An empirical study on coconut – a case study on Uttar Kannada district in Karnatka

An economic analysis of coconut production in Uttar kannada dist, Karnataka. Study conducted in Uttar kannada district location, it was prompted by India's net importation of vegetable, to increased vegetable oil production, yet its production has been declining over the years. The objective of the study was to analyze the existing coconut-asked farming systems in the study area, identify farm level problems facing coconut farmers, suggest ways of easing the problems to improve production and determine the relative profitability of coconut-based intercrops. Farming systems analyses and gross margin analyses methodologies were used. The study revealed that, coconut producers used none or minimal levels of recommended coconut inputs resulting in low yields of 6–7 tons/ha compared to a potential of 17.5 tons/accredit availability was a constraining factor for the purchase of recommended coconut inputs as reported by 90% of the farmers. Lack of an organized marketing system and timely market information further compounded the problem as reported by 70% of those interviewed. Insect damage caused by the rhinoceros beetle was observed by 70% of the respondents and-resulted in yield losses, consequently low coconut production. Gross margin analyses revealed low returns for mono cropped coconut holdings compared to coconut-based crop mixtures. The study recommended the allocation of funds for extension purposes for farmers’ education and field demonstrations in coconut crop husbandry management, to improve the yields. The government should provide market information for coconut products to allow forces of supply and demand set the price. This study gives as a guideline the price of copra to be 10–25% of the break-even price, determined in the stud coconut production is recommended by improving farmers’ accessibility to credit for coconut farm investment through provision of medium term loans by local financial institutions, improvement of input distribution, development of rural access roads and general infrastructure. Research undertaken on rhinoceros beetle control, appropriate coconut intercrop mixtures and associated agronomic technologies with adequate and consistent information dissemination to farmers. Other studies should come up with the effect of the importation of coconut products, copra and oil, on the coconut industry and determine modalities of credit provision for coconut investment.