Experts from the Assam Horticulture Department and the Directorate of Agriculture in Khanapara attribute the decline in coconut production to multiple factors, including poor farm management, lack of quality seedlings, pollution, and rapid urbanisation
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The declining yield of coconuts in Guwahati has left many residents worried. Several households that once enjoyed a steady supply of homegrown coconuts now struggle with trees that either do not bear fruit or produce fewer nuts than before.
Talking to GPlus, a resident from Sawkuchi, who has been growing coconut trees for over two decades said, "It has been years since coconuts have grown on our trees. We have tried everything—using fertilisers, adding organic manure, and even increasing watering but nothing seems to work. The tree looks healthy, but the fruits never grow properly. Earlier, we used to get dozens of coconuts, enough for our entire family, but now, even if a few grow, they are too small and dry inside."
She added that many of her neighbours are facing a similar problem, and they are unsure whether the issue is due to aging trees, pollution, or changes in the climate.
"We hear that pollution is affecting trees, but we don’t know how to fix it. Should we plant a new tree? Or is there something we can do to revive the old ones? We need guidance."
A longtime resident of Zoo road, who has had coconut trees in his backyard for over 30 years, reminisced about the past when his trees would yield a bountiful harvest:
"We used to get at least 20 to 30 coconuts from our trees just a few years ago. They were big, fresh, and full of water. Now, we are lucky if we get five or six, and even those are not as good as before. The trees are aging, and I feel like they are not getting the same nutrients from the soil anymore."
He pointed out that rapid urbanisation could be one of the reasons for the decline in production.
"Earlier, there were more open spaces and gardens around our neighborhood. Now, with so many new buildings and roads, I think the trees are suffering. The air feels different, and the soil seems drier. It’s not just my coconut trees, many of my plants are not growing as well as before."
In Noonmati, a resident who relied on her coconut trees for household use said that her tree had stopped bearing fruit altogether.
He said, "Our coconut tree is more than 30 years old. It used to give us so many coconuts every year, but for the last two years, it has completely stopped. Not a single coconut has grown. We tried watering it regularly, adding compost, and even using chemical fertilisers, but there has been no improvement."
Experts from the Assam Horticulture Department and the Directorate of Agriculture in Khanapara have attributed the decline in coconut production to multiple factors, including poor farm management, lack of quality seedlings, pollution, and rapid urbanisation.
"Low productivity of coconut is the major challenge in Assam. Poor management, such as lack of watering and proper manure, has badly affected the productivity of coconut. Most importantly, our farmers need to switch to good-quality coconut seedlings to enhance coconut productivity," an official from the Directorate of Agriculture told GPlus.
Another official from the Assam Horticulture Department explained that coconut trees need to be replaced periodically to maintain productivity.
"The varieties of coconut should be replaced every 30 to 40 years. The coconut varieties in Guwahati are traditional and have not been replaced with new ones, which is one of the reasons for their decline," the official said.
He also highlighted the environmental factors that are playing a major role.
"Another major reason for the decline in coconut production is rapid urbaniation. The increasing number of concrete structures and reduction of green spaces have led to less suitable conditions for coconut trees to thrive."
Pollution, too, has worsened the situation, he added.
"The soil is not as fertile as before. Pollution has led to contamination, and the trees are not getting enough nutrients to sustain healthy growth."
Experts are suggesting that one way to revive coconut production in Guwahati is by introducing hybrid coconut varieties. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Kahikuchi has developed hybrid coconut seedlings that could help boost productivity if adopted widely.
"There are hybrid coconut varieties available at ICAR in Kahikuchi. If people are willing to take the new variants, they can visit ICAR Kahikuchi and get good-quality seedlings," the official added.
Hybrid coconuts are known for their higher yield, better resistance to diseases, and faster growth compared to traditional varieties. However, there is limited awareness among farmers and urban growers about their benefits.
Despite the decline in production, the demand for coconuts remains high in Guwahati. However, most coconuts consumed in the city come from other states.
"There is no exportation of raw coconut products because whatever is produced here is consumed locally. However, there are some varieties of coconuts that are imported from Kerala," the official explained.
While Assam does have coconut-producing districts, they are concentrated in Morigaon and Nagaon. Guwahati, despite being the largest urban center in the state, does not significantly contribute to Assam’s overall coconut production.
The Coconut Development Board has been working on addressing the low productivity of coconuts in Assam. According to their data, coconut cultivation in Assam spans an area of 20,340 hectares, with an average yield of 52 nuts per bearing plant. However, this figure is below the national average of 59 nuts per palm.
The board attributes this gap to poor management and outdated agricultural practices.
"If proper plantation techniques and hybrid seedlings are adopted, Assam can improve its coconut production," an expert from the Coconut Development Board told GPlus.
While Guwahati may not be a traditional hub for coconut farming, ensuring that existing trees continue to bear fruit can help meet the local demand and preserve this valuable plant in the city’s ecosystem.
As Guwahati continues to urbanise rapidly, a balanced approach that includes better agricultural practices and environmental conservation will be crucial in keeping its coconut trees alive.
