avoids the loss of bags through poor seedling growth and budding failures. In both the cases, transplanting can be done either at two to three whorls of leaves or six to seven whorls of leaves.

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Polythene bags of lay- flat dimension 55 cm length and 25 cm width and 400 gauge thickness, which can hold about 10 kg. solid, are generally used for raising plants up to two to three whorl stage. If the plants are to be retained till the six or more month whorl stage, bags of 65 cm x 35 cm size and 500 gauge thickness capable of holding about 23kg of soil, should be used. Black polythene bags are preferredThe soil medium used for raising the plants should have good moisture and nutrient holding capacity and promote root development. This all helps in minimizing damage during transporting and planting. It has been found that fairly heavy clay - loam soil having good structure and friability dried top soil avoiding pieces of stones and rocks, is used for filling the poly bags. Only partially dried phosphate at the rate of 25g for small bags and 75g for large bag is then incorporated in the top soil after the filling.The filled bags are placed in trenches of about 30 cm depth and soil removed from these trenches is put around the bags to hold in position and to keep the '-oil in moist condition. The soils in the bag are allowed to settle and budded stumps are planted. Root treatment with IBA formulations has been found to give better root development and initial growth.The scion is allowed to develop two or three whorls of leaves in the case of smaller bags and six or more whorls in the case of larger ones. Regular plant protection operations against pest and disease attack are to be adopted. Monthly maturing with 10:10:4:1.5 NPKMG mixtures should be done. During the first months lOgm per plant is applied which can begradually increased to 30g per in the fourth month. Regular watering is essential to retain sufficient moisture. Weeding is to be done regularly. If found necessary partial shading should be provided.

STUMPED BUDDING
The stock seedling are raised a wider spacing in the nursery and green budding done after 4-6 months. Following successfully but grafting, the stock stem is cut back above the bud patch allowing the bud to develop into a scion having about 204m of brown wood. Tap root pruning is done at 45 to 60 cm from the collar, five weeks before pulling out. The cut end is treated with a wound dressing compound and the stem white washed with hydrated lime. Stumps are pulled out and transplanting is carried out immediately to ensure minimal failure. Smaller stumped but dings having brown colour up to 60cm of the scion shoot can also be used for planting. These are Page12

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called mini stumped buds whereas the former is known as maxi stumped budding. Use of budding will be advantagerious if the weather conditions are ideal. Under the climate conditions in our country, generally causalities are likely to be high.

PLANTING
It is essential that planting should be carried out during favorable weather.

STUMP PLANTING
Seedling stumps and budded stumps are used for planting. A stump with a plenty of food reserve gives a vigorous shoot with a healthy initial whorl of leaves which is able to withstand adverse conditions that may arise subsequent to planting. It is always advisable to plant the stumps soon after pulling out from nursery buds. While planting budded stumps, the bud patch should be just above the ground level. If a considerable part of the stock below the scion is left above the ground level, it may maximize the effect of Elephant foot, sometimes seen in budded trees. It kept below the soil the scion is likely to be infected by soil organisms. About 5cm of surface soil is first removed from an adequate area around the planting points to accommodate the whorl of lateral roots. A planting cavity is then made with an alavango to a depth equal to the length of the pruned tap root. After threshing the alavango to the required depth, its top end is moved around and the cavity widened sufficiently deep for the whorl of lateral roots to be in passion in the area set neither too shallow nor too deep. Special attention should also be given to ensure that tip of the tap root is in actual contact with the soil at the bottom of the cavity.An air gap should not be allowed in the planting cavity as it may lead to the failure of the root development. Loose soil is put in the cavity around the tap root and pressed trimly. This is best done by pushing the alavango into the edge of the planting hole as deep as lap root is. more in a slanting manner so that the top part of the alavango is away from the stump and the lower end near the tip of the lap root and then pulling it strongly towards the stump which is firmly held in position. This process is repeated on all sides, without causing any damage to the bud. Stumped budding are also to be planted in the same manner.

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POLY BAG PLANTING

The top of leaves should be fully mature at the time of planting. The soil around the bag is removed and the bag taken out of the trench. Dressing of lateral roots and the tap roots if grown out of the bags is necessary. Then they are carried to the planting points. A planting hole bigger than the size of the bag is made. The bottom of the bag is completely cut and then the bag along with the plant is inserted in to planting hole.A vertical cut is made at the bottom half of the plastic sleeve and the space around the bag is gradually filled with the cylinder of soil without the hole is thus partially filled the bag is slit along its full length and carefully removed. The gap around the upper part of the soil core is also filled with soil.

SEED - AT - STAKE PLANTING

The system of planting seeds in situ is called seed - at- stake planting. It is followed by field budding. Two or three germinated seeds may be planted in a line or triangle. The weaker plants should be thinned out later allowing the most vigorous one to grow on which field budding is carried out at the appropriate stage. Climatic conditions prevailing in this country are not always suitable for this practice.

AFTER CARE
After planting the plants should be inspected at regular intervals of about 10 days. And only one vigorous shoot should be allowed to grow. In case of bud grafts false shoot, if any sprouting from the stock should be removed only one vigorous budshoot may be allowed to develop. Further pruning may he earned out appropriately to remove any side shoots developing up 205m the ground level.

DEVELOPMENT OF RUBBER PLANTATIONS

Around 90% of the total area under rubber plantations in India is in the state of Kerala and 46% is in Quilon, Kottayam and Idukki districts. Like other crops it was also introduced from outside. There are a number of trees, vinces shrubs which produce rubber. Of these, the most important are Para rubber (HaveaBrazaliensis)

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Panama rubber. Ceara rubber, Ficuselastica and Funtumiaelastica. Rubber was first planted in Cochin in the year 1905. The selection of suitable land is the first step in the development of estates. A warm, humid and equitable climate and fairly distributed rainfall are necessary for optimum growth of rubber tree. After selecting the land and planting material, nursery should be established. The clearing operations begin sufficiently in advance to avoid delay in planting. The next operation is correct lining which is important not only for optimum utilization of land but also for facilitating proper tapping of rubber trees after they reach the bearing stage. Pitting process, raising, cover crops, applying fertilizers and undertaking plant protection are the other important operations to be carried out during the immature period of rubber tree Maturity starts when the trees reaches tapping stage. When 70% of rubber trees attain the minimum required girth and height, they are ready fortapping. Planning required at this stage in the choice of final product. Latex is thestile itemof corporation and other forms such as sheet rubber, crepe rubber, solid block rubber are being marketer.

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COMPANY PROFILE
The rich quality rubber latex produced form the PCK. estates is processed in our own in house factories into Concentrated Latex, Crump Rubber and Crepe Rubber. To process timber of old rubber trees felled for replanting, the corporation has setup a rubber wood processing factory at Kodumon in Pathanamthitta District of KeralThe corporate growth plans of the Plantation Corporation emphasize on lateral diversification. As earlier as 1977, PCK had diversified into oil palm cultivation. A subsidiary company by name Oil Palm India Ltd., was formed with the participation of the Government of India. Today oil palm India Ltd is an independent company. From being a purely plantation based organization, the PCK is now diversifying into the challenging sunrises industries, utilizing the vast amount of rubber wood generated from its plantations. The modern, treated wood processing plant is already in operation since 1989. The treated rubber, wood is an economical alternative to teak and mahogany. The demand for rubber wood is steadily increasing in Kerala, also help to arrest deforestation to a certain extend. Kerala is known as "God's own Country". The estates of PCK are blessed with patches of undisturbed natural beauty reiterate this truth. Thus the potential of farm Tourism and Eco-Tourism which is emerging as a high potential commercial activity in Kerala was identified as a suitable area for diversification by the plantation corporation. The corporation have identified plenty of spots of science beauties in its. Plantations are located in different pans of the state of Kerala,.The all natural like captive secondary jungles, rocky patches, rivers, rivulets, river banks, minor and major waterfalls, dam sites etc, offer tremendous potential for commercial exploitation from a tourism angle. Besides, proximity of established tourist spots like Athirappilly in Thrissur District. Peruvannamoozhi in Kozhikkode District, Bakel in Kasaragod District etc, make this task much easier to accomplish.The famous tourist spot of Athirappally is in the vicinity of Kalady Group of Estates, owned by PCK. The corporation decided

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to exploit the high tourism potential in Athirappally by setting up all infrastructures and facilities for encouraging domestic and international tourism. This pilot farm tourism project near Athirappally water fall is almost complete now. This ambitious project is named as "Plantation Valley".

ESTATES
RUBBER PLANTATIONS The Rubber Plantations are the backbone of the company, spread over 6452 Hect. in 8 estates in virgin fertile forest land leased out from forest department and planted with high yielding varieties of rubber. Bt extend most of the estates are largest in Asia. All plantations are blessed with natural beauty and panoramic view Kodumon Estate The estate is located in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is spreads over 1202 Hect. It gives employment to 321 tappers, 41 field workers. 41 staff and 7 officers. Chandanappallv Estate The estate is located in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is spreads over 1662.49 Hect. It has on its roll 343 tappers, 42 field workers. 35 staff and 5 officers. ThannithodeEstate The estate is located in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. It is spreads over 668 Hect. It has 109 tappers, 11 field workers. 22 staff and 3 officers in its work force. Kallala Estate The estate is located in Emakulam District in Kerala. It is spreads over 1595 Hect. It gives employment to 288 tappers, 43 field workers, 52 staff and 7 officers.

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Athirappallv Estate The estate is located in Emakulam District in Kerala. It is spreads over 2170.15 Hect. The present manpower of this estate 210tappers. 73 field workers. 71 staff and 2 officers. Nilampur Estate The estate is located in Malappuram District in Kerala. It is spreads over 573 Hect. insideNilambur wild life sanctuary. In this estate, employment given to 42 tappers, -76 field workers, 14 staff and 2 officers. Perambra Estate The estate is located in Kozhikkode District in Kerala. It is spreads over 943 Hect. on the hank of peruvannamoozhi river and Dam. The estate has 55 tappers 99 field. workers, 26 staff and 4 officers on its work force. Mannarghat Estate The estate is located in Palakkad District in Kerala. The estate is spread over 544 Hect. The estate gives employment to 61 workers, 5 staff and one officer. Cheemeni Estate The estate is located in Kasaragod District in Kerala. The estate is spread over 856 Hect.. The estate is having 83 workers, one staff and one officer. Alakode Estate The estate is located in Kannur District in Kerala. The estate is spread over 80 Hect. The estate has a work force of 9 workers, one staff and one officer. Rajapuram Estate

The estate is located in Kasaragod District in Kerala. The estate is spread over 1523 Hect. The estate has 131 workers. 12 staff and 4 officers on its human resource.
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Kasaragod Estate

The estate is located in Kasaragod District in Kerala. The estate is spread over 2209 Hect. The estate has 1 13 workers. 18 staff and 6 officers as employees.

CASHEW PLANTATIONS
The company has 6361 Hect. of cashew plantation. These are planted with high yielding varieties and are being scientifically managed. The company also maintains a scion nursery of high yielding varieties of cashew in 25 Hect. This can produce up to 300,000 nos. of grafted cashew by adopting organic farming practices.

OIL PALM PLANTATION

The companies have 705 Hect. of oil palm plantations in its Kalady Group of estates. It lies along the banks of Chalakkudy River. With its panoramic view these plantations are the attraction of tourists to Sholayar Valley and Athirappally. Major part of the plantations is installed with drip irrigation system. 422 Hect.of the plantation has come to yielding and another 283 Hect. is expected to reach yield level in the next part.

OTHER PLANTATIONS
Besides the main crop Rubber, Cashew, and Oil palm the Company cultivates Chinnamon, Arecanut, Garcenia, Coconut, Teak etc. As trial crop,in certain plantations, to utilize the vacant land patches, interspaces in the estates in an effective and intensive way. Present aim is to further utilize all the possible vacant land and interspaces with new economic crops like jatropha (for bio diesel production) and other tree borne oil yielding plants, medicinal plants, vegetable for seed production, multipurpose tree species and so on.

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DETAILS OF THE ESTATES OWNED BY PCK LTD (Areas in Hectares)

Sl. No. 1 2 3 4 Name of the Estates Kodumon District Total Rubber 1202 1613 606 408 52 62 119 248 Cashew Oil Palm Others

Pathanamthitta 1202

Chandanappally Pathanamthitta 1665 Thannithode Vettilappara Pathanamthitta 668 EKM &Thrissur 775

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Athirappally Kallada Nilambur Mannarghat Perambra Alakode Rajapuram Kasaragode Cheemeni

Ernakulam Ernakulam Malappuram Palakad Kozhikkode Kannur Kasaragod Kasaragod Kasaragod

1522 1478 555 544 1130 412 1523 2209 980 14663

1330 1260 55

192 218

544 794 132 336 80 1523 2209 980 7900 6315 248 200 200

(Source ; Records of Plantation Corporation)

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FACTORIES 1. Kodumon Rubber Wood Factory

The Rubber Wood Treatment factory of the company is located in Kodumon Estate in Pathanamthitta District. The Factory is equipped with modem plant and machinery to produce high quality treated wood. It follows the advanced Borax-Boric Acid treatment system for treating rubber wood. As we are using only fresh rubber logs from our own plantations the high quality treated wood have high demand also. The factory can process 85 W3 wood per month. 2. Vettilapara Crumb Rubber Factory The Crumb Rubber Factory of the Company is located at Athirappilly Estate in Kalady Group of estates, Ernakulam District. The factory is equipped with advanced thermic fluid based drying system, which gives uniform quality output. The factory can produce 6 mt. Block Rubber per day. The Factory is producing high grades of ISNR using fresh scrap rubber only from its own plantations. The factory is also equipped with modern laboratory facilities for quality evaluation and maintenance and an effluent treatment plant for treating factory discharge. 3. Kalady Latex Factory Kalady Group Latex Factory can process 27000 liters of normal latex a day. 4. Kodumon Group Latex Factory

The Company has two latex centrifuging factories, one Crumb Rubber factory and one Rubber wood processing Factory. Both centrifuging factories are equipped with modern imported centrifuging machines and producing concentrated latex above BIS standard, which empowered the company to hold the leading position in latex market in India. Both factories are also equipped with modem laboratories to maintain the quality above BIS standard. These factories are also equipped with scientific effluent treatment plants, working under the close monitoring of Pollution Control Board.

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DETAILS OF THE FACTORIES OWNED BY PCK LIMITED

SI. No. 1 Name of Factories Kodumon Rubber wood Factory Vettilappara Crumb Rubber Factory Kalady Group Latex Factory Kodumon G roup Factory Latex District Pathanamthitta Processing Capacity 85W3/month

Ernakulam

1, 000 M.T. annually

Emakulam

27,000 litres/day

Pathanamthitta

36,000 litres day

(Source : Records of Plantation Corporation)

ORGANISATION AND WORKING

The plantation corporation of Kerala Limited has a work force of 6312 employees for manufacturing genuine products. Chairman is the superior office/ in the organization. Managing Director and Board of Directors assist the Chairman. The State Government makes the appointment of the Managing Director and the Board of Directors consists of members from finance department, forest department and nominated social workers. The working of estates is governed under the control of two general manager viz. General Manager (Productions) and General Manager (Malabar). The estates Kodumon, Chandanappally, Thannithodu, Vettilappara, Athirappally, Kallala are under the control of General Manager (Production). The Perambra, Alakodu, Rajapuram, Mannarghat, Cheemeni and Kasargode estates are under the control of General Manager (Malabar).

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

PRODUCT PROFILE
THE MAIN PRODUCTS OF PCK

60% CENTRIFUGED LATEX (CEL) WITH ISI SPECIFICATION

* * * * * * * *

CRUMB RUBBER LATEX ESTATES BROWN CREPE TREATED RUBBER WOOD DRIED COFFEE SEEDS BLACK PEPPER PROCESSED CARDAMOM PROCESSED CINNAMON BARK AND OIL DRIED ARECANUT AND CASHEW NUT All the products of the corporation are of superior quality with ISI

specification and Ag-mark are in great denomination in the market. High Quality Concentrated Latex (Cenex) The company is one of the major producers of high quality concentrated latex in India. At present we can supply 40000 barrels of 60% concentrated latex in a year, which is expected to be doubled with the induction of lapping in remaining replanted area in few years. The cenex produced form both factories maintain the Standard higher than the same stipulated by BIS (Bureau of Indian standards). Cenex is packed and sold in 205 litre barrels. Presently the corporation is exploring the possibilities in exporting cenex to overseas buyers to bring the price stability in the domestic market. To achieve this goal, an effort for ISO certification has been initiated. Page23

PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Block Rubber (ISNR) Block rubber produced by PCK is one of the best qualities produced in India as per IS! specification. The thermic fluid based drying system can produce 6 MY ISNR - 10, ISNR is packed and sold in 25 kg units packed in polythene bags. Treated rubber wood The corporation established a rubber wood processing factory at Kodumon Estate (Pathanamthitta District). The treated rubber wood is double, cheaper and versatile. The company can produce and supply 85 M3 treated Rubber Wood per month. As we are using only fresh rubber logs from our own rubber plantations, high standard and quality is maintained in all aspects which is reflected in our products. The processing system is based on Borax -Boric Acid, which is accepted as most ecofriendly treatment. This is a novel attempt by which deforestation for timber purpose can be checked to a large extend. Cinnamon Oil and Bark The company is producing superior quality bleached cinnamon oil and cinnamon bark from own plantation at Alakode in Kannur District. The present conventional oil distillation unit can produce 250 kg. oil in a year and 2000 kg bark per year. Steps are being taken to modernize the distillation unit and also to market cinnamon oil and bark in consumer packs under PCK brand name. Oil Palm FFB As an installation of our own oil palm mills is not yet completed, we are now selling the FFB (Fresh Fruits Benches) as such to oil palm mills located in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Goa. PCK is planning to establish an oil palm mill in Kalady Group, by the time entire areas of oil palm come to yielding

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Raw Cashew Nuts The cashew crops from the different estates are being auctioned at flowering stage itself. The estates are equipped with drying yards and godowns. Efforts are now on to obtain organic certification and also to offer cashew apple as a commodity for value addition. It also proposed to process the raw nuts to market cashew kernel in consumer packs under PCK brand.

VISSION 2012
The corporation aims expanding to new areas like tourism and rubber based industries such as gloves, hoses, mats, automobile spare parts & sports goods. The corporation also focuses on plantation based on forestry spices.

MISSION
The main mission of PCK Ltd. is to get ISI specification and Agmark for all products and intent the demand of products.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPANY

To Establish Rubber Plantation To Establish Cashew Plantation To Establish Other Plantation, Crops, Oil Seeds And Other Food Crops To Cultivate Spice Crops

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CHAIRMAN

BOD

GENERAL MANAGER

Personnel Manager Sales Manager Purchase Manager Planning &Production Manager Section officer

Operations Manager

ORGANIZATION CHART

Personnel Officer Purchase Officer

Finance Manager Sales officer

Costing Manager

Exe Engr (constrt n)

Exe Engr (mech)

Exe Engr (electric al)

Administrative Officer Senior grade assistant

Administrative Officer Senior grade assistant

Supervisor

Senior Assistant I Grade Assistant

Senior Assistant I Grade Assisitant

Administrative Officer (engr) Workers

Assistant

I Assistant Stenographer

Stenographer Drivers Civil Apprent ice Electric Apprent ice

PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Junior Assistant

Mechani cal Apprent ice

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ANALYSIS OF DEPARTMENTS AND WORKING

. The various departments are as follows: 1) Finance department 2) Sales department 3) Production Department 4) Engineering Department

5) Purchase department

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3.1FINANCE & ACCOUNTING (DEPT.)

The finance department maintains all the accounts of the various departments in an organization. It is the duty of the finance department to receive money and make payments on behalf of the company. It also prepares the annual budget according to which the expenses of the company are monitored. The finance Department is the vital part of an organization, as with out finance the day to day activities of the company will not function in a smooth and rapid way. It is the core of the organization. The cash section and account section also forms part of finance department. The recording of day to day transactions routine functions like sales tax, payments and receipts of cash chequeetc comes under the preview of accounts section. The accounts section also undertakes the employees payroll function. All the financial transactions are performed under this department. General Manager is the head and he is assisted by 3 managers.

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DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE

General Manager F&A

Manager F& A

Manager F& A

Manager F&C

Administrative officer - 1

Administrative officer - 2

Senior Assistant 1

Senior Assistant 2

IstAssistant 1

IstAssistant 2

Junior Assistant 1

JuniorAssistant 2

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

FUNCTION OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT

1.
Budget and Budgetary Control The finance department prepared the budget. Budget is the monitory or quantitative expression of plans and policies to be pursed in the future period. 2. Management of Finance and Financial Administration of Financial Statements The finance and administration department controls and manage the finance of PCK. Financial statements are prepared on the basis of recorded facts. Financial statements primarily comprise two statements, the balance sheet and profit and loss account. 3. Internal Audit Account Generals Audit and Statutory Audit There are three types of audit in PCK on yearly basis. It helps the corporation to accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of management, control and governance process. 4. Monthly Accounts and Annual Accounts, Stock Verification It provides information regarding the status of the business and the results of its operation. 5. Tax Matters The management also comes under the finance and administration Departments. Income statements are prepared and tax liabilities are calculated. Various tax returns are to be filed and tax payments are to be made in time.

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3.2 SALES DEPARTMENT

Latex is the main product of the corporation. The Sales Department of Plantation Corporation deals with the sale of materials like latex one by products of latex like ISNR-20, 50, EBC, 1X, 2X, 3X. The prospective customers who place the purchase order with the operation has to make completed advance payment for the goods and then the delivery order is issued. General Manager (Purchase and Sales) is responsible for both Purchase and Sales Department.

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DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE

General Manager ( C and P)

Stenographer

Sales Officer

Office Assistant A

Office Assistant B

Peon

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The Head of Marketing Department is General Manager (C and P) who controls and Co-ordinates all activities connected with sale or corporations Products from the Head Office. The corporations main products are Cenex, Crumb Rubber, Cashew nuts, Oil palm Fresh Fruit Bunches, Cinnamon and other agriculture products. Th care x is sold through fixing prices periodically. Some quantity or Cenex is sold directly to some customers through the same process. The crumb Rubber is sold through tender-cum-auction conducted every month. The corporation also is trying to sell a portion of its crumb rubber by fixing periodical prices as in the case of cenex. Cashew nuts are also sold through tender-cum-auctions oil palm. F.F. Bs are sold to M/s. Oil Palm India Ltd. Another Government organisation through Fixed Prices Cinnamon and other agriculture products are sold through tenders-cumauction.

Objectives 1.
Maintain Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) at 75% or above

Functions 1. 2. To take steps for fixing sale price of Cenex, oil Palm FFB etc To arrange for conducting tenders for processed/ unprocessed Rubber, Cashew Nuts, agriculture products etc and finalise the tenders through established procedure 3. To accept orders after checking that they contain the essential Pre-requisites for such acceptance. 4. 5. 6. To follow up for prompt delivery again orders accepted To take steps for prompt redressal or customers complaints, if any To meet statutory obligations like Sale tax Remittance, Rubber Board returns etc.

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3.3PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
This department prepares project study about the rubber cashew, oil palm etc. Cultivation of perennial crops, medicinal plants etc in isolated areas in estates and other areas owned by PCK are the responsibilities of this department. Determination about the requirement of fertilizers,

implementations, chemicals for various plantation operations, processing product, product research and development are concerned with this department. Functions of Production Department 1. Production planning and control of the rubber production in PCK Estates 2. 3. 4. Planning and implementation of production target Planning and control of tapping and allied operations Planning and control of effective preservation of latex in collecting stations 5. Planning and control of timely transportation of latex and scrap rubber from collecting station to processing factories 6. 7. 8. Planning and implementation of replanting operations in the estates Planning and control of poly bag nurseries in the estates Planning and implementation of preventive measures against pest and disease in the estates 9. Monitoring and control of effective tapping system in tapping tasks

10. Production, planning and control of latex processing factories 11. Monitoring and controlling the functions of hospitals 12. Planning and implementation of welfare measures to employees and worke
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Departmental structure
PERSONNEL Dept

General Manager

Manager (P&A)

Administrative Officer

Personnel Officer

Stenographer

Receptionist

Assistants

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Objectives 1. Conducting regular follow up with P.S.C and effecting necessary administrative action by the P& A Department for the selection and placement of the pending required manpower against sanctioned post in time 2. 3. 4. Sanctioning of increment to all staff and officers Updating of all service records Processing of medical bill within 15 days of receipt at P& A Department 5. 6. Forwarding of PF Final Settlement Application Sanctioning of terminal benefits to all staff and officers

Personnel Department is bound to provide the following services Functions 1. Front office management including reception, telecommunication, tax communication and house keeping 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Maintenance of personal file of each employee Laison with the various department in the Government Arranging tranter and posting of employees Matter related to disciplinary action Labour welfare matter Arranging trade union conference for settlement of disputes Recruitment of employees and workers promotion of employees

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Functions of Production department 1. Production, planning and control of the rubber production in PCK Estates-the daily tapping & the production of rubber in all Estates of the corporation is under the administrative control of production Department. The G.M (production) is visiting. The Estates frequently & corrective & preventive measures will be suggested and implemented then and there itself. Daily monitoring the production datas and fed wise evaluation of production with the target qty& identifying the progress of achievements are the prime duties of production Department. 2. Planning and implementation of production Target - The department is preparing the production target of rubber based on the field wise datas collected from various estates with regard to the variety of clones, year of planting year of opening and the a valuable datas of field trial conducted by Rubber Board. The target have to be apportioned and distributed month wise which will be reported to Estates for starting preparations to achieve the expected target. The month wise achievement is calculated based on the target and the actual production for the month. Shortfall, if any is noticed and then the reasons for the same will be detected and suggests corrective and preventive measures. 3. Planning and Control of Tapping and allied operations The identification and selection of tapping tasks in the estates, its classifications and the system of tapping are monitor and controlling by the production Department. The consumption of tapping bark, maintaining quality of tapping, application of stimulant etc are under the control of production Department. The rain guarding is one of the major activity in lapping of the and this should be completed before the commencement of south west monsoon. The fixation of rain guards is most import and it should be done very carefully to avoid leakages as
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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

this will be badly affects the tapping in eairny days. All the above operations in connection with tapping will be under the strict control of production department. 4. Planning & control of effective preservation of latex in collecting stations The preservation of Latex in collecting stations will be monitored strictly as constant care is needed to preserve, the latex with out affecting the contamination of Bacteria. The quality of centrifuged latex depends upon the effectiveness of initial preservation. The latex should be well preserved by the addition of 5 kg ammonia gad for, every 1000 Kgs latex + the addition of TMT + ZNO dispersion. The production department is controlling the effectiveness of preservation of latex in collecting stations. 5. Planning and control of timely transportation of latex and scrap Rubber from collecting stations to processing factories - The daily production of latex in division of the estate should have to be transported to latex processing factories without delay for further quality upgradation and storage. Further to the above the scrap rubber also have to be lifted daily to ISNR (CRUMB) factories to prevent theft and deterioration in quality. The daily transportation and the movement of rubber produces will have to be checked and controlled by production Dept. 6. Planning and implementation of replanting operations in the estates The replanting operations have to be completed according to schedule and this will be done during rainy season. Meticulous plannind and timely implementation is required for effective replanting and to assure healthy growth of rubber plants. 7. Planning and control of polybag nurseries in the states For starting replanting operations, we have to develop polybag nurseries of different varieties in the estates. First we have to develop budwood nurseries and subsequently we will have to raise polybag nurseries
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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

according to our requirements. At present we are developing polybag plants also for commercial purposes for benefiting the common man. 8. Planning and implementation of preventive measures against pets and diseases in the estates Meliculous and constant case is required for implementing preventive measures against pest and diseases in immature and mature rubber plantations. The seasonal operations against pest and diseases will be monitored and checked by the production. department to ascertain whether the pests control measures are as per schedule. A detailed schedule specifying the calendar of operations have been issued to all divisions for the timely implementation. 9. Monitoring and control of effective tapping system in tapping tasks. The planning and control of implementing the ideal tapping system in different fields will be under the control of production department. There are three types of lapping system which was in practices in the estates. (i) D4 system (ii) D3 system (iii) D2 system in cut area

10. Production planning and control of Latex Processing Factories The latex processing factories are under the strict content of production department. The field latex should have to be well preserved and strict monitoring and precautions in preservation are required for producing Cenex with high quality performances parameters, constant care is needed to produce cenex having VFA (Volatile Faty Acid) less than 0.04. Lower VFA level is the quality performance index for super grade cenex. All activities connected to Latex processing at Kallala Factory and Kodumon GRP Latex Factory are under the full content of production department. 11. Production, planning and control of scrap processing ISNR (CRUMB Rubber) Factory
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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

PCK has one crumb Rubber Factory at Vettilappara situated Kalady GRP of plantation for processing the entire scrap rubber produced in the 7 Rubber Estates. For producing higher grade ISNR, the scrap rubber have to be well preserved without deterioration in quality for reducing the formation of off-grade crumb. The production department is controlling all activities connected to the processing of scrap rubber and frequently monitoring the quality performance parameters of ISNR. 12. Monitoring and controlling the functions of GRP hospitals The corporation had 3 GRP hospitals, one at Kodumon GRP, another at Kalady GRP and third one at Perambra estate. These hospitals have facility for accomodating inpatients as well as outpatients with 24 hrs ambulance facility. The medical officer is in charge of hospitals and he/she will be assisted by nurses, compounders, laboratory technician and medical orderties. The production department is controlling and co-ordinating the functions of GRP hospitals. 13. Planning and implementation of welfare measures to employees and workers. Co-ordination of workers and staff is an essential factor in a production oriented organization and in order to enhance motivation, welfare measures have to be implemented in the right time. All estates have welfare officers to act as liaison officer to co-ordinate the welfare activities to be implemented. Also the co-operation of Trade Unions have to be ensured and so a close liaison is maintaining with the Trade Unions and their problems by the production department. 14. Planning and induction of slaughter tapping on contract in selected senile plantations The induction of slaughter tapping has to be awarded on contract in selected senile plantations as an advance preparation for replanting in PCK we are awaiting slaughter tapping on contract by conducting Tender/Auction. Before arranging
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Tender/Auction all the senile trees have to be numbered and segregate to different blocks of 1000 trees. All the above procedures are under the control of production department. 15. Clearing and felling of rubber trees before starting replanting operations. After the expiry of the contract period of slaughter tapping we have to arrange the feeling of rubber trees and the feeling and removing is awaided by Tender/Auctions. The felling and clearing have to be completed as per schedule for starting replanting operations. 16. Production, planning and control of oil palm plantations We have at present 705 Ha of Oil Plam Plantations spread over at Kallala and Athirapally Estates. Now a separate division has been formed exclusively for planning and production of oil palm FFB under the control of one Asst. Manager. The Production Department is over seeing all the activities of Oil Palm Plantation including harvesting.

The Plantation Corporation always maintained a very healthy state of affairs in production and Human Resource Management. The corporation enjoyed profits rolling in all through its existence. Extensive estate holdings of the PCK have made it one of the largest planting companies in the country. From a total 14,020 Ha of estates holdings, 6458 Ha are under rubber. Cashew plantations make up 6361 Ha and Oil Palm in 705 Ha while the rest area is planned with Cinnamon, Arecanuts, Coconut, Pepper, Gaecinia, Teak etc. The Rubber, Cashew and Oil Palm are the major crops raised by the corporation. In addition to this we have established a Farm Resort at the banks of Chalakudy River near Athirapally water falls.

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Major Rubber Estates Kodumon Estate Kodumon estate is located at Kodumonpanchayath at Pathanamthitta district. Most of the workers are from the surrounding panchayath and this estate had a major roll in the development of this local area. The total area is 1202 Ha having six divisions. Chandanappally Estate Chandanappally Estate is located in the vicinity of Ernakulam and Trissur District in the banks of Chalakkudy River and spread over in 2170. 15 Ha. Thannithode Estate The Estate is located at Pathamthitta District, ThannithodePanchayath near Konni. The estate is spread over 668 Ha. Perambra Estate The Perambra Estate is located in Kozhikode District near Peruvannamoozhi Dam catchments area. Nelambur Estate The Estate is locted in Malapuram District at Nilambur having three divisions Punchakolly, Vaniyampuzha and Palakkayam.

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

3.4 Engineering Department The engineering department handles the maintenance activities in the organization and in the estates. Chief Construction Engineer is the head of the department. There are several engineers for each estates and factories to make the working of the corporation smoothly. Other members like clerks, field officers, receptionists etc. working in various departments of the corporation. In order to prove the efficiency of the corporation need based training was given to employees. Welfare orientation is an essential ingredient of the corporations management philosophy. Every worker is entitled for bonus, leave wages, sick leave, gratuity, provident fund etc. Plantation Labour Act contains provisions relating to health welfare, working hours, limitations of employment, maternity benefits, provisions for enforcing the legislation and penalties for the contravention of the Act.

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Engineering Department

Structure

Managing Director

Executive Engineering (mechanical)

Executive Engineering (Electrical)

Construction Engineering

Administrative Officer (Engineeriing)

Drivers

Civil Apprentice

Electrical Apprentice

Mechanical Apprentice

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Objectives 1. 2. 3. Optimum utilization of machineries (Electrical & Mechanical) To achieve maximum fuel efficiency (Vehicles) Keep the payment variation below 5% Measurement technique:Delay% (Engineering Department) = No. of Bills received
No of Bills proceeded within 7 days with respect to Engineering Department No of Bills received

Overall delay % for effecting payment = (No.of bills received, No. of payments effected within 12 days)/No. of bills received)

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

3.5 PURCHASE DEPARTMENT The Purchase is one and only department engaged in all purchase activities of each and every estate and Factories. The head office receives indents of materials to be purchased from vaious estates. After a particulae period, tabulation of indents which easily received is done and quotaion notice is published in the leading news papers. Intersted parties submit the tenders and from thath most economical one is selected based on low price and high quality and a purchase order is issued to the selected vendor. The details relating to Purchase and sent to accounts department after convinced thath purchasedf materials are delivered.

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Purchase Department
Managing Director

Manger (Purchase)

Administrative Officer (Purchase)

Assistant

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

Objectives 1. Ensuring Prompt Payment to Supplier [The payment to suppliers shall be effected with in the following time period] 2. Ensuring the availability OF minimum 1000 Barrels (Having) prescribed quality) Each at Both the Factories OF PCK on to date Basis 3. Prompt Purchase OF vital items

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

SWOT ANALYSIS

The basic objective of swot analysis is to provide frame work to reflect the firms ability to overcome barriers and avail of the opportunities emerging in the changing environment. STRENGTHS PCK is the largest Public sector undertaking in the plantation sector in Kerala. It enjoys privilege granted by the Government. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Efficient and experienced team of officers staff and workers Unique brand name Customer satisfaction Highly recognized Quality product Talented employees Latest concept and technologies Effective Management

WEAKNESSES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. High operating expense Very low budget of advertisement Old technology Lack of commitment Absence of automation

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

OPPORTUNITIES 1. Aim of the company is to meet the global standards. This creates the opportunities to produce quality product 2. 3. 4. 5. Growing market demand Improving quality The idea of Road Rubberisation is getting acceptable Malaysia, one of the major producers of natural rubber in the world has gradually reduced their production THREATS 1. 2. 3. 4. Availability of duplicate product in the market. Changing technologies. Well organized plantations like Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. Highly fluctuating market value of natural rubber.

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PLANTATION CORPORATION OF KERALA LTD., KOTTAYAM

FINDINGS
From the study, we can list out the following which are crucial to the organization. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Good working environment Improved quality strategy Productivity is high as compared to the previous years Organization observes all policies related to recruitment very strictly The employees are highly co-operative Up date technologies and concepts Strict disciplinary action The study reveals that employees are free to communicate their views to the top level management and co-workers 9. This study reveals that structure of the organization is flexible to certain extend 10. Most of the employees are satisfied with the labour welfare measure in pack.

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SUGGESTIONS
1. 2. Utilization of vacant land Care should be taken during recruitment of new workers and employees 3. The official website of PCK shall be updated frequently and it must have details about the manufacturing units 4. Even though political influence cannot be diverted to progressive decision that support organisation 5. Introduce training programmes to utilize the man power at the maximum

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CONCLUSION
India is the fourth biggest producer and customer of Natural Rubber in the world. Despite the near total predominance of small holders of natural rubber production. India can take the pride in highest productivity. Rubber is the best crop compared to all other major crops in terms of production growth, area expansion and productivity. The plantation corporation of Kerala Limited (PCK) the largest plantation company in the public sector in India was established in the year 1962 as a Government of Kerala enterprise with an authorized share capital of Rs. 75 million. PCK is one of the major producers of high quality concentrated latex in India. The data are collected from various primary and secondary sources. Primary data are collected by direct interview methods and observation. Secondary data are collected from company records. From the study we can list out the following findings which are crucial to the organisation. The organisation suffers from the want of enough man power. Agreement should be made to procure enough man power. Even though political influence cannot be totally eliminated. It can be diverted to progressive that support organization. The training in the office was a good experience for meI was assigned to do work in various section of the office. The employees in the organisation are highly efficient.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.

Kothari C.R; Research Methodology. New age International Private Limited Publishers, 2004.

2. 3.

Dr. Prasad L.M Principals and Practice of Management. Philip Kotler, Marketing Management

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