Coconut Farming

About Coconut farming

Coconut trees are lovely plants that produce tasty fruit.
They grow naturally in tropical climates, but you can also plant one at home.
It’s an easy process that will produce a charming addition to any yard or home.
The coconut palm grows well in a equatorial climate.
The long spells of hot and dry weather, severe winters and extremes of temperatures are not favorable for coconut growing.
However, it thrives well upto 1000 m above the sea level
The well distributed rainfall ranging from 100 to 300 cm is favorable.

Adopt a spacing of 25' x 25' (7.5 x 7.5 m) with 175 plants/ha.
Dug pit size of 3’ x 3' x 3'. In the pits, Fill the pit to a height of two feet (60 cm) with FYM, red earth and sand mixed in equal proportions.
At the center of the pit, remove the soil mixture and plant the seedling after removing all the roots.
Press the soil well around the seedling and provide the seedling with shade by using plaited coconut leaves or palmy leaves.
Keep the pits free from weeds.
As the seedlings grow and form stem, fill up the pits gradually by cutting the sides.
Proper supply of moisture either through well distributed rainfall or irrigation and sufficient drainage are essential for coconut.

To get a good yield, palms should be fertilized regularly and with a quick frequency,
Bimonthly applications are more beneficial.
From 5 th year onwards, apply 50 kg of FYM or compost or green manure in two equal splits during June – July and December – January.
Apply manures and fertilizers in circular basins of 1.8 m from the base of the palm, incorporate and irrigate.
During 2nd, 3rd and 4th year ¼, ½ and ¾ doses of the above fertilizer schedule should be adopted
Sufficient moisture should be present at the time of manuring.
Fertilization may be done at monthly intervals with 75% of the recommended dose of the above fertilizers.

The coconut palm requires large quantities of water for its normal growth and timely production.
In normal conditions and in absence of rains every palm needs about 16-18 litre water daily.
Regular irrigation helps to increase the fruit set, improve size and copra content.
However, stagnation of water and ill drained conditions should be strictly avoided.
Coconut palm responds to summer irrigation.
Production of female flowers and setting % increases considerably due to irrigation.
Bury coconut husk or coir dust around palms to conserve moisture in the soil

Coconut trees are commonly affected by pests such as Rhinoceros beetle, Red palm weevil, Black headed caterpillar, Coconut mite, White grub, and Termites.
Rhinoceros beetles - apply neem cake in pits, setting pheromone traps (1 trap / 2 ha) and apply castor cake + sand (1:1) in leaf axils
Red palm weevil - use pheromone traps. Remove and destroy severely affected palms and plug holes with neem-based formulations
Black headed caterpillar - Spray neem oil 2% or neem-based insecticides. Maintain good nutrition to improve tolerance
Coconut Mite - Spray neem oil + garlic extract. Apply neem cake in basin. Maintain adequate irrigation
White Grub - Apply neem cake. Encourage birds. Maintain field sanitation
Termites - Destroy termite mounds nearby. Apply neem cake around base. Keep soil moist

Coconut is a monoecious plant, meaning both male and female flowers are present on the same palm
Male flowers are small and numerous, located on the upper portion of the spikelets. They open first and shed pollen for several days.
Female flowers are larger in size and fewer in number. Found at the base of the spikelets and open after male flowers
Flowering occurs throughout the year under good conditions and are mainly cross-pollinated
Pollination occurs through wind and insects (especially bees)
Proper moisture and nutrition improve pollination success

After pollination, fertilization takes place inside the female flowers.
Only a small proportion of female flowers successfully develop into nuts.
Maintain consistent soil moisture through irrigation or husk mulching.
Apply organic manure and fertilizers in circular basins around palms.
Avoid water stagnation and ensure good drainage.
Adopt drip irrigation for efficient water use and higher nut setting.
In short: Better irrigation + better nutrition = more female flowers, more nuts and higher yield.

Tender Coconut will be ready by 6–7 months after flowering
Signs: Green outer husk, soft jelly‑like kernel, maximum sweet water
Use: Popular for drinking water and fresh consumption
Mature Coconut will be ready by 11–12 months after flowering)
Signs: Husk turns yellow/brown, nut feels heavy, water inside reduces, kernel hard & thick
Use: Suitable for copra, oil extraction, and processed products
Manual harvesting: Skilled climbers pluck coconuts by hand
Modern devices (like coconut climbing machines) reduce labor and improve safety