The Hindu : Kerala News : Coconut Day on October 12

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 03, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Coconut Day on October 12

By Our Special Correspondent

KOZHIKODE. OCT. 2. Coconut Day is being observed on October 12 to draw attention to the grave problems facing nearly 45 lakh growers in the State.

The Coconut Growers' Association, which is leading the protests, has announced it would stage demonstrations in front of the Principal Agricultural Officers that day.

The association plans to raise its problems and grievances before the Union Minister for Agriculture, Sharad Pawar, when he visits the State on October 12.

Crisis

P. G. Velayudhan Nair, general secretary of the Coconut Growers Association, Nair, believes that the crisis had been triggered by the extensive spread of diseases that had devastated nearly one-and-a-half crores coconut trees.

Mandari mite, quick wilt and other diseases had wrought such havoc that there was no other alternative but to fell the affected coconut palms. Loss of the yielding trees would be a big financial loss to the farmers.

The association believes that the crisis could be defused if the Coconut Technology Vision, which is part of the Kumarakom package, announced by the former Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, is implemented.

Effective measures

Improvement of irrigation facilities and introduction of effective measures to check spread of diseases were urgently needed to save the growers.

Small and medium irrigation schemes that would make use of the rivers Bharatapuzha, Pamba, Periyar and Kadalundipuzha had to be set up. Provision for extensive, compulsory and free spraying of pesticides and subsidy for bio-fertilisers were also urgently needed.

The association spokesman demanded a ban on import of almond, clove and cocoa, which are grown as inter-crops, as another measure to alleviate farmers' income.

Mr. Velayudhan Nair pointed out that farmers were denied representation on the Spices Board and on advisory committees of Coconut Board, Kerafed, krishi bahavans, and irrigation projects.

The association is unhappy that the Central Coconut Board is without a Chairman "as if a candidate fit for the post is not available among the growers''.

Representation required

The Horticulture Commissioner is currently holding the post of Central Coconut Board Chairman. The association plans to place before the Union Agriculture Minister its demand for the appointment of a coconut grower as Chairman of the Coconut Board.

The growers have also demanded compensation at the rate of Rs. 1,000 per coconut tree that is felled to check spread of the disease and for the resultant loss of earnings.

Urgent relief measures were needed in the coconut sector, which is a main source of rural income. Coconut production had been steadily diminishing in the State. In the 1970s the State produced nearly 500 crore nuts in 21 lakh hectares.

Decline in production

Although coconut is now grown on 32 hectares, its production had declined to nearly 400 crores owing to crippling diseases and inadequate use of manure. Yet the State continues to account for 45 per cent of total coconut output in the country and 60 per cent of milling copra.

The association is hopeful of getting a favourable response from the Union Minister for Agriculture.

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