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Soil and water conservation measures for sustainable coconut production: Impact of interventions under Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme

A study was conducted to analyse the experiences and impact of technological interventions related to soil and water conservation implemented in 105 coconut farmers’ gardens in Kasaragod District of Kerala state during 2009 to 2011 under Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP). Participatory assessment of soil and water conservation technologies was done using matrix scoring technique. Impact assessment showed that soil conserved in the coconut basin having half-moon bund around it varied greatly in different farms. Soil collected varied from 0.038 m3 to 0.091 m3 and water conserved varied from 1.2 m3 to 9.6 m3. Soil conserved in a trench varied from 0.35 m3 to 0.082 m3 and water conserved varied from 1.8 m3 to 8.3 m3. The average pre-intervention yield was 54 nuts per palm per year. The post intervention yield was increased to 64 nuts per palm thereby indicating an average yield increase by 19 per cent. Based on the matrix scoring, mulching coconut basins was ranked first compared to other soil and water conservation technologies. Simple and comparatively low cost soil and water conservation technologies could be replicated in a substantial number of farm holdings through the farmer participatory watershed-based decentralized development schemes of local self governments with the support of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme under MGNREGA thus indicating the replicability and horizontal spread of technologies demonstrated under the FPARP project. Analysis of impact of technological interventions under FPARP in farmers’ field revealed the efficacy of soil and water conservation technologies for water saving/water use efficiency and yield enhancement in coconut besides enhancement in knowledge about soil and water conservation measures

Biodiversity and Community based Institutions _ A Case study on Kadalkodathy of Malabar Coast

The health of marine ecosystems and associated biodiversity are a fundamental basis not only for the livelihoods security of the coastal fisherfolk but also for the capacity of the sector to contribute to its well being (FA0.2014). A durable fishery depends on a well-functioning ecosystem which in turn calls for effective management systems that ensure its conservation. There is no need to reiterate the fact that there can not be fish without the ecosystem that produce them. There is increasing recognition that fisheries management should integrate the Convention on Biodiversity. Article 7.2,2 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries dem ands that the management measures should provide inter alia that the biodiversity of aquatic habitats and ecosystems is conserved and endangered species are protected. It is also true that without a socio-political context capable of nurturing an ethos of responsible stewardship there can not be a resilient fisheries. The notion of community as agents for fisheries management is gaining currency (Kooiman et al 2005,), In this context it would be of interest to find that a very unique traditional community based fisheries management institution called Kadalkodathy has stood the test of time along the Malabar coast of Kerala

Assessing status of pests and diseases with cluster approach - A case of coconut in Kasaragod district in Northern Kerala

The main objective of integrated pest and disease management is to intervene efficiently to reduce crop damage at minimum costand inflicting minimum damage to the environment. The basic requirement for such programmes is the availability of a costeffectivesampling method for assessing the status of incidence and intensity of the disease/pest attack wherein, accurate estimatesis achieved through minimum efforts. In the present study, a sampling strategy and measures of severity and crop loss forsimultaneous assessment of incidence of major pests and diseases of coconut were formulated and implemented in Kasaragoddistrict of Kerala. The sampling methodology involved a cluster approach in which four clusters of at least 500 bearing palmsfrom a minimum of ten coconut gardens, representing the geographical strata of the panchayath, were scored visually for theincidence of major pests and diseases. District level estimates were derived incorporating area under coconut in each panchayathas the weight. Information on geographic coordinates was recorded and utilized for preparation of thematic maps using Arc-GIS.Further, crop loss due to the major pests and diseases were also estimated under certain scenarios. The study revealed that diseaseslike stem bleeding and Thanjavur wilt were more prevalent in areas experiencing high temperature and low rainfall whereas,incidence of bud rot disease was significantly higher in hilly regions where low temperature and high humidity prevailed. Incidenceof pests like eriophyid mite and coreid bug was higher in coastal areas of the district. The study could serve as a model for similarstudies in future and the information emerging out of this study would help in formulating integrated pest and disease managementprogrammes at grass root level

Coconut sector in India experiencing a new regime of trade and policy environment: A critical analysis

Of late, Indian coconut sector is facing unprecedented crises on account of various macro and micro level factors. The productivity of the crop is constrained by low input use efficiency in conjunction with other biotic and abiotic stresses, which are priority areas of research. The aspect of mechanization also deserves adequate importance, considering the scarcity of skilled labour. Above all, the most important facet is value addition, which should be strengthened to mitigate the issue of low profitability of the sector. The post-World Trade Agreement (WTA) and ASEAN Treaty regime witnessed integration of plantation economies across the globe that resulted in fierce competition among producing countries. This paper addresses the pertinent issues on various facets of coconut economy by employing appropriate economic tools of analysis. The facets covered include trade aspects, global competitiveness, production economics, price analysis, policy level impediments and marketing issues. We have found that as far as the export markets of coconut value added products are concerned, India is comparatively a very small player with paltry export market shares. However, in recent times, Indian export sector has become vibrant with very high growth rate since Coconut Development Board (CDB) has been upgraded to the status of Export Promotion Council (EPC). Indian coconut sector has huge domestic demand, comparatively higher productivity, strong research support and technology delivery systems. In spite of these positive aspects, concerted efforts are lacking to effectively utilize the possible linkages between them for increasing the production and marketing efficiencies and enter the high value global chains. Sustainable coconut economy could only be achieved through integrated development of cultivation and industry coupled with a stable market

Sustainability of Farmer Producer Organisations - The case of producer organisations involved in the production and marketing of ‘neera’ in the coconut sector

Neera-the coconut inflorescence sap has been promoted as a potential value-added non-alcoholic beverage with abundant health benefits. The concerted effort of the stakeholder agencies could liberate the product from the policy regulations on its production under the excise act (known as ‘Abkari act’ in Kerala). Subsequently, the coconut producer federations (CPFs) in the State were granted licenses for ‘neera’ production and marketing. However, the majority of the CPFs discontinued the ‘neera’ enterprise, which they have initiated with greater enthusiasm. The present study is a modest attempt to trace the reasons for setbacks experienced in the ‘neera’ sector and also to provide a refined framework for revamping the sector. The details of licenses granted to the CPFs were sourced from the Department of Excise, Government of Kerala. The sample size of the study was 95 (13 CPFs who are still active and 82 CPFs who have discontinued). It was observed that the ‘neera’ value chain is in the evolving stage, and the withdrawal of the institutional support had detrimentally affected the confidence of the CPFs ventured into it. The availability of ‘neera’ technicians (tappers) and the high wage rates have evoked concerns on the profitability as well as the assurance of continuous supply of the product. The study categorically highlights the need for a restructured value chain of ‘neera’ with specific roles assigned to the stakeholders through the creation of functional linkages

Puzzlements in an evolving commodity chain: The case of tender coconut market in Kerala

Not AvailableThe tender coconut market in the Kasaragod district is a perfect example of multiple market formations at different regions of the district. Apparently there were no entry barriers or price discrimination in the market. We could observe the coexistence of all theoretically possible market behavior patterns, which evidently reflects an evolving commodity market. For instance in Kasaragod, major share of the tender coconut supply was found to be provided by three traders, and on the other hand at certain regions we could observe perfect competition in the supply side which enhanced the bargaining position of the retailer/vendor

Analyzing the trade competitiveness of Indian coconut sector in the liberalization regime

Coconut export sector in India of late gained an outward orientation, especially since the Coconut Development Board was elevated to the status of export promotion council in the year 2009. In the recent period, the growth rate experienced in the coconut based value added products has been stupendous. Since there is an attempt for global value chain up-gradation at the production node of the sector, it is imperative to analyse our strengths in the world market in comparison with the major competitors. We have used the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) methodology to analyse India’s competitiveness in the exports of major coconut value added products traded across the world. The study revealed that, as far as the coconut value added products are concerned, India is comparatively a very small player with paltry export market shares. The analysis of RCA revealed that comparative advantage of India is lower than the major coconut exporting countries like Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The Philippines is the dominant player with highest RCA indices in most of the coconut value added product lines. The study suggests the need to formulate plausible strategies to reach the overseas market and capture the optimal share in market segments. Though we have a strong domestic market base, it is an indubitable fact that in the near future due to the evolving trade agreements even in the domestic sector we may confront fierce price competition from the overseas imports. Hence we need to chalk out modalities and execution plans to elevate our export competitiveness and comparative advantage

Group approach for enhancing profitability of small holders through technology integration-reflections from coconut farming

Technology integration for enhancing productivity and income from coconut farming, facilitated through stakeholder participation, was a major objective of the NAIP sub-project on ‘Value chain in coconut’ implemented in a consortium mode with ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod as the lead institute. To achieve this objective, 10 clusters of coconut farmers were formed under the project in selected panchayats of Kasaragod district in Kerala state. A total of 534 farmers covering 250 ha participated in the project interventions. Appropriate production technologies were integrated in their holdings which included intercropping, growing of leguminous crops in the coconut basin, organic recycling through vermicomposting and integrated nutrient management. Group action was initiated among the farmers for taking up need-based integrated disease management measures especially to control bud rot disease of coconut. Knowledge and skill upgradation of farmers on the selected technologies were achieved through various institutional and off campus training programmes. The net income from the coconut farming in small and marginal holdings could be increased through the interventions under the project. Technology integration in the holdings also resulted in the increase of coconut productivity from 60 to 112 nuts per palm. Technology integration in small and marginal coconut holdings for higher productivity and income through Community Based Organizations approach is scaled up by other agencies like Coconut Development Board for implementing development/extension programmes

Production forecasting of coconut: Variation in number of bearing palms and productivity in selected districts in India

Forecasting of coconut production in the country was attempted for three consecutive years from 2006-07. Stratified multistage sampling design was employed. At district level, forecasting of production was arrived by multiplying average predicted yield of palms with the 'harvested-area' of the crop in that district. Ratio estimator was constructed to obtain forecasting at different administrative levels. The all India forecasts of coconut production in the years 2006-07 to 2008-09 were obtained as 13448, 16331 and 14183 million nuts against the published values of 15840, 14743 and 15729 in order. On observing noticeable reduction in area under coconut in Kerala, the all India forecasting was revised as separately working out the forecasts for Kerala and rest of India and adding. By following this approach, the per cent difference of forecasts with published values were observed to be reduced from 15.1, -10.8, and 9.8 to 10.5, -5.2, and 6.0 in order in the years 2006-07 to 2008-09