Group approach for enhancing profitability of small holders through technology integration - Reflections from coconut farming
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Technology integration for enhancing productivity and income from coconut farming, facilitated through stakeholder participation,
was a major objective of the NAIP sub-project on ‘Value chain in coconut’ implemented in a consortium mode with ICAR-Central
Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod as the lead institute. To achieve this objective, 10 clusters of coconut farmers were
formed under the project in selected panchayats of Kasaragod district in Kerala state. A total of 534 farmers covering 250 ha
participated in the project interventions. Appropriate production technologies were integrated in their holdings which included
intercropping, growing of leguminous crops in the coconut basin, organic recycling through vermicomposting and integrated
nutrient management. Group action was initiated among the farmers for taking up need-based integrated disease management
measures especially to control bud rot disease of coconut. Knowledge and skill upgradation of farmers on the selected technologies
were achieved through various institutional and off campus training programmes. The net income from the coconut farming in
small and marginal holdings could be increased through the interventions under the project. Technology integration in the holdings
also resulted in the increase of coconut productivity from 60 to 112 nuts per palm. Technology integration in small and marginal
coconut holdings for higher productivity and income through Community Based Organizations approach is scaled up by other
agencies like Coconut Development Board for implementing development/extension programmes.
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Keywords
Coconut, group approach, technology integration
Citation
Journal of Plantation Crops, 2016, 44(3):158-165