Farmers in Bastar Encouraged to Grow Coconuts for Better Income

Farmers in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, are being advised to plant coconuts to improve their financial status. Coconut farming is seen as economical and viable, with trees producing for 70-80 years. Scientists recommend multi-tier cropping to utilize space efficiently. The climate in Bastar is ideal for coconut farming, and farmers are receiving training and support to adopt this practice. The initiative aims to provide good revenue and health benefits to the farmers.

Benefits of Coconut Farming

Coconut production is economical and viable. The returns achieved when planting is productive. It would be feasible to grow shrubs and herbs in between the spaces and earn returns as tall variety plants start generating returns after seven to eight years of plantation. Once production commences it goes on for 70 to 80 years.

Multi-Tier Cropping

Scientist Dr. Beena Singh said farmers have been suggested to not to take to Monoclap but rather implement Multi-tier cropping for coconut plantation as coconut is a kind of tree which bears fruits till seventy-eighty years. In a coconut plantation the obstacle is that seven to eight metres distance need to be kept between two trees and the space in-between always remains empty which should not be allowed. The scientists have thus suggested Multi-Tier plantation. Multi tier implies that planting coconut trees should be done according to the plant’s height and then a plant having less height can be planted. Beneath it Vegetable or flowers can be put. Basically, the idea is that cinnamon along with Papaya and tubers can be placed in between the spaces so that the empty part is filled.

Climate and Training

The climate in Bastar is suitable for coconut farming and can sustain trees up to 600 to 700 metres in height. Scientists say that the temperature hovers around 27 degrees Celsius and five degrees Celsius which is a boon for coconut production. The humidity here turns out to be good for cropping environment resulting in good financial prospects for farmers. Earlier, adoption was rejected as farmers were unwilling to wait for six to seven years. But gradually, realising the benefits of coconut tree and its paucity during Covid agriculturists are willing to adopt it. Eyeing future prospects, farmers are adopting the practice and they are in constant contact with the administration. Slowly, they are expanding in their area and owing to less space they are planting in small queues. Farmers are being made aware about its health benefits and not viewing from the farming practice from the marketing purpose angle only. The agriculturists are being provided proper guidance and training about every aspect of coconut farming from how to pluck it to how big the tree should be. They are also taught the procedure of cropping. Climbers are also provided so that farmers can conveniently have the Coconuts plucked and market them.