Studies on practicing organic coconut cultivation under drought conditions as a mitigation strategy

Abstract

India ranks third on world coconut production with 16.9 billion nuts from 1.89 m ha and it stands 1st in productivity having 7,779 nuts per hectare. The national average productivity of coconut in India is very low (around 40 nuts / palm / year). In order to have a sustainable coconut production against the threatening climate change issues, practicing organic farming is indispensible. The survey based research study was carried out in Tirupur district during 2013. The average water requirement of coconut is 60 lit/day. While on organic cultivation with proper management practices, tree requires 300 lit/10days. It will reduce to even low as if drip irrigation followed in the farm. Generally drip irrigation will save 30-70% of water usage for any crop. Hence practicing organic coconut cultivation is the only way to combat the drought and to achieve sustained production that will improve the socio-economical condition of the farmers.