Abstract:
Given the key role of plantation sector in fostering inclusive
development, this paper has been an attempt at locating the spaces on
exclusion in the marketing of cardamom and the bearing of e-auctions
in addressing them. With a view to locating the spaces of exclusion the
study made use the taxonomy of social exclusion by Amartya Sen like
passive and active exclusion vis-a-vis the instrumental and constitutional
exclusion and added new categories exclusion like subordinated or
unequal inclusion, illusive inclusion and sustained exclusion. It was
observed that in the conventional auction system, active exclusion has
been prevalent on account of the practice of taking a fixed quantity as
sample from all the lots regardless of its size and delay in payment along
with the absence of title deeds for large number of growers. The exclusion
of those without title deeds from the auction centre also could be
considered as a case of instrumental exclusion as articulated by Sen.
Moreover, the practice of proving an advance appears to have the effect
of illusive inclusion. These dimensions of exclusion have been sustained
over the years. In addition, the study also found the existence of wide
variation in the price realised by different size class of holders (larger
growers getting significantly higher price) which we have articulated as
a case of subordinated/ unequal inclusion. An analysis of the price
variation and factors influencing price formation under e-auction
revealed that e-auction has been successful in addressing the
subordinated/unequal exclusion. But the study has shown that the
introduction of e-auction and harnessing of ICT could hardly address
the active, passive and instrumental exclusion that has been sustained
over the years. This tends to suggest that the issue of social exclusion
cannot be addressed simply by technological innovation in the absences
of appropriate institutional innovations.
