Coconut production is significant in India’s national economy. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, India is one of the world’s largest coconut producers. Coconut farming on a large scale is practiced in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Other coconut-producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Gujarat, Assam, Pondicherry, and Goa, as well as the island territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar. The tropical climate of these states, along with their fertile soil, makes them ideal for coconut farming.
Kerala alone accounts for nearly one-third of India’s total coconut production. Kerala are named after the words ‘alam’ and ‘kera’, which mean ‘coconut’. Keralites, who appear to have at least four or five trees on their small plots of land, claim to be Kalpa Vriksham “heaven’s trees”. Coconuts are harvested every 40 days due to the long growing seasons, with each tree producing 20 to 30 coconuts per harvest. Kerala has a long tradition of intercropping, which involves growing other crops like bananas, pineapples, and pepper alongside coconut trees. This helps to optimize land use and increase farmers’ income.
Coconut trees are commonly grown in Kerala’s estates and in small farms. The state has over 800,000 hectares of coconut plantations, accounting for roughly 41% of total coconut production in India. Coconut oil, coconut milk, and desiccated coconut are major export items from Kerala, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.
In Kerala, coconut trees are commonly grown in homesteads and on small farms. The state has over 800,000 hectares of coconut plantations, which account for about 41% of India’s total coconut production. Coconut products such as coconut oil, coconut milk, and desiccated coconut are major export items from Kerala, contributing significantly to the state’s economy. Coconut oil can be produced from coconut.
Also in Kerala, the leaves of the trees are used to make sheds, baskets, and doormats, the husk to make coir, the shell to make ladles and spoons, and the fruits to make hair oil or to eat. Coconut is a common ingredient in many Kerala dishes, and coconut oil is widely used to make drinks like coconut toddy and dishes like appam. Coconut is also used to make coconut milk, which is required for traditional curries. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kumarakom, Paravur, Mararikulam, and Periyar are among the places in Kerala that offer coconut tours to visitors, providing an insight into coconut cultivation in Kerala.
Small-scale farmers with small plots of land typically practise coconut farming in India. These farmers frequently use traditional farming methods, such as manual labour for tasks like harvesting and climbing trees to collect coconuts. However, in recent years, modern technologies and practices such as irrigation systems and hybrid coconut tree varieties have been adopted to improve yields and sustainability.
Apart from manufacturing oil, coconuts are used to produce soaps, hair oils, cosmetics and other products like food and beverages, and traditional medicines. The husks and shells are used for a variety of purposes, including the production of coir fiber for ropes and mats and activated charcoal for water purification.