CONSOLIDATED REPORT

CONCURRENT ESTIMATION OF COCONUT PRODUCTION IN 2012-13

Coconut Development Board (Ministry of Agriculture, Govt.Of ) Kochi - 682 011

Consolidated Report on Concurrent Estimation of Coconut Production In Kerala 2012-13

Compiled and consolidated by

V.G.Chandrasekharan V.C. Vasanthkumar P.V.Preethakumari Renu P Viswam Vinod E S

Foreword

Coconut is one of the principal cash crops supporting millions of small and marginal farmers. In gross value of output (GVO) for Kerala (2009-10) coconut crop holds first position in , and Alappuzha second position in Kannur, , Ernakulam ,Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts and third position in Kasaragod,,Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts. The importance of the crop is significant in the state.

At present the official statistics on coconut production is released by the Directorate of Economic and Statistics or The Department of Agriculture/Horticulture of State Governments and the Agricultural Ministry, Government of India with a time lag of about two years. The availability of timely data on production of coconut is being addressed by the Board by conducting surveys for concurrent estimation of coconut production for the agricultural year 2012-13 in association with colleges/universities in the major coconut growing districts in Kerala,Karnataka,TamilNadu and Andhra Pradesh. The cooperation has to be extended further and strengthened in future for evolving a robust production estimation model for coconut.

Agriculture in India contributes substantial portion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Agriculture is a way of life to about two- third human population of country. With low per capita income and high population growth plus cereal based diet, oil seeds/ horti crops like coconut have unique advantage in supporting food security for a large population

T.K. Jose I.A.S Chairman

Contents Page No

1. Introduction 6

1.1 Background 6

1.2 Objectives 7

1.3 Approach 7

2. Coconut Situation in Kerala 7

2.1 Acreage and Production 7

2.2 Economic Importance 9

2.3 Constraints in Production 9

3. Locale of the Survey 10

4. Methodology 11

4.1 Organization of Survey 11

4.2 Sampling design 11

4.3 Details of Block / Grama Panchayat and

Selected number of holdings covered in Kerala 13

4.4 Schedule / Format used 16

5. Analysis 17

5.1 Concept and Definition 17

5.2 Holding Size 18

5.3 Plant Density and Yielding Palms 18

5.4 Estimation Procedure 21

6. Findings at a Glance 23

Tables

2.1 Area, production and yield of coconut in major States of India (2010-11) 9 3 Area, Production and yield of coconut in the surveyed districts 10 4.3.1 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in Kasaragod district 13 4.3.2 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in Kannur district 13 4.3.3 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in 14 4.3.4 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in 14 4.3.5 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in 15 4.3.6 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in 15 4.3.7 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in Ernakulam district 15 4.3.8 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in Kottayam district 16 4.3.9 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in Alapuzha district 16 4.3.10 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in Kollam district 16 4.3.11 Blocks / Panchayaths wise details of holdings survey in Thiru’puram district 16

5.2 No. of holdings and average size of the holding 18 5.3 District wise details of plant density and percentage of yielding palm 19 5.4 Coconut Production Estimation for 2012-13 21

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Agriculture in India contributes substantial portion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Agriculture is a way of life to about two- third human population of country. With low per capita income and high population growth plus cereal based diet, oil seeds/ horti crops like coconut have unique advantage in supporting food security for a large population

Coconut palm provides food security and livelihood to large size of population in the world particularly in Asia Pacific Countries. Considering the versatile nature of the crop and the multivarious uses of its products, coconut palm is eulogized as KALPAVRIKSHA (Tree of Heaven). Coconut is a source of food, beverage, medicine, natural fiber, fuel, wood and raw materials for units producing a variety of goods. Coconut is also interlinked with socio economic life of large number of small and marginal farmers in the peninsular India. It is estimated that about 12 million people in India are dependent on the crop’s cultivation, processing and trading activities. With an annual production of around 17,000 million nuts, coconut contribution to GDP is about 15,000 crores rupees.

In general the official statistics on area and production is released by state by the state Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In other states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha and UTs coconut production estimation is exercised by Agriculture or Horticulture, Department of State Governments. The All India final estimate of area and production of coconut are officially released by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics under the Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperation, Government of India until 2008-09.

Since 2009-10 onwards the Advisor (Hort), Horticulture Division under the Ministry, Government of India was releasing the All India final estimate of area and production all horticulture crops including of coconut. Usually it was observed the release of official data by the State DES/Agri/ Hort Departments delay with a two years gap. Where as, availability of concurrent data on coconut production is critical for informed decision making on many policy issues related to the crop and its development matters including Minimum Support Price fixation and other market intervention programme. Hence it was felt appropriate to have a concurrent estimation of coconut production by the Board itself. Further the Board has also been advised by the Ministry of Agriculture for undertaking advance production estimation of coconut. Hence coconut Development Board took a decision in its 111th Board meeting held on 15.09.2012 for undertaking a production estimation survey in 31 major coconut districts of four coconut growing states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for the agriculture year 2012-13.

1.2 Objectives

1. To build concurrent estimation of coconut production for 2012-13 in the 4 major coconut growing southern states. 2. To develop a scientific model for predicting the yield of crop at least 6 months in advance. 3. To forecast yield and production of coconut for the year 2013-14.

1.3 Approach

In order to meet the objectives of the study sample survey approach was followed. A representative sample of coconut farmers was selected for collection and the requisite data on palm density and yield details collected made use in estimating coconut production.

2. Coconut Situation in Kerala

2.1 Acreage and production

Coconut is grown in almost all homesteads in the state. Predominantly it is grown in small and marginal holdings. Kerala has the largest area under the crop with 41.6% of national acreage. During the period 1950-51 to 2010-11 the area under coconut increased from 409400 ha to 788000 ha and coconut production from 2026 million nuts to 6239 million nuts. Kerala was contributing 61.7 % of coconut production in the country (1950-51). Its contribution was increased to 69.4% in the year 1960-61. During the decade ending 1970-71, its share in production was diminishing (65.53%). During the decade ending 1980-81 state share in production further declined to 51.1%. Over the period from 1980-81 to 2010-11 coconut production increased at annual growth rate of 2.43 % while that of area increased by 0.56%, indicating that increased production was due to increase in yield. The yield per ha in Kerala was 4948 nuts in 1950-51. It made modest increase to 6921 nuts/ Ha in 1956-57 and followed by declining trend which bottomed at 4533 nuts in 1977-78. Over the period from 1980-81 to 2010-11 yield per Ha varied from 4557 nuts to7918 nuts per Ha in the state.

Coconut Production in Kerala (Source : DES, Kerala)

Coconut Production in Kerala 2011-12 (Source : DES, Kerala)

The coconut production scenario in the state vis- a- vis other major state growing coconut is shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Area, production and yield of coconut in major states of India (2010-11)

State Area % Share Production % Yield (‘000 (in million nuts) Share (Nuts/Ha) Ha) Kerala 7918 788 41.6% 6239 36.8% Karnataka 419 22.1% 2340 13.8% 5584 Tamil Nadu 390 20.6% 5771 34.1% 14796 Andhra 10024 Pradesh 104 5.5% 1043 6.2% Source: Horticulture Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India

2.2 Economic Importance

Coconut crop accounts for 40.2% of the net cropped area cultivated in Kerala (2010-11). It provides raw material support for the traditional industries of coir and oil milling. It is estimated that at least 5 million people dependent on this crop for their employment and livelihood. Coconut accounts for about 17.29%of the agricultural income of the state.(2008-09)

2.3 Constraints in Production

Lack of scientific approach in crop management technology adoption, uneconomic holding size poor quality of planting materials, used debilitating root will disease in southern districts, climate change and dry spell in northern districts, high input cost and non availability of labours for agricultural works, low price of the coconut etc are factors of low yield and production of coconut in the state.

3. Locale of the Survey

The study was carried out in 11 districts of Kerala namely Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Palakkad, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. The other 3 districts were not included in the Survey as coconut is not a major crop there. The 11 districts covered under the survey accounted 94.6 % the area under crop in the state and contribute 95.3 % to the production. The details of area and production are furnished in Table 3.

Table 3- Area, production and yield of Coconut in Kerala (2011-12) Sl Area ('000 Production (in No: State/Districts Ha) million nuts) Yield (Nuts/ha) 1 Alappuzha 39 219 5680 2 Ernakulam 46 241 5197 3 Idukki 17 95 5537 4 Kannur 90 645 7139 5 Kasargod 60 508 8515 6 Kollam 55 427 7721 7 Kottayam 28 149 5282 8 Kozhikode 128 852 6672 9 Malappuram 109 947 8670 10 Palakkad 61 493 8145 11 Pathanamthitta 16 137 8465 12 Thiruvananthapuram 71 572 8009 13 Thrissur 90 608 6780 14 Wayanad 11 48 4565 Kerala 821 5941 7237 Source : DES, Kerala Area and production of Coconut in Kerala (2011-12 )

4. Methodology

4.1 Organization of Survey

The sample survey was undertaken in association with Department of Economics /Statistics of selected colleges having PG courses / Universities (CUSAT, Kerala Agricultural University). Heads of Departments (Economics/ Statistics) were the Coordinators of the survey in each district. PG/ Degree students were employed for field work for collection of primary data. For accurate observation of yield data the services of palm climbers were also utilized in counting the nuts at the palms according to the age of nuts. The field work was completed under direct supervision of the Coordinators for which special orientation / pre test surveys were conducted at each district/ Institutions level by Board officials.

4.2 Sampling design.

The data required for the estimation studies were collected by multi stage sampling design. The sampling designs of the survey was discussed and finalized in consultation with Coordinators of the associating institutions and other experts held on 22.09.2012 at CDB

• The districts for conducting the survey selected based on the extent of area cultivated. Accordingly minimum area for selecting a district in is 35,000 ha, 14000 ha in respect of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and 16000 ha for Karnataka. • From each identified district, selection of Blocks/Taluks made based on the extent of area in a block/taluk. • From each Block, Grama Panchayats were selected purely on random basis on sampling norms for selecting the holdings • From each selected Panchayats 10 holdings having minimum 20 bearing palms in case of Kerala, 40 bearing palms in case of remaining states were selected randomly as per sampling techniques for collection of data. . • From each selected holdings 10 palms further selected at random selected for yield observations • From the 10 selected palms, bunches carrying developing nuts after fertilization, i.e. three months and above observed and recorded the number of nuts in each bunch in chronological order.

Sample Details in each district

No: of holdings selected in each district

4.3 Details Block / Grama Panchayat and selected numbers of holdings covered in Kerala The list of District/ Block wise/Grama Panchayat and number of holdings survey are given below.

Table 4.3.1 – Kasargod District Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Holdings 1. Kanhangad Uduma ,Periya ( Pulloor) 47 2. Manjeswar Mangalapaady ,Paivalige 41 3. Nileswar Cheemeni ( Kayyoor),Thrukkaripur 39 4. Kasaragod Chenkala,Chemmanaad 39 Total 166

Table 4.3.2 – Kannur District Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Holdings 1 Koothuparambu Maangaattidam,Kottayam 40 2. Payyannur Alapadamp(Kaankol),kuttoor(Eramam) 38 3. Taliparamba Pariyaaram,Udayagiri 38 4 Edakkadu Elayavoor 23 5 Irikkur Mayyil 22 6 Thalassery Eranjoli 19 7 Iritty Koodali 18 8 Peravoor Maloor 14 Total 212

Table 4.3.3 – Kozhikode District

Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat Selected No of

Panchayat Holdings

1 Kunnamangalam Kuruvattor,Mukkom 47 2 Balussery Naduvannoor,Unnikulam 46 3 Kizhakkoth,Omasserry 42 4 Perambra Cheruvannoor,Chakkittapaara 36 5 Kunnummel Kunnummal,Kaavilumpaara 35 6 Chelannur Chelannur 32 7 Thuneri Valayam 33 8 Thodannur Thiruvelloor 22

9 Melady Thurayoor 17

10 Kozhikode Ramanaattukara 15 11 Panthalayani Chengottukaav 13 12 Vadakara Azhiyoor 12 Total 350

Table 4.3.4 – Malappuram District Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Holdings 1 2 Tanur Perumannaklari 7 2 Kalpakancherry 26 3 Arikkode Cheekode 26 4 Wandoor Wandoor 26 5 Elamkulam 25 6 Thenjippalam 23 7 Chaaliyaar 22 8 Vazhakadav 22 9 Malappuram Morayoor 21 10 Puzhakkaattiri 21 11 Mangalam 19 12 Vengara Edarikkode 16 13 Perumpadappu Alamkode 15 14 Kalady 12 Total 301

Table 4.3.5 – Palakkad District

Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat Selected No of Panchayat Holdings 1 Chittoor Perumatti 20 2 Thachampaara 16 3 Attappady Puthoor 4 4 Alathur Vadakkancherry 30 5 Pattaambi 22 6 Thrithala Thrithala 20 7 Malampuzha Puthusserry 32 8 Sreekrishnapuram Vellinezhi 12 9 Palakkad Pirayiri 16 Total 17 2

Table 4.3.6 – Thrissur District

Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Holdings 1 Cheruthuruthy Vallathole Nagar 20 2 Vadakkanchery Erumpapetty 24 3 20 4 Punnayoor 20 5 Valappad 24 6 Mathilakam Mathilakom 20 7 Irinjalakkuda Kuzhoor 16 8 Vellangalur 16 9 Mullasseri 20 10 Anthikkad 20 11 20 12 6 Total 226

Table 4.3.7 – Ernakulam District Sl.No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Holdings 1 Angamali Mookannoor,Ayyampuzha 21 2 Kothamangalam Pallarimangalam,Kavalangad 22 3 Paravoor Vadakkekara,Kottuvalli 2 Nayarambalam,Njarakkal, 21 4 Vypin Pallippuram 5 Palluruthy Edakochi 10 Total 96

Table 4.3.8 – Kottayam District Sl.No Block Grama Panchayat No of . Panchayat Holdings 1 Kaduthuruthy Kallara 20 2 Ettumanoor Kumarakom 20 3 Vaikom Vazhoor 20 4 Uzhavoor Marangattupally 20 Total 80

Table 4.3.9 – Alappuzha District Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Holdings 1 Muthukulam Pathiyoor 22 2 Harippad Thrikkunnapuzha 20 3 Pattanakkadu Ezhupunna 17 4 Kanjikkuzhi Thanneermukkam 16 5 Mavelikkara Chettikulangara 9 6 Bharanikavu Mavelikkara-Thamarakkulam 9 7 Thaikkattussery Thaikkattussery 8 8 Chengannur Puliyoor 8 Total 109

Table 4.3.10 – Kollam District Sl.No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Holdings 1 Ithikkara Kalluvaathukkal 20 2 Chavara Panmana 15 3 Kottarakkara Kareepra 15 4 Karunagappally Alappad 15 5 Vettikkavala Mylom 15 6 Mukhathala ThrukkovilVattom 20 7 Ochira Thazhava 15 Total 115

Table 4.3.11 – Thiruvananthapuram District Sl. No. Block Grama Panchayat No of Panchayat Selected Holdings 1 Kilimanoor Madavoor 24 2 Nemom Maaranalloor 24 3 Athiyannur Venganoor 18 4 Chirayinkeezh Anchuthengu 17 5 Vellanad Vellanad 12 6 Nedumangad Karakulam 11 Total 106

4.4 Schedule/ format used. Properly structured (with four parts) printed formats were used by field investigators for collection of primary data. Part A meant for geographical information of the holdings surveyed, part B the personal details of coconut farmer, part C information about coconut holding and part D meant for specific yield details of selected palms.

5. Analysis

5.1 Concept and Definitions.

The main purpose of analysis of data is to obtain estimates of yield and production per palm and per hectare which is require for obtaining estimates of production with a reasonable degree of precision. Estimate of production can be obtained according to different concepts used which are

Total number of nuts obtained in a year

Average yield per palm = Total number of yielding palms

Total number of palms Average plant density = Coconut cultivated area/ha

Total number of yielding palms Area yielding palm density = Yielding coconut area

Total cultivated area Average holding size = Total No of holdings

Average yield /ha = Average per palm yield X yielding palm density /ha

5.2 Holding size

The total area covered under the survey is 1021.54 ha and the total holding is 1933. The lowest size of holding reported is for Thiruvananthapuram at 0.33 ha and the highest at 0.83 ha for Kottayam. The average size of holding at state level works out at 0.53 ha. The district wise holding size and plant density are given in Table 5.2.

Table 5.2 Number of holdings and average size of the holding Average size of a Sl holding No: District No. of Holdings (ha) 1 Kasargod 166 0.60 2 Kannur 212 0.55 3 Kozhikode 350 0.31 4 Malappuram 301 0.55 5 Palakkad 172 0.70 6 Thrissur 226 0.37 7 Ernakulam 96 0.66 8 Alappuzha 109 0.75 9 Kottayam 80 0.83 10 Kollam 115 0.71 11 Thiru ’puram 106 0.33 State 1933 0.53

5.3 Plant density and yielding palms

The planting density per unit area is an important factor influencing the overall performance of the holdings.175 palms per ha is considered as optimum palm density. The palm density found highest at 275 in Kollam district and found low at 127 palms in Kottayam district. The implementation of scheme for cutting and removal of disease advanced during 11 th five year plan period and implementation of Replanting and Rejuvenation scheme undertaken recently had been reduced the high palm density prevailed in the state. Table 6.2 shows the details of palm density for the surveyed districts. Density of yielding palms varies from 106 to 163 palms .The highest yielding palm density is reported at Palakkad district and lowest in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Table 5.3 - District wise details of plant density and percentage of yielding palm

Non Non Yield Yielding Sl yielding Yielding Yielding Palm Total Palm Palm No: Districts palms Palm % Palms % Palms Density/Ha Density/Ha 1 Kasargod 1510 9% 15921 91% 17431 175 160 2 Kannur 2688 14% 16954 86% 19642 169 146 3 Kozhikode 4050 21% 15220 79% 19270 177 138 4 Malappuram 2764 11% 21372 89% 24136 144 128 5 Palakkad 2026 9% 19504 91% 21530 179 163 6 Thrissur 2277 17% 11210 83% 13487 162 135 7 Ernakulam 2825 24% 9046 76% 11871 187 143 8 Alappuzha 5017 35% 9306 65% 14323 176 114 9 Kottayam 1543 18% 6865 82% 8408 127 120 10 Kollam 6128 27% 16334 73% 22462 275 144 11 Thiru ‘puram 1410 28% 3672 72% 5082 147 106

STATE 32238 18% 145404 82% 177642 174 142

Details of Yielding and Non yielding palms and total palms

Yielding Palm Density /Ha

5.4 Estimation Procedure

Data on number of bearing palm in the holding, number of nuts from 3 months old to 8 months and above were compiled for working out the average yield per palm block wise. Table 5.2 summarizes the average yield per palm aggregated at district level. The yield is expressed on per yielding palm basis and on average yield per ha basis. The simple average yield given in Table 5.4 shows disparity in average yields across the districts surveyed.

Table 5.4 Estimated Coconut Production for 2012-13

Sl. District Yield Estimated Production No per palm yield Estimate in (nuts (nuts / ha) (million /Palm) nuts) 1 Kasargod 72 11520 687 2 Kannur 67 9782 884 3 Kozhikode 59 8142 1040 4 Malappuram 59 7552 825 5 Palakkad 77 12551 760 6 Thrissur 46 6210 557 7 Ernakulam 45 6435 298 8 Alappuzha 55 6270 242 9 Kottayam 46 5520 156 10 Kollam 42 6048 334 11 Thiruvananthapuram 69 7314 522 12 Surveyed Districts 6305 13 Non Surveyed Districts 356

Kerala 58 8114 6661

Estimated Coconut Yield per hectare in the surveyed districts

Estimated Coconut Production in million nuts

6 Findings at a glance

Number of Districts Selected for the Survey 11 Number of Blocks Selected for the Survey 89 Number of Panchayats Selected for the Survey 106 Total Sample Area Covered (Ha) 1021.54 Total Number of Holdings 1933 Total Number of Palms from which yield recorded 19330 Average Holding Size (Ha) 0.53 Total Number of Bearing palms in sample area 145404 (82%) Total Number of Non Bearing palms in sample area 32238 (18%) District with highest bearing palm density Malappuram (163) District with lowest bearing palm density Thiruvananthapuram 106 Estimated Yield /Hectare (number of nuts) 2012-13 8114 District with highest productivity (Estimate) Palakkad (12551 Nuts / Ha ) District with lowest productivity (Estimate) Kottayam (5520 Nuts / Ha ) District with highest production (Estimate) Kozhikode(1040 Million Nuts) District with lowest production (Estimate) Kottayam (156 Million Nuts ) Estimated Production in million nuts for the year 2012-13 6661 Production in million nuts for 2011-12 (DES) 5941

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References

1. Survey report for Kasaragod,Kannur and Malappuram districts by Prof.(Dr) K Harikurup. 2. Survey report for Kozhikode district by Prof. (Dr) AnilKumar 3. Survey report for Thrissur and Palakkad districts by Prof. (Dr) T.B.Ramkumar 4. Survey report for Ernakulam and Kollam districts by Prof. (Dr) D Rajasenan 5. Survey report for Alapuzha district by Prof Lalu Varghese 6. Survey report for Kottayam district by Prof (Dr) Joy Jacob 7. Survey report for Thiruvananthapuram district by Prof. (Dr) Elsamma Job and Prof (Dr) Vijayaraghavakumar

List of Institutions/Colleges

Sl.No District College/Institute Survey Coordinators

1 Kasargod Government College ,Kasaragod Hari Kurup K K 2 Kannur Government College , Kasaragode Hari Kurup K K 3 Kozhikode Farook College, Kozhikode Dr.P Anil Kumar 4 Malappuram Government College, Kasaragod Hari Kurup K K 5 Palakkad St. Thomas College, Thrissur Dr P.B. RamKumar 6 Thrissur St. Thomas College, Thrissur Dr P.B. RamKumar 7 Ernakulam CUSAT, Ernakulam D.Rajasenan 8 Alappuzha Christian College, Chengannur Prof.Lalu Varghese 9 Kottayam St. Thomas College, Pala Dr. Joy Jacob 10 Kollam CUSAT, Ernakulam D.Rajasenan 11 Elsamma Job Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani

Map of Kerala

Surveyed district