It’s Not Coconut, Coconut Palm Is Important
The efforts of those who sought other income possibilities for the coconut palm in a situation where coconut cultivation in Kerala, which relied only on copra and coconut oil, became unsustainable.
Don’t be surprised to hear this; it’s the truth.
We thought the coconut palm was only for coconuts. But as the price of coconuts falls, the importance of the palm itself is increasing.
If we change the way we look at it, the coconut palm is a gold mine.
- ✅ Tender coconut
- ✅ Coconut water
- ✅ Palm sugar
- ✅ Coconut honey
- ✅ Coconut jaggery
There is a big change coming in the market for these products. It’s not just the coconut that’s valuable, but the palm itself.
Those who once relied on coconuts are now turning to these products.
- Jomon (Idukki)
- Joseph Puthumana (Muthalakodam)
- Sunny Puthumana (Muthalakodam)
The beginning was for self-sufficiency.
It was realized that instead of planting 7-year-old coconut saplings, planting palms that are already several years old would be more beneficial.
In this way, coconut palms from the yard were transplanted to the farm.
- 13-year-old palms of the ‘Ganga Bondam’ and ‘Chavakkad Orange Dwarf’ varieties were transplanted
- Spacing between the palms was kept at 45 feet
The main goal was to earn a good income through mangosteen cultivation.
20-year-old mangosteen trees were selected. To provide shade for these mangosteen trees, coconut palms were planted in between.
💰 Income From Mangosteen
- Annual income: ₹1.85 lakh
- Average price obtained: ₹130
🌴 Coconut Palms Used as Intercrop
- ‘Kotta’ (local variety)
- 3-year-old palms
- ‘Arnam’ palms
- Yellow coconut palms
Planting Pattern:
- 4 coconut palms for every mangosteen tree
- 4-year-old mangosteen saplings planted
Transplanting 4-year-old mangosteen saplings into the center of the coconut palms ensures enough shade for mangosteen trees and provides additional income from coconut palms.
4-7 year old coconut palms are the best for tender coconut.
- ✅ Shorter palms
- ✅ Minimal loss due to falling
- ✅ Easier harvesting
Instead of waiting for the coconut to mature, harvesting it as tender coconut after 40 days is more profitable.
| Stage | Water Quantity |
|---|---|
| Initially | 150-200 ml |
| After 40 Days | 1600-1700 ml |
One tender coconut fetches 20 rupees. This is a stable income that can be sold to coconut water stalls or shops.
For good yield, cow dung, bone meal, and potash are given as fertilizers. Neem cake and salt are also used.
- ✅ Cow dung
- ✅ Bone meal
- ✅ Potash
- ✅ Neem cake
- ✅ Salt
Important Practice:
- Cow dung and organic fertilizers are applied once a year
- No chemical fertilizers are used
- Only organic fertilizers are used for the palms
A change in mindset is needed to think of selling as tender coconut.
👨🌾 Expert Opinion
R. Halamadevan
Deputy Director (Retd.), Coconut Development Board
The coconut palm is a major crop in Kerala. However, the farmers in Kerala are facing a crisis due to the fall in coconut prices. Selling as tender coconut is a way to overcome this.
- Tender coconuts should be sold at the right time
- Tender coconuts should be harvested carefully
- Tender coconuts should be lowered using a rope
- This ensures better quality
| Details | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tender coconut market price | Around ₹50 |
| Amount reaching farmers | ₹16-17 |
This gap needs to be reduced.
If farmers can sell directly:
- Farmers can get 90% of the consumer price
- Currently, only 25% of the price reaches the farmer
This situation must change.
There is a huge market for tender coconut. Local markets should be utilized and farmers’ groups should be formed to sell tender coconuts.
- ✅ Chavakkad Orange Dwarf
- ✅ Gangabondam
- ✅ Short palms
- ✅ Early yielding
- ✅ High water content
Promoting these varieties among farmers is essential for the growth of the tender coconut sector. Selling as tender coconut is the best way to ensure a stable income for the farmers of Kerala.
