Geo-spatial variability in coconut productivity in different agro - ecological units in Kerala-An analysis

Abstract

Coconut plays a significant role in the agrarian economy of Kerala state. However, the state's share in the area as well as production of coconut in the country has been on the decline over the last many years. There exist huge variations in different districts and agro-ecological units of the state with regard to the productivity of coconut due to various factors including extent of adoption of crop management practices. A study was conducted covering different agro-ecological units in four selected districts of Kerala state to analyse the extent of adoption of recommended crop management practices and variability in coconut productivity in different agro-ecological units. Malappuram and Kannur districts were selected as the high productive district and the low productive district respectively in northern Kerala for the comparative study. In addition, as a representative of the root (wilt) affected southern districts, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram were selected, as low and high yielders, respectively, for the study.

The study involved field surveys to collect primary data on profile of coconut farmers, coconut gardens, input use, adoption of crop management practices etc. in addition to secondary information on soil and climatic variables. Each district was stratified into agro-ecological units and at least 50 gardens each with a minimum of 30 coconut palms were selected for field survey from each stratum. More than 85 % of the holdings in the surveyed districts belonged to small and marginal categories. Most of the profile characteristics of coconut growers in the state indicated limitations for them to get actively involved in farming related activities and achieve efficiency in terms of productivity and income from coconut farming.

Coconut farming in the state is dominated by monocropping and homestead farming. Systematic multiple cropping and integrated farming in coconut gardens were low. Level of adoption of recommended crop management practices of coconut in different AEUs across districts was low. Low level of adoption of recommended cultivation practices of coconut clearly indicated the neglect of palms which probably is the prime factor resulting in low productivity of coconut in the state. Recommended practices like improved varieties/hybrids and integrated disease management were quite low with average adoption percentage of 8.9 and 8.8 respectively. Spacing for maintenance of optimum plant density, on farm recycling of biomass and IPM practices were adopted by less than one third of the coconut growers only.

Malappuram district with an average of 59 nuts/palm/year was having the highest productivity wherein northern coastal plains (AEU 2) was the AEU with highest productivity (68 nuts/palm). Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha districts were having low productivity as compared to the state average at 38 and 44 nuts/palm/year, respectively. There existed significant difference in adoption of technologies between the two yield categories. Pest and disease incidence, percentage of those practised fully organic nutrients, those with neither organic nor inorganic, etc. were significantly higher in low yielders as expected. Proportion of farmers practising soil and water conservation, maintenance of optimum plant density, integrated nutrient management and IDM were significantly higher in high yielders (significant at 1% level of significance). It clearly suggests that technological interventions as per recommendation have resulted in increased yield. One of the major factors affecting crop productivity was the level of soil nutrients. Deficiency of organic carbon and potassium were more prominent in southern districts as compared to northern districts. Among the micro nutrients, boron deficiency was very prominent in all the districts. Logistic regression approach to concurrently estimate the effect of various technological and soil factors on coconut productivity validated the finding that adoption of recommended practices like soil and water conservation measures and optimum spacing contribute in yield enhancement.

Based on the findings of the study, a framework for action was suggested which included institutional innovations to achieve efficiency in productivity and income from neglected gardens and to evolve AEU-wise technology packages. Major suggestions on interventions included policies and programmes to promote adoption of scientific crop management practices, and popularise multiple cropping and integrated farming; group approach to overcome the resource limitations in the fragmented holdings; farmer participatory seedling production initiatives like community coconut nurseries managed by FPOs; evolve congenial policy environment for production and marketing of customized fertilizer inputs and link trained FPOs to Agro-Service Centres. Extension interventions with emphasis on promoting water conserving irrigation methods such as drip irrigation, creating awareness about the need to restructure coconut orchards to maintain optimum palm density, increasing awareness on importance of application of liming materials, and enlightening the coconut growers about the need for shifting from individual to community based decentralised participatory approach in IPM/IDM were also suggested.