Perishing coconut crop worries farmers in Madurai district

MADURAI: Drought conditions in the last three years has taken a heavy toll on the coconut crop in the district and according to a survey taken by the agricultural department a total of 2,84,771 coconut trees perished in the district during this period. As per statistics available with the department, Madurai district had 8,43,652 coconut trees spread across all 10 blocks especially in Melur, Vadipatti, Alanganallur areas which are rich in ground water.But erratic rainfall in the last three years depleted the water sources and farmers could not save the trees even with well irrigation. Hence, almost one fourth of the crop perished.
M Gopalakrishnan of Sambiranipatti in Melur said he lost nearly 50 coconut trees in his farm each of which is around 20 years old. "Coconut is a long-time crop and it will take at least five years for a tree to start yielding nuts. It starts yielding well only after the seventh year. Even if we start raising saplings now, it will take at least 10 years to match the loss in production," he pointed out. However, water condition has to improve in the meantime. "Each coconut tree may consume 80 to 100 litres per day for handsome yield. It will be difficult to raise coconut crop if there are no adequate monsoons in the coming years," he added.
G Selvakumar, a wholesale coconut merchant in Madurai said that drought in the last three years and power crisis crippled farmers to tap ground water sources and thus destroying a generation of coconut crop in the district. "Within this three-year period, coconut prices have doubled and tripled and there is no supply. Situation is the same across the state except Kanyakumari district but most of the produce from that district is exported to Gulf countries," he said. A bigger size coconut which was priced Rs 12 three years ago is sold at Rs 40 and there is no hope that prices will fall, he said. Agricultural officials said the compiled report will be sent to state government seeking compensation. The farmers may be either provided with monetary relief or helped in re-planting coconut saplings in their fields.
Jayasingh Gnanadurai, joint director of agriculture said the state government will take the final call in this regard. Initially, they have enumerated 1,37,756 trees perished due to drought till last year. Based on request from farmers, they undertook another survey which added up to 1,47,015 trees. Altogether 2,84,771 trees perished in Madurai district, he said.
Similarly, the department has also taken a list of mango trees. "We should have sent the report by now but farmers requested some more time stating that few more areas were not covered. We will be sending the report to the state government in a couple of days," Gnanadurai added.
8,43,652 trees spread across 10 blocks in district
2,84,771 trees perished during the last three years
1,37,756 trees perished due to drought till last year
Each tree consumes about 100 litres per day for handsome yield
A coconut which was priced Rs 12 three years ago is sold at Rs 40