06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

Lakshadweep Islands
and thereafter cultivation of such crops
diminished and vanished. The low-lying area of
Androth is now utilized for cultivation of banana,
colocascia and sweet potato (in summer). These
crops are more profitable to grow than cereals.
In the past a few farmers kept milch cows since
they could successfully cultivate fodder
(Guniea,Napier, Fodder cholam). Recently people
have started settling in the Low-lying areas. They
startel! planting more coconut trees, thereby
reducing the land available for growing fodder.
b. Coconut Management
Coconut is the most important crop in the islands.
It is a non-irrigated crop. The land-based economy
revolves around the coconut palm. There are
about 700,000 trees in all the islands. Twenty eight
million nuts were harvested in 1999, most of these
were converted into copra and exported to
Mangalore and Calicut.
Every part of the coconut tree is utilized. The
coconut kernel is processed into copra and
provides the islanders with cash income. The husk
is used for producing coir as well as for smoking
tuna. The coconut shell is used for fuel and for
making handicrafts. The fronds serve to thatch
roofs and weave hats and mats. The haft and midrib
are used for fencing around houses and making
Table 3 - Varieties of Lakshadweep coconuts
English name Mahal name Malayalam name Description
stands for drying fish and copra. The trunks of
fallen trees provide rafters and posts for house
construction. Nectar (meera) from the coconut
trees is collected to make palm jaggery and
vinegar.
Meera is no longer collected in Kavaratti, mainly
because the honeybees introduced by the
Agriculture Department attack the meera and the
climbers who collect it. The presence of frogs and
toads behind the fronds also disturbs the collection
process. However, meera collectors may be found
at Kadmat, Kiitan, Chetlat, Agatti, Andrott and
Minicoy.Vinegar is made by fermenting meera and
Jaggery by boiling meera.
There are five types of coconut palms commonly
found in all the islands. The islanders plant all
five varieties all the time. These varieties are
identified by their colour and size. Table 3
provides a description of these coconut varieties.
The Lakshadweep ordinary is the preferred
variety for copra and the dwarf varieties are
important since they contain plenty of water and
the Ramzan fasts are broken only by drinking
coconut water. The popular varieties of coconut
cultivated are Laccadive Ordinary, L.Small and
L.Micro of which the largest population of L.Micro
is found in Kalpeni and Androth. Laccadive
Ordinary has a big husk and hence is preffered ill
Lakshadweep Rairu (red) Chenga Tall tree. redish colour, oil Most preferred variety. This is
Ordinary Rathru (dark red) content 68.70% 1 null ratch a good ovule and pollen parent
Nuru (green tali) Karinga Green colour oil content Most preferred variety
68-70%,1 nutl ratch
Laccadive small Shirka Oil content 72% 2 nuts Iratch
Laccadive micro Oamburu Mouliar koya thenga Micro-green bears coconuts The leaves are used to weave hats.
in 18 months 5 nutsl ratch These are irregular bearing trees and
the yield is good every alternate year.
Yellow dwarf Teeriru Chendengh Yellow nuts, oil content 33%
elneer variety, 1 nut Iratch oil
content 28-30% 1 nul! ratch
Green dwarf Pandinetapattam Oil content 28-30% 1 nut I ratch
Source : Hoon~ v.: 1996
Kaldathali This has a sweet husk when tender. It is used as an antidote for vomiting
and reduces stomach ache. For minor
eye troubles like swelling and strain,
(Almost extinct) the kernal of the coconut is removed
as a round ball with the nectar
trapped inside. This is placed on the
affected eye to soothe.
Kahari goboli Micro female, 1" diameter
Kuhiana ru Micro male, trees barren
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