The coconut palm is synonymous with Kerala- in fact the name Kerala itself is derived from “kera” meaning coconut. Visitors to the state are enchanted by the picture postcard vistas of these tall swaying palms, whose fronds rustle constantly in breeze. The Keralites call the palm “kalpavriksha”, or the tree of life, because every part of the tree is useful to man- the flowers, the fruit, the nut, the husk, the bark, the leaves- even the central spine on each leaf is used . For centuries the coconut tree has provided food, drink, shelter, fuel, medicines and vessels for mankind, as well as the raw material for a host of products ranging from toys, jewellery, and artifacts to furniture and ropes. Yet farmers in Kerala had almost given up on coconut farming in the near past, because of the shortage of climbers, low prices and diseases that affected the trees. Today, all that is changing as the world wakes up to the immense potential of this palm, and Kerala launches initiatives to increase production and tap the growing global markets for its many products.
The re-emergence of the coconut
Tender coconut water is fast emerging as the world’s favourite drink, with its market recording a 100% growth in 2011, and retail sales jumping to over $400 million. Coconut oil, once considered to be cholesterol enhancing, is now acclaimed as the best and safest cooking oil. It is widely used in medicines, soaps and beauty products too. Coconut milk and milk powder, dessicated coconut and coconut vinegar are all consumed in huge quantities all over the world. Coir, made from the husk of the coconut shell, is an eco friendly natural fibre that has myriads of uses, and coir pith is used to make bio-manure. The coconut shell is in demand, not just for making jewelry and artifacts, but for the manufacture of charcoal and activated carbon. In fact, activated carbon is the highest value added coconut product today as it is used for water and air purification products.
War Footing
Kerala’s Coconut Development Board has launched measures to ensure the production of coconuts on a war footing, so as to guarantee the availability of raw nuts for industries, promote industries that manufacture coconut products, and tap global markets. KSIDC, the investment promotion arm of the government, has also pitched in by setting up a Coconut Park at Kuttiyadi in Kozhikode. Coconut Producer Societies have been formed to ensure that processing companies will not have difficulty in sourcing the nuts that are needed. The Kerala Government has declared 2012-2013 as “Ilaneer Varsham” or the Year of Tender Coconut Water, to produce process and promote this health giving drink in the state. The production of “Neera”- or the unfermented sap of the coconut tree- is another big money spinner that is on the cards. With Kerala producing about 5 % of the total coconuts in the world, the “tree of life” is now definitely emerging as the state’s Money Tree
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