Coconut Sector Research Articles

Novel Techniques Tool in Cutting and Peeling Coconut: SWOT Analysis

Innovation is essential for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, as it improves productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural industry. It is essential to incorporate cutting-edge techniques and tools for processing coconuts, given the agriculture sector's objective of increasing productivity and sustainability. Since Malaysia aims to upgrade its agricultural methods, these advancements are relevant in Malaysia. The present study provides a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of CoCoCut's cutting and peeling procedures and tools for coconuts. The analysis is based on a single-case study. Furthermore, it evaluates inherent advantages and disadvantages of these innovative approaches, together with potential advantages and risks in the market. This study offers a thorough analysis of the innovative tool, i.e., CoCoCut's areas of expertise, which can help in identifying numerous possibilities for expanding its business. Moreover, it offers a comprehensive comprehension of CoCoCut's vulnerabilities and discerns prospective hazards that pertinent stakeholders may encounter in future. Having this comprehension is crucial for effectively navigating the intricacies of the market and taking advantage of advancements. To conclude, this study emphasizes need for adopting creative methods in coconut processing and advancing a more competitive and sustainable coconut sector. The invention and utilization of this groundbreaking instrument have several substantial economic ramifications. This cutting-edge gadget enhances the efficiency of coconut peeling, resulting in boost in output. It is advisable to utilize this instrument to enhance distribution network by forming strategic alliances with industry and trade firms, thereby expanding its reach in the worldwide market.

Preface

The extreme weather event due to climate change is a major threat to agriculture including the coconut sector. Typical impacts of climate change including floods, longer droughts, landslides, increased pest populations and disease severity can lead to yield losses and therefore pose challenges for coconut farmers and other stakeholders. Several studies have reported that climate change could reduce crop yields by 1-2 % per decade over the past century, and the adverse impacts are predicted to increase in the future if there are no effective adaptation and mitigation strategies in place.There is a need to realize the magnitude and potential irreversibility of climate change and the threats and dynamics of extreme climate change impacts. It is also crucial to identify the causes of the vulnerability and points of resilience as well as to identify adaptation and mitigation management interventions, comprehensive standards and policy tools that may assist and accelerate resilience to climate change. The vulnerability of agriculture including the coconut sector to the impacts of climate change and the potential contribution of coconut sector in mitigating the impacts has prompted the International Coconut Community (ICC) to promote “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy for a Resilient and Sustainable Coconut Agroindustry” as the theme of the 50th COCOTECH conference and Exhibition.ICC glad to acknowledge the Honorable State Ministers and elected leaders from ICC member countries, Heads of Missions, Delegations of Senior Government Officials, Eminent Resource Persons, UN Bodies Representatives, International Partner Agencies, Private Sector Industry Stakeholders, Distinguished Participants and Friends of Coconut. International COCOTECH is officially mandated as the Technical Panel for the coconut community at which important knowledge, information, innovative technologies, appropriate recommendation and policy are gathered, shared, exchanged and applied throughout the global coconut industry to ensure the sustainability of the coconut sector.Special appreciation was given to the host facilities for this conference is provided by the Government of Malaysia through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia from 7-11 November 2022.We acknowledge and appreciate the participation of various stakeholders in the coconut value chain around the world comprising policymakers, senior government officials, researchers, extensionists, traders, product processors, machinery manufacturers, exporters, importers, farmers, and the friends of coconut. The Community is indebted to the high caliber of eminent resource persons that include experts in the fields of agriculture, industry, commerce, biotechnology, chemistry, clinical science, and much more, who willingly accepted to sacrifice time from their heavy work commitments and schedules to be here to provide invaluable inputs to this Conference. Diverse, appropriate, and useful information, knowledge, and technologies would be imparted from these resource persons with a great wealth of experience as well as their respective levels of expertise. The subjects covered during the Conference would assist in preparing farming communities to counter the challenges and maximize benefits from the opportunities that are presented.List of COCOTECH Scientific Committee Members are available in this pdf.

Coconut Value Chain Analysis: A Systematic Review

In the past, Malaysia’s coconut sector faced several difficulties and upheavals related to the economy. However, as a result of the EU’s decision to oppose the cultivation of palm oil due to worries about forest clearing and environmental damage, the business has recently demonstrated enormous potential to be further grown and improved. Thus, this systematic review aimed to synthesize the challenges associated with the level of coconut production and its supply chain. Six electronic databases were searched for publication from 2013 to 2022 (i.e., a cumulative index to give an overview of the coconut value chain and the literature on the coconut supply chain via Scopus, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, Proquest, Science Direct, and Springer Link). Titles/abstracts and then full texts were screened independently. It was discovered that the factors contributing to the low production of coconuts and the difficulties in the coconut supply chain were categorized by some authors as severe or apparent factors, while others categorized these problems as technological, political, or socioeconomic factors, and yet others categorized them as inherent or environmental factors. Therefore, policymakers should introduce some policies such as subsidies, free tax for farmers, farm settlement schemes e.t.c that would encourage more citizens to be willing to go into coconut production. Policymakers also need to encourage scientists to carry out research on how these problems especially environmental factors will be tackled and try to recruit more extensionists.

Estimating Total Factor Productivity Growth in the Sri Lankan Coconut Sector

The stagnant nature of Sri Lankan national coconut production over many decades has been an issue in fulfilling the ever-increasing demand for domestic coconut consumption and industry. Thus, this study aims to address the question of the driving forces of total coconut production growth. This study identifies the sources of Sri Lankan coconut sector growth from 1985 to 2019 by calculating the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth by administering a log-transformed Cobb–Douglas production function and decomposed the results using a data set sourced from various government publications. According to the findings of the study, the average TFP growth of the coconut sector in Sri Lanka for the period 1985-to 2019 has been -1.1%, whereas it was -0.1% and -1.9% during the two sub-periods; 1985-2000 Sub-period I, 2001-2019 Sub-period II, respectively. Therefore, it is evident that the negative growth of the TFP is mostly driven by the high negative growth in the post -2000 period. These findings will help to formulate future growth policies in coconut sector of Sri Lanka.

Status of Coconut Farmer Producer Companies (CPCs) in Western Tamil Nadu

Coconut Producer Companies (CPC) are formed with the main objective of socio economic development of farmers by providing a fair, steady and reasonable income by organizing the unorganized coconut sector through farmer collectives. The specific objective of the study was to analyse the performance and to assess the problems faced by the CPCs in Western Tamil Nadu. For this study, the data was collected using Focus Group Discussion and personal interview. In India there are 67 registered CPCs, out of which 17 CPCs (25.4 percent) are from Tamil Nadu, in that nearly 15 percent are from Western Tamil Nadu. The study results showed that in Western Tamil Nadu majority (60 per cent) of the CPCs are financially supported by NABARD. All the CPCs are at the initial stage of its formation and having less than four years of its existence. Results also indicate that Majority of the CPCs are facing the problems of inadequate access to market, inadequate access to credit and weak financials at the initial stage. The study concluded that Unified Market License without payment of Mandi fees, convergence of resources for creation of farm level infrastructure i.e. specific schemes may be introduced for different activities like transportation, grading etc. and also the benefit of equity fund and credit Guarantee fund scheme of SFAC s may be extended to all forms of CPCs to overcome the weak financial access at the initial stage.

Growth Performance of Coconut Production in Global Scenario: A Quin-decadal Analysis

The purpose of this study is to examine the coconut sector's growth performance and instability in the world context. Since Indonesia, Philippines and India are the world's biggest producer of coconuts which accounted for 75 per cent of overall production in the world and contribute around 80 percent of the total land for coconut farming. Area, production, and yield of coconut were collected from Faostat and ICC websites based on secondary data from 1990-91 to 2020-21. The study period was divided into period I (1990-91 to 2005-06) and period II (2006-07 to 2020-21). The study examines growth patterns using the compound growth rate, measures instability using the Coppock’s instability index, and investigates the role of area and yield on production using decomposition analysis. The results revealed that growth rate of area was positive for Indonesia, Philippines and Indonesia for all the period. But production trend was negative in respective countries due to yield trend shows negative growth on period II. Similar results were found from instability index and decomposition analysis. This may due to poor management practices, severe diseases and pests of the plantations. Hence, greater attention needs to be given to the states where to attract and encourage many new farmers into coconut cultivation by accessing modern technology, quality plantations, credit facilities by support of government.

An Economic Analysis on Indian Scenario of Coconut Production: Trends and Prospects

The purpose of this study is to examine the coconut sector’s growth performance and instability in the Indian context. Since India is the world’s biggest producer of coconuts (22.96 billion nuts), Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are the states in the country where coconut trees are widely farmed and produced in huge quantities. These states account for over 90 per cent of overall production in the country and contribute around 89 percent of the total land for coconut farming. Area, production, and yield of coconut were collected from CDB based on secondary data from 1985-86 to 2020-21. The study period was divided into pre-TMC (1985-86 to 2000-01) and post-TMC (2001-02 to 2020-21). The study examines growth patterns using the compound growth rate, measures instability using the Coppock’s instability index, and investigates the role of area and yield on production using decomposition analysis. The results revealed that growth of area, production and productivity for major states in India was positive and statistically significant during the period II (post-TMC period) than the period I (pre-TMC period) except area under Kerala (-1.23%). Tamil Nadu and Karnataka reported a high level of instability in coconut production and its productivity during period II. Decomposition analysis shows that the area effect and yield effect play a crucial role in the total change of coconut production among the selected states. But area effect has negative in Kerala, which depicts that area expansion in coconut cultivation is merely nominal for other crops in the state. Hence, greater attention needs to be given to the states where to attract and encourage many new farmers into coconut cultivation by accessing modern technology, quality inputs, marketing and credit facilities under TMC by support of government, CBD and stakeholder.

Coconut Sector in Kerala-Trends and Challenges

Coconut Sector in Kerala-Trends and Challenges

EVALUATION OF A FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN TOWARDS ITS CIRCULARITY

ABSTRACT: Presently, achieving the circularity of supply chains is a major challenge. The difficulty consists of the assimilation by the actors in the supply chain and its own complexity. Therefore, this research focuses on the main differences among the three main variables (integration, circular economy, and the elements of the traditional supply chains) of a supply chain in the coconut sector in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. To achieve this, two hypotheses and their possible combinations are defined. The first hypothesis focuses into the existence of the differences among variables. The second one, is based on the possibility of a positive strong correlation among the variables. Hence, relationships between the three variables in the context of circularity are identified. The supply chain under study is formed by 160 actors, limited to the national sector. For the diagnosis of each of the variables, three check lists are used, which allow to compute a general value for each variable in each actor and in the supply chain. Results indicate that: (a) the supply chain of the coconut sector in the province of Manabí has a performance evaluated to be fair in terms of integration levels, circular economy and the definition of the supply chain; (b) actors dedicated to production and manufacturing show slightly superior performance compared to those dedicated to selling to the customer; (c) the actors maintain proportional and direct performances in the three variables. As a consequence of this study, strengths and opportunity areas of the coconut sector to accomplish an effective transition towards the circularity. Key Words: supply chain management, circular economy, coconut sector case study

Returns to Factors of Production and Total Factor Productivity in Coconut Plantations in Sri Lanka

The objective of this study was to identify the sources of productivity growth of the Sri Lankan coconut sector by decomposing the measured growth in total factor productivity into technological change and returns to scale. Technical change is reflected through the shift in the cost function where returns to scale is represented by the cost/output elasticity. This was achieved by linking the productivity growth to key parameters of a specific cost function. The study used cost of production data over the period 1961-2016 and specified a stochastic generalized translog cost function. Parameters were estimated using Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) method. Estimation of the share of factor inputs in the total cost revealed that coconut cultivation is characterized by high labour share (61-67 %) and low material share (24-27 %) followed by low capital share (9-12 %). According to the results, the total factor productivity (TFP) was found to have grown at 0.083% per annum. Decomposing TFP, we found that technological change and scale of economies contributed to 78% and 22% of the TFP growth, respectively. The contribution of technical progress was greater towards the end of the considered time period while diseconomies of scale was operating throughout the period. Based on this, we recommend that the focus of the coconut sector development should be on technological interventions rather than the consolidation of coconut land.

Impact of Trade Liberalisation Policies on the Coconut Export from India

The present study analysed the impact of trade policies on coconut economy of Kerala based on the secondary data from Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Export-Import data bank of Government of India. Exponential growth function, Cuddy- Della instability index and Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) were used to compute the growth rates, instability indices and comparative advantage, respectively. Though trade liberalization adversely affected the coconut farmers during the initial phase of liberalization, it subsequently increased the opportunities of the Indian coconut sector to compete in the world market. Compared to Period I (1980-81 to 1993-94), a significant improvement in the coconut export was observed during Period II (1994-95 to 2007-08) and Period III (2008-09 to 2016-17). The high growth rates of coconut products together with low instability indices in the export revealed the prospects for Indian coconut sector in the global market during the post liberalization period. The value of RSCA revealed that India lacked any comparative advantage of coconut export in Period I. While in Period II, the export of coconut and copra possessed a comparative advantage from 2002 and 2005, respectively, and maintained the comparative advantage throughout the Period III. The result indicated that India must give much effort to increase the export share of coconut, copra and other value-added coconut products to augment the foreign earnings.

A durable pollination raincoat for hybridization during monsoon in coconut

Large-scale production of hybrid seed nuts of coconut is necessary to match the high demand for hybrid seedlings. But in major coconut producing states such as Kerala, Karnataka and Goa hybridisation is carried suspended during monsoon season and out effectively only during dry season for a period of six months from November to May. Some of the reasons attributed to the stoppage of pollination work during monsoon are the slippage of the trunk while climbing, problems in male flower collection and wetting of the pollination bags during heavy rains. Technological developments in coconut sector viz., the invention of coconut climbing devices and cryopreservation techniques have contributed to safe climbing and pollen storage for utilisation during off-seasons, respectively. However, the wetting of the pollination bag used for hybridization remains a problem. We report the development and successful initial testing of a durable raincoat for the pollination bag so that coconut pollination can be carried out throughout the year in heavy monsoon areas. This reusable raincoat is integrated with the ground pollination unit and can be fitted easily on the pollination bag, and it ensures complete dryness of the pollination bag. Only one climbing per tree is required for emasculation, bagging and raincoat fitting on a single inflorescence. The raincoat has provisions for suspending a pollen delivery tube and pollen dusting and bag removal can be done from the ground. The durable raincoat cover for the pollination bags has resulted in a fruit setting of 22.5-41.3 per cent.

Performance analysis of coconut enterprises facilitated through agribusiness incubators

Agribusiness incubators (ABI) catalyze entrepreneurship development by facilitating technology and institutionalized services. The study addresses the performance analysis of enterprises promoted through coconut sector ABIs working in Kerala. Primary and secondary data collected from 30 randomly selected ABI graduated entrepreneurs in business were used to characterize the enterprises. The results indicated that 56 per cent of enterprises joined ABIs at the nascent stage and were able to receive government funding under different subsidy schemes. Majority of enterprises (72%) shared features of micro-enterprises in terms of the number of persons employed (01-10) and annual turnover less than ` 25 lakh. Most of the micro-enterprises (66%) functioned as sole proprietary firms, whereas small enterprises were registered as limited company/partnership firms (20%). Virgin coconut oil (VCO) was the major product in 40 per cent of enterprises followed by coconut chips (20%), coconut chocolates (10%), desiccated coconut (07), neera and tender coconut water-based drinks (07%). Performances of two purposively selected enterprises producing VCO and coconut chips were undertaken using break-even analysis. Production and sales of both VCO and coconut chips were more than the calculated BEP values of 1000 litres and 500 kg respectively. This indicated that both enterprises operated at profitable levels. The findings suggest that the entrepreneurs who completed the business incubation program had greater success in their business irrespective of the business size. This can be attributed to their greater access to technologies and entrepreneurship development programmes under the ABI.

Sustainability of Farmer Producer Organisations - The case of producer organisations involved in the production and marketing of ‘neera’ in the coconut sector

Neera-the coconut inflorescence sap has been promoted as a potential value-added non-alcoholic beverage with abundant health benefits. The concerted effort of the stakeholder agencies could liberate the product from the policy regulations on its production under the excise act (known as ‘Abkari act’ in Kerala). Subsequently, the coconut producer federations (CPFs) in the State were granted licenses for ‘neera’ production and marketing. However, the majority of the CPFs discontinued the ‘neera’ enterprise, which they have initiated with greater enthusiasm. The present study is a modest attempt to trace the reasons for setbacks experienced in the ‘neera’ sector and also to provide a refined framework for revamping the sector. The details of licenses granted to the CPFs were sourced from the Department of Excise, Government of Kerala. The sample size of the study was 95 (13 CPFs who are still active and 82 CPFs who have discontinued). It was observed that the ‘neera’ value chain is in the evolving stage, and the withdrawal of the institutional support had detrimentally affected the confidence of the CPFs ventured into it. The availability of ‘neera’ technicians (tappers) and the high wage rates have evoked concerns on the profitability as well as the assurance of continuous supply of the product. The study categorically highlights the need for a restructured value chain of ‘neera’ with specific roles assigned to the stakeholders through the creation of functional linkages.

Export Performance of Coconut Sector of Sri Lanka

Aims: The study aims to identify the coconut export market of Sri Lanka based on market share and market growth and to classify coconut-importing countries using BCG matrix in order to facilitate potential strategic marketing decisions.
 Study Design: This is a quantitative study based on secondary data.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study is based on Sri Lanka’s coconut exporting sector. The secondary data were collected from 2009 to 2019 from the various annual report of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, export performance report of Export Development Board of Sri Lanka and TRADEMAP.
 Methodology: The data were first tabulated and then generated as graphs to display market share and growth. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix was used to classify coconut export market into four groups, namely stars, cash cows, question marks and dogs.
 Results: Export performance of coconut sector increased based on the export value. Similarly, the percentage share of coconut exports to the total exports increased from 3.5% to 5.5% over the last decade. United States of America (USA), Germany and the United Kingdom (UK) are significant importers of Sri Lankan coconut and coconut-based products. India, Mexico and Australia showed a growing trend in the growth of market share for coconut and coconut-based products. According to the BCG matrix, the USA is categorised under the star market, and no countries fall in the cash cow market. Sri Lankan coconut market with India, Mexico, Australia, Germany, France, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK, South Korea, Italy, Canada, Japan, China, Spain and Russia fall into question mark markets. Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and Iran are grouped into dogs market category.
 Conclusion: By identifying the position of the country at the BCG matrix, the coconut industry would carry out activities and projects to earn additional income and capture more world market share for coconut and coconut-based products. Policymakers should consider the position of the country while implementing related policies.

Fiji's participation in the global coconut value chain: opportunities and challenges

PurposeThis paper explores the institutional challenges and opportunities in Fiji's integration into the global value chain. Fiji is naturally endowed with coconut palms across its many islands. However, the coconut sector remains rudimentary with little value-addition. Coconut products of high-value are now being produced and exported throughout the world. While many coconut producing countries have benefitted from this coconut demand surge, Fiji has been unable to benefit from the international market.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to analyze the challenges and opportunities. First, an analysis is done on a macro-level at the link between institutional quality and Fiji's export of coconut products. Then, primary data is collected with semi-structured interviews with key stakeholder groups in regions of Fiji. The goal is to gain an understanding of the perceived challenges and opportunities from each actor.FindingsThe empirical results show that institutional quality matters for Fiji's coconut exports. Increased scores in the government effectiveness and voice and accountability indicators enhance coconut exports from Fiji, suggesting that domestic institutions play an important role. Interviews with key actors reveal that communications among each stakeholder group are fragmented. The main institutional actors and the producers have different perceptions of the industry's challenges, thus resulting in different ideas on how to address the issues.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by the data availability of coconut production and trade volume of more specific products. Furthermore, due to the transportation and weather constraints during our visit to Fiji, certain parts of the island were not accessible.Originality/valueThis paper uses a mixed-methods approach to assess a specific case study.

Effectiveness of Replacing Inorganic Fertilizer with Compost Made of Garden Waste for Coconut Palm

Replacement of inorganic fertilizer with organic manure is welcome by the world due to health concern and increasing cost of production. In the coconut sector, inorganic fertilizers are heavily used and it is costly. Therefore, three treatment combinations were tried to supplement or replace the inorganic fertilizer with the organic manure for the coconut palms. The study revealed that completely forgetting the inorganic fertilizer with the tested amount of organic manure is not possible. Addition of organic manure to the existing inorganic fertilizer dose recommendation is not increasing the nut’s yield in number but the nut’s quality.

Equilibrium relations in the coconut sector: an analysis of fresh nut, oil and desiccated coconut market in Sri Lanka for the period 1956-2017

The objective of this paper is to assess the equilibrium relations in the fresh nut, oil and Desiccated Coconut (DC) market in Sri Lanka with special emphasis on determining the supply and demand elasticities. To achieve this objective, the Partial Equilibrium Model (PEM) previously adopted for the Sri Lankan coconut industry was reestimated using Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) method. Annual data on prices, quantities and other supply and demand related data for the period 1956-2017 were used for the analysis. The PEM captures the linkages in both production and consumption between the three markets. The results revealed that estimations are consistent with previous studies except for the income variable in demand equations for both fresh and oil markets where only the latter is statistically significant with negative coefficient indicating that oil has become an inferior good. Both the own price elasticity of supply and demand of fresh nut and oil were statistically significant with comparatively lower magnitudes whereas it was significant and higher in the DC market. When compared with the previous studies, the findings of the present study revealed that the magnitudes of the supply and demand elasticities in all three coconut markets have changed over the past decade and implications of those changes are further observed in the changes of directions of supply and demand relationships. Therefore, the coconut market model may also be extended further by incorporating other important sub-sectors as well.

Coconut farmer producer organisation in socio-economic transformation of rural economy in Karnataka

Coconut sector consisting of small and marginal farmers with fragmented landholdings have limited collective bargaining power to realise remunerative prices. In this regard, farmer producer organisations (FPOs) are considered as one of the effective ways to enhance farmer's competitiveness and their socio-economic conditions. This paper, using a descriptive case study with analytical approach, explored socio-economic contribution of coconut FPOs in Karnataka, India to its member farmers, employees, and other stakeholders of rural areas. The statistical tests find a positive impact of social issues on curbing migration from rural to urban (1st rank), unemployment and underemployment (2nd rank), poverty alleviation (3rd rank), gender inequality (4th rank), by coconut FPOs. Similarly, the study finds a positive impact of economic concerns in realising remunerative prices (1st rank), availing inputs at economical costs (2nd rank), enhancing farm income (3rd rank), and facilitating to access credit in rural economies (4th rank). Therefore, the study recommends farmer producer organisation as an ideal mechanism to bring socio-economic transformation in the rural economy.

Coconut farmer producer organisation in socio-economic transformation of rural economy in Karnataka

Coconut sector consisting of small and marginal farmers with fragmented landholdings have limited collective bargaining power to realise remunerative prices. In this regard, farmer producer organisations (FPOs) are considered as one of the effective ways to enhance farmer's competitiveness and their socio-economic conditions. This paper, using a descriptive case study with analytical approach, explored socio-economic contribution of coconut FPOs in Karnataka, India to its member farmers, employees, and other stakeholders of rural areas. The statistical tests find a positive impact of social issues on curbing migration from rural to urban (1st rank), unemployment and underemployment (2nd rank), poverty alleviation (3rd rank), gender inequality (4th rank), by coconut FPOs. Similarly, the study finds a positive impact of economic concerns in realising remunerative prices (1st rank), availing inputs at economical costs (2nd rank), enhancing farm income (3rd rank), and facilitating to access credit in rural economies (4th rank). Therefore, the study recommends farmer producer organisation as an ideal mechanism to bring socio-economic transformation in the rural economy.