00:00Now Kerala derives its name from Kera, meaning coconut, the land of coconut trees.
00:04Scots own country, however, today fears losing the status as coconut trees and the coconut production of the state is on a gradual decline.
00:12My colleague Shibi Mool gets us this report.
00:22Kerala is witnessing an unprecedented rise in the price of coconuts and coconut oil.
00:27With coconuts now selling at over 70 rupees a kilo and oil nearing 430 rupees a litre.
00:36Experts blame climate change, pest attacks, land diversion for construction and shortage of skilled labour for the sharp decline in production.
00:47As Shriram Oil Mill in Thiruvananthapuram, it's a busy evening.
00:51But owner Hariharan, who has been in the business for 40 years, says sourcing coconuts has become increasingly difficult.
01:21Coconut remains essential in every Malayali household.
01:41Demand hasn't vanished, but people are buying less.
01:44Restaurants, once loyal to coconut oil, have switched to cheaper alternatives.
01:51A surge in global demand has also worsened the supply crunch.
01:55Neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have adopted scientific farming and better pest control, leaving Kerala lagging behind.
02:04Climate change has intensified the problem.
02:10Heavier, shorter rains and warmer nights have made crops vulnerable to pests, especially the red palm weevil, now a major threat.
02:20The labour shortage has made things worse.
02:23Earlier, skilled climbers cleaned the crown of the trees, preventing infestations.
02:29Today, migrant workers use climbing devices that often can't reach the crown, leaving trees exposed.
02:37Another key concern, experts say, is land conversion.
02:42Fertile coconut groves giving way to villas and high rises.
02:46First, we have to increase the planning, training to the labourers for plantation management.
03:00Then proper manuring and fertiliser application.
03:04Restrict the constructions.
03:08That's the main thing.
03:10You know, as Malayalese, we have often faced this question from non-Malayalese as to why do we add coconut into literally everything.
03:17Well, that's the kind of role this one crop plays in various ways in our day-to-day lives.
03:21And today, when we talk about this crisis, we are not just talking about losing a crop that plays a very important role in our day-to-day lives,
03:27but about an identity that is so closely attached to the name of this very state, Kerala.
03:33With video journalist Tinkuraj Srega, Shibhimolkeji for India today from Tiruvanda Baram.
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