Coconut is unique in all respects among other horticulture crops grown in the country as a source of food, drink, shelter and a variety of raw materials for industrial exploitation. The crop assumes considerable significance in the national economy in view of rural employment and income generation.

Major share of the coconut production in the country is contributed by millions of small and marginal farmers who form the backbone of coconut culture. The economy of the region is inter linked with the prospects of the crop wherever coconut is grown. With an area of 1.89 million hectares and production of 12,998 million nuts, coconut contributes Rs 7000 crore annually to the GDP.

The raw material for coir industry is derived from coconut husk and the country earns valuable foreign exchange to the tune of Rs 292 crore by way of export of coir and coir products. In addition nearly Rs 10 crore is earned through export of products other than coir.

The multi product aspect of coconut is its biggest asset. Its products are eco-friendly. Apart from all this, the coconut oil has much health and nutritional benefits, which are being increasingly recognised. Recent studies show that coconut can be used as an anti viral agent. The dominant position held by coconut previously is falling due to the following problems.1 Low farm productivity due to mono-cropping practice, poor genetic make up and nutrient deficiency of the soil etc.
2 Post harvest losses due to quality deterioration of copra in storage and transport, insect infestation, poor copra making practices and lower oil recovery due to harvesting of immature nuts. As per the survey conducted by Department of Agriculture, Kerala Agriculture University and the Central Plantation Crop Research Institute, the annual loss due to mite infestation in Kerala alone is estimated at Rs 500 crore. Kerala is the major coconut producing state, accounting for about 45% of total production.
3 Price instability due to increasing competition from substitute oils especially from palm and soybean both at the domestic and international markets.
4 Relative unremunrativeness of coconut farming being a predominantly monocrop.
5 Tenurial arrangement as a hindrance to increased investment in coconut culture.
6 Decline in coconut hectarage due to land conversion into commercial and industrial purposes.
Though beset with the above problems, India is the largest producer of coconuts with the highest productivity of 7,821 nuts per hectare.

There is a huge potential for coconut by-products and also raw coconuts. Exports of coir textiles from India in the past 5 years have showed a phenomenal growth, on an average registered 53% growth a year.

Exports have increased from 442 tons in 1994-95 to 1621 tons in 1999-00. More than 60% of coconut production is consumed in the Indian households in the raw form.

The government should take all possible efforts to avail for the farmer, high yielding varieties and hybrids, manures, fertilizers, pest management inter-cultivation facilities and adequate irrigation. It should focus on product diversification and market expansion.

A global research programme on coconut was highly stressed at a recently concluded coconut conference held at Chennai. There is a huge potential for increasing production and productivity. Area expansion as well as rehabilitation of existing plantations will have to go together to increase the production and productivity of coconut.

It is imperative that the major problems beset with the Indian farmers especially low farm yields, unresolved disease conditions and inefficient marketing system need to be addressed on priority. The foundation of the coconut industry needs to be strengthened.

This can only be done if there is a convergence of efforts both by the government and the private sector to have more and improved varieties that give higher yield. All efforts should be directed at this paramount concern. The processors-exporters can only improve their competitive posture domestically and internationally if there is a ground well of support in the form of reliable and continuous supply of coconuts.

The farmers and landowners will only stay in coconut farming if they find the enterprise truly profitable. Now it is high time for the government to act and support the perishing coconut industry coming out with a clear vision. The vision has to be grounded on making coconut farming productive, remunerative and reliable supplier of raw materials to the processing sector.If there is adequate and continuous supply of coconuts, changes in the processing and marketing sectors can easily come into place. For the pressure to innovate will become intense as stream of coconut supply flows into the processing plants.

With the governments providing the lead and direction, all major stakeholders should act in concert to revitalize the coconut industry. No stone should be left unturned in ensuring that the coconut industry does not fade into sunset.

With the increasing attention ought to be paid by the Indian Government and also international bodies like Asia and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), COGENT (International Coconut Genetic Resources Network) and BUROTROP (the international network on coconut and oil palm research), coconut will continue to serve humanity.

(Source :www.CommodityIndia.com,)