Pollachi tender coconut growers in doldrums as virus hits seasonal sales

For the coconut capital of Tamil Nadu, already facing drastic production loss due to white fly infestation, the lock down curbs has only added to the woes of farmers.

“The farm price of two popular hybrid varieties of tender coconuts, ‘DJ’ and ‘chowghat orange’ (sevvelani) was around Rs 34 during summer last year. This time around, the prices are less than Rs 22 despite tender coconut production being hit by over 40 per cent due to pest attack,” said P Appukutty, president of Tamil Nadu Tender Coconut Growers Association.

For instance, the yield of ‘chowghat orange’ in ten acres of his farm had dropped drastically from 15,000 nuts once in 35 to 40 days until last year to a meager 1000 tender coconuts due to white fly menace.

“On an average, the yield in each of the hybrid trees until a year ago would be upto 250 tender coconuts per year as against just around 50 now. Such poor production has affected the supply from Pollachi farms from about 100 lorry loads (around 6000 tender coconuts per load) daily to just about 15 loads at this time. Despite this huge short supply, the prices of tender coconuts remain the lowest ever due to poor demand,” he added.

The peak season starts as temperature soars from March, when unfortunately, COVID-19 had struck affecting tender coconut sales. “Poor demand besides, shortage in farm labourers and transport restrictions has also taken a toll on supply of tender coconuts to other neighbouring states and even across Tamil Nadu,” said R Venkatraman, another coconut farmer.

The shortfall in tender coconuts was felt since cyclone Gaja ravaged the delta districts.