By Jisha Surya
T'Puram: It is not the low price or pest attack, but non-availability of coconut pluckers is the major crisis affecting the coconut farmers. With the intervention of Coconut Development Board (CDB), solution is just a mouse click away. Log on to the website of (CDB), you will surprised to see the long list of coconut climbers or 'Friends of Coconut tree' according to CDB.
A district-wise list, which includes name, address and even phone numbers, of over 1200 climbers are given in the website www.coconutboard.nic.in/Friends-district.htm. As part of the Friends of Coconut tree initiative, the CDB aims to develop a professional group of youth for harvesting and plant protection operations in coconut. “We plan to give training for as many as 5000 people from various parts of the state. Training is provided on climbing techniques, crown cleaning, pest control measures, etc. The programme was launched in Chingam 1st. The training is conducted with the support of Krishi Vigyan Kendras,” said K Muralidharan, director of Coconut Development Board. The CDB also plans to introduce insurance scheme for the coconut climbers. The CDB aims to include minimum 30 percent women for the training.
Thirty five-year-old Treesa M of Panavoor in Thiruvananthapuram district, is confident of climbing the coconut tree using the climbing machine provided by the CDB. “I climbed 12 trees one day. I have so far climbed 50 trees. They would pay me Rs 20 each. There was shortage of climbers here. Now, it is an easy task,” said Treesa.
As many as 1512 unemployed youths were given training as part of the programme. A batch of 20 were given training every week. Training is also provided on developing technical skills, entrepreneurship capacity, leadership qualities and communication skills.
Various agencies like Kudumbashree units, Kera karshaka samithis, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, clusters, Coconut Producers societies (CPS), youth clubs under Nehru Yuva Kendras, Vikas Vahini Volunteer clubs of NABARD(VVV), Primary Agricultural Societies, Coconut Growers Cooperatives, NGOs and Self Help Groups of NGOs were assigned with the task of identifying coconut climbers.
Currently the website has list of 97 coconut climbers for Kasargod, 166 for Kannur, 162 for Kozhikode, 52 for Malappuram, 205 for Palakkad, 120 for Thirssur, 97 for Ernakulam, 61 for Alappuzha, 61 for Kottayam, 20 for Pathanamthitta, 136 for Kollam and 104 for Thiruvananthapuram.
Ends
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