Goa government must address the decline in coconut production and acreage
Earlier this week, Goa almost forgot World Coconut Day, which falls on September 2. The day highlights the importance of the coconut tree, often called the ‘tree of life’ (kalpavriksh), and promotes awareness about its economic, nutritional and cultural value. The day was first marked in 2009 by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC). Goa could definitely take a more proactive role in such events. Currently, the day brings together coconut-producing countries to recognise the millions of farmers whose livelihoods depend on this crop. Not long ago, ‘The Navhind Times’ highlighted the pressures being faced by the crop and its many consumers. The soaring cost is an indicator of this crisis.
The coconut is botanically not a true nut but a fruit, specifically, a drupe, or a fruit with three layers: an outer skin, a fibrous husk and a hard, woody shell. It is also many things all rolled into one: a staple of life, a culinary anchor, and an important part of rituals and religion in Goa. The state’s cuisine depends heavily on coconut milk, grated coconut and coconut oil. Coir rope, coconut shells and timber from the tree have sustained Goa’s boat-building and fishing sector and provided roofs over the heads of so many. Not to forget the palm fronds being used as thatch roofing, mats and fences, shells being carved into ladles, and trunks serving as building timber.
With their flexible trunks and deep roots, coconut palms helped protect Goa’s coastal belt from winds and erosion. You may not learn this in school, but the tree (Cocos nucifera) doesn’t have a taproot like many trees and instead has a fibrous root system made up of hundreds (or thousands) of thin roots.
Goa’s centuries-long romance with the coconut tree and its many products is reflected in the Konkani language, which has literally dozens of words related to the coconut. From ancient times the palm has been more than just a crop. It has been a companion, provider and symbol of abundance. Artistes like Vijaydatta Lotlikar of Parra and ‘Coco’ Franco of Benaulim have taken coconut art to new levels in the present and past. The coconut appears in rituals and proverbs, in village economies and coastal landscapes. It has shaped livelihoods and identities across generations. Even as modern pressures threaten its presence, the coconut continues to stand tall. It is a sign of Goa’s resilience and creativity. We need to remember this throughout the year, beyond just one day alone.
Unfortunately, in Goa, coconut production has been on the decline in the last few years. There is reportedly a drop of 7.5 per cent over the past two years. Ageing plantations, pests, disease, labour shortage, wild animal attack, high fertiliser costs and ‘developmental activities’ are among the factors contributing to the decline. In 2017, after an agitation, the coconut reclaimed its status as a ‘tree’. The government needs to come out with a plan to save the tree. Our agriculture department may have many schemes, but they need to reach the cultivator. In coconut-growing states, the governments are proactive. On the occasion of the World Coconut Day two days ago, the Coconut Development Board in Kerala announced a significant increase in the financial assistance to coconut farmers. There should be a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the coconut crisis afflicting the state. When it is considered a sacred ‘sriphal’, it also deserves to get focused attention. Goa’s most loved tree deserves better treatment.
