Screen Reader

A+

A

A-

Dr. Lijo Thomas

Dr. Lijo Thomas
Name Dr. Lijo Thomas
Designation Principal Scientist
Division Section of Social Sciences
Qualification Ph.D.
Specialisation Agricultural Economics
Contact Lijo.Thomas@icar.gov.in
Areas of Interest Agricultural technology impact assessment , Agricultural development and policy ,Trade and global value chains in spices

  1. Ganeshamurthy AN, Rupa TR, Behera SK, Srinivasan V, Dinesh R, Thomas L, Venkatesh MS, Shashikumar K. Micronutrient interventions in Indian agriculture: unlocking national economic potential and productivity. Indian J Fertil. 2025;21(8):38–52.

  2. Sajesh VK, Thomas L, Rajeev P, Maneesha SR, Sheeja TE. Entrepreneur-led extension in Indian agriculture: an assessment of experts’ perspectives. J Community Mobil Sustain Dev. 2025;20(3):1–8.

  3. Thomas L, Sajesh VK, Sanil PC. Case study on recent trends in export rejections of spices from India: reasons, responses and regulatory challenges. Plant Sci Today. 2024;11(3):118–123. doi:10.14719/pst.4201.

  4. Jayashekhar S, Thamban C, Chandran KP, Thomas L, Jacob TR. Analysis of farmer producer organizations in the coconut sector: current scenario, limitations and policy outlook. J Plantn Crops. 2024;52(1):1–9. doi:10.25081/jpc.2024.v52.i1.9170.

  5. Thomas L, Anees K, Nissar VAM. The economic landscape of clove production in India: challenges and opportunities. J Spices Aromat Crops. 2023;32(2):161–169.

  6. Santhosh JE, Thomas L, Praveena R, Senthil Kumar CM. Pesticide regulation policy and global food safety for Indian spices. J Consum Prot Food Saf. 2022;17:407–410. doi:10.1007/s00003-022-01387-9.

  7. Thomas L, Sanil PC. Productivity, export competitiveness and the changing structure of trade in spices and plantation crops: an exploratory analysis. J Plantn Crops. 2021;49(3):191–199.

  8. Biju CN, Jeevalatha A, Peeran MF, Suseela R, Basima F, Fadla, Nissar MVA, Srinivasan V, Thomas L. Association of Lasiodiplodia theobromae with die-back and decline of nutmeg as revealed through phenotypic, pathogenicity and phylogenetic analyses. 3 Biotech. 2021;11:422. doi:10.1007/s13205-021-02961-y.

  9. Peter KV, Babu KN, Cheriyan H, Thomas L. The spice economy and COVID-19: consequences, responses and prospects. Int J Innov Hortic. 2021;10(1):53–60.

  10. Thomas L, Sanil PC. Analysis of structural changes and growth trends in spice exports from India. J Arecanut Spices Med Plants. 2021;23(3):50–55.

  11. Sheeja TE, Thomas L, Dinesh R, Srinivasan V, Nirmal KB. Technology commercialization perspectives for spice stakeholders and nurturing start-ups. Indian J Arecanut Spices Med Plants. 2021;23(4):16–20.

  12. Thomas L, Aarthi S, Srinivasan V, Nirmal KB. Cost and demand ecosystem of vanilla production in India: current trends and economic prospects. Int J Innov Hortic. 2020;9(1):52–55.

  13. Nirmal KB, Thomas L, Dinesh R, Jayasree E, Srinivasan V. Innovations in spices production and value chain management. Int J Innov Hortic. 2019;8(1):1–8.

  14. Thamban C, Thomas L, Chandran KP, Jayashekhar S, Rajesh MK, Jesmi V, Srinivasan V, Nair KM, Anil Kumar KS. Assimilating socio-economic perspective in designing crop sector technology interventions: a farmer participatory study on coconut sector in Kerala. J Plantn Crops. 2019;47(3):180–188.

  15. Thomas L, Rajeev P, Sanil PC. Trade competitiveness and export performance of Indian cardamom. J Spices Aromat Crops. 2019;28(1):34–42.

  16. Yadav MS, Godika S, Yadava DK, Ahmad N, Mehta N, Bhatnagar K, Agrawal VK, Kumar A, Thomas L, Chattopadhyaya C. Prioritizing components of integrated pest management package in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) for better economic benefit. Crop Prot. 2019;120:21–29.

  17. Thomas L, Sanil PC. Competitiveness in spice export trade from India: a review. J Spices Aromat Crops. 2019;28(1):1–19.

  18. Thomas L, Rajeev P, Sanil PC. Impact of market reforms on price integration: a study of wholesale spice markets in India. Econ Aff. 2017;62(3):427–433.

  19. Thomas L, Rajeev P, Sanil PC. Promise and prospects of farmer producer organizations: the Kerala experience. Indian J Agric Mark. 2017;30(3):134–138.

  20. Thamban C, Nair KM, Thomas L. Enhancing productivity and income from coconut farming in Kerala. Indian Coconut J. 2017;Sept:17–21.

  21. Rejula K, Thomas L, Rajeev P. Production system and technology adoption profile of black pepper cultivation in Kerala. J Agric Manage. 2016;17(2):35–42.

  22. Pradeep B, Manoj PS, Thomas L. Role of institutional extension efforts in spreading grass root innovations: a study of ornamental fish culture in Kerala. Indian Res J Ext Educ. 2015;16(1):134–138.

  23. Priyamedha, Singh BK, Thomas L, Bala M, Singh VV, Singh D. Status and perspective of canola quality rapeseed-mustard cultivation in India: a review. J Oilseed Brassica. 2015;6(1):142–151.

  24. Krishnakumar NK, Janakiram T, Anandaraj M, Thomas L. Plantation crops for socio-economic upliftment. Indian Hortic. 2014;59(6):3–9.

  25. Meena PD, Thomas L, Singh D. Assessment of yield losses in Brassica juncea due to downy mildew (Hyaloperonospora brassicae). J Oilseed Brassica. 2014;5(1):73–77.

  26. Sendhil R, Sundaramoorthy C, Venkatesh P, Thomas L. Testing market integration and convergence to the law of one price in Indian onions. Afr J Agric Res. 2014;9(40):2975–2984.

  27. Meena PD, Gour RB, Gupta JC, Singh HK, Awasthi RP, Netam RS, Godika S, Sandhu PS, Prasad R, Rathi AS, Rai D, Thomas L, Patel GA, Chattopadhyay C. Non-chemical agents provide tenable, eco-friendly alternatives for management of major diseases devastating Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) in India. Crop Prot. 2013;53:169–174.

  28. Sharma AK, Thomas L. Technology inputs and its impact on farm profits: a case study of rapeseed-mustard. Indian Res J Ext Educ. 2013;13(3):9–14.

  29. Thomas L, Sundaramoorthy C, Jha GK. The impact of National Food Security Mission on pulse production scenario in India: an empirical analysis. Int J Agric Stat Sci. 2013;9(1):213–223.

  30. Thomas L, Jha GK, Pal S. External market linkages and instability in Indian edible oil economy: implications for self-sufficiency policy in edible oils. Agric Econ Res Rev. 2013;26(2):185–196.

  31. Thomas L, Siddayya. Labour bank experiment in Kerala: SWOT analysis. Agric Econ Res Rev. 2012;24:511–516.

  32. Thomas L, Jha GK, Pal S. External market linkages and instability in Indian edible oil economy: implications for self-sufficiency policy in edible oils. Agric Econ Res Rev. 2012;26(2):185–198.

  33. Venkatesh P, Sangeetha V, Sundaramoorthy C, Sendhil R, Thomas L. A study on economics of milk products in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. Bioinfolet. 2012;9(3):298.

  34. Thomas L, Nirmala B. Extension services in contract farming: an explorative study of potential parameters. J Rural Dev. 2011;30(2):169–176.

  35. Meena PD, Chattopadhyay C, Kumar A, Awasthi RP, Singh R, Kaur S, Thomas L, Goyal P, Chand P. Comparative study on the effect of chemicals on Alternaria blight in Indian mustard: a multi-location study in India. J Environ Biol. 2011;32:375–379.

  36. Thomas L, Sharma AK, Kumar A, Jha SK, Sachan RC. Techno-economic assessment of varietal technology: spatial and temporal dimensions of rapeseed–mustard varieties in India. J Agric Dev Policy. 2009;19(1):21–31.

  37. Sachan RC, Thomas L, Sharma AK, Jha SK. Economic utility evaluation of improved technologies in Indian mustard: an analysis of front line demonstrations. Indian Res J Ext Educ. 2009;9(2):64–67.

  38. Thomas L, Sharma AK, Sachan RC. Information sources of oilseed processing units: relevance, pattern and outcome. J Commun Stud. 2009;27:63–68.

  39. Thomas L, Sharma AK, Kumar A, Jha SK, Sachan RC. Use of economic efficiency criteria in technology selection and dissemination: priority setting for mustard production technologies in India. Agric Econ Res Rev. 2008;21(Conf No):455.

  40. Thomas L, Sharma AK, Kumar A, Jha SK, Sachan RC. Technology adequacy and economic viability in rain-fed agriculture: a study on mustard farming. Indian J Agric Econ. 2008;63(3):530–531.

Book Chapters

  1. Thomas L, Sajesh VK. Consumer awareness and market demands in global spice value chains. In: Sasikumar B, Eapen SJ, editors. Spices production to products: purity and authenticity. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2026. p. 343–361.

  2. Thomas L. Towards sustainable seed systems in spices: technical and policy insights. In: Sunilkumar K, Suja G, Visalakshi C, Chandra C, editors. Strategies for development of sustainable seed systems in tropical tuber crops. Thiruvananthapuram (India): ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute; 2025. 60 p.

  3. Thankamani CK, Srinivasan V, Remya JS, Murugan M, Dhanya MK, Singh R, Thomas L, et al. Organic farming of spices: concepts, issues, and strategies. In: Ravindran PN, Sivaraman K, Devasahayam S, Nirmal Babu K, editors. Handbook of spices in India: 75 years of research and development. Singapore: Springer Nature; 2024. p. 3949–4054.

  4. Thomas L, Kuruvilla A, Meena M, Remashree AB, Madan MS. Economics, marketing, and export of spices: status and prospects. In: Ravindran PN, Sivaraman K, Devasahayam S, Nirmal Babu K, editors. Handbook of spices in India: 75 years of research and development. Singapore: Springer; 2023. Available from: doi:10.1007/978-981-19-3728-6_20.

  5. Srinivasan V, Thomas L, Peter KV, Remashree AB, Cheriyan H. Spices: area, production, and export scenario. In: Ravindran PN, Sivaraman K, Devasahayam S, Nirmal Babu K, editors. Handbook of spices in India: 75 years of research and development. Singapore: Springer; 2023. Available from: doi:10.1007/978-981-19-3728-6_2.

  6. Nirmal Babu K, Thomas L, Aravind S. Realizing the export potential of spices: challenges and strategies. In: Pandey SK, Nair R, Bhan KS, editors. Horticultural crops: emerging issues and techniques. New Delhi (India): Biotech Books; 2022. p. 1–8.

  7. Thomas L, Zachariah J, Srinivasan V, Dinesh R, Leela NK, Nirmal Babu K. Aligning Indian spice production with societal preference, global markets and industrial demand: technological challenges and strategic choices. In: Singh SK, Prakash J, Patel VB, editors. Shaping the future of horticulture. New Delhi (India): Chadha KL, Kruger Brentt Publishers; 2019. p. 723–734.

  8. Nirmal Babu K, Srinivasan V, Dinesh R, Thomas L, Peter KV. Innovative horticulture and value chain management. In: Singh HP, Kumar J, Srivastava R, Singh B, Choudhary H, editors. Shodh Chinthan: innovative horticulture and value chain management – shaping future horticulture. 2019;11:253–258.

  9. Thomas L, Thamban C, Jayasekhar S. Farmer producer organizations in plantation sector: issues and challenges. In: Jayasekhar S, Chandran KP, Rajesh MK, Thamban C, Muralidharan K, editors. Income generating enterprises in plantation sector. Kasaragod (India): ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute; 2018. p. 1–158.

  10. Thomas L, Bhat AI, Cheriyan H, Nirmal Babu K. Value chain development and technology practices of spices crop in India (cardamom, ginger, turmeric, black pepper and cinnamon). In: Pandey PR, Pandey IR, editors. Challenges and opportunities in value chain of spices in South Asia. Dhaka (Bangladesh): SAARC Agriculture Centre; 2017. p. 56–115.

  11. Saji KV, Thomas L, Sasikumar B. Kurumulakinte janithika sambathum samrakshanavum (Malayalam): Genetic wealth of black pepper and its protection. Thiruvananthapuram (India): The State Institute of Languages; 2017. 252 p.

  12. Thomas L, Sharma AK, Singh BK. Plant diseases as a constraint for oilseed production systems in India: an economic perspective. In: Singh KP, Prajapati CR, Gupta AK, editors. Innovative approaches in plant disease management. Saarbrücken (Germany): Lambert Academic Publishing; 2013. p. 512–535.

  13. Jha GK, Thomas L. Glimpses of emerging oilseed crop scenario and its implications for edible oil policy in India. In: Edible oils outlook and situation analysis: Indian perspective. New Delhi (India): Indian Vanaspati Producers Association; 2013. p. 15–22.

  14. Meena PD, Chattopadhyay C, Thomas L, Sharma P, Kumar V. Rapeseed mustard yield losses due to diseases in India. In: Chowdappa P, editor. Crop losses due to plant diseases in India. 2013.

  15. Thomas L, Sethulekshmi KR. Standards, certification and inspection in organic agriculture. In: Singh A, editor. Organic farming. Jaipur (India): Pointer Publishers; 2011. p. 38–49.

  16. Kumar A, Rathore SS, Premi OP, Thomas L. Crop management research strategies for oilseed crops in India. In: Hegde DM, editor. Vegetable oils scenario: approaches to meet the growing demands. Hyderabad (India): Indian Society of Oilseeds Research; 2008. p. 230–246.

Editor: 

  • Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops 
  • ICAR Certified technologies 
  • Policy Brief titled “Towards Self-sufficiency in Spices: Status, vision and strategies”
  • Policy Brief titled “The Pesticide dilemma in spices sector: Espousing an enabling policy environment”


 

PI

  1. Economic analysis of technology, market dynamics and policy scenario in major spice crops (Completed)- Institute Funded 
  2. Developing models and strategies for enhancing technology and policy impact in spices sector (Ongoing)- Institute Funded 

Co-PI

  1. Capacity building and front-line intervention programmes for spice sector development in NE states and tribal empowerment (Institute Funded) 
  2. Pan India action research project on the improvement of spice value chains (Externally Funded)
     
Name of Student University (Affiliation) Title of Thesis Completed / Ongoing Year of Completion
Shiyas K. J. Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Spice-based farmer producer companies in Kerala: exploring group dynamics in farmer collectives Ongoing 2026
Shabad M. K. Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Investment, risk and returns in spice farming – an analysis of black pepper cultivation in Kerala Ongoing 2026