Coconut Climbers and Labour Shortages

Why fewer people want to climb coconut trees for harvesting, how this raised costs in Kerala, and how climbing machines and training programmes respond.

Harvesting coconuts requires climbing.

The problem

Young people avoid climbing as hard, risky work.
Climbers’ wages rose sharply in Kerala.

Effects

Some farmers leave nuts unharvested or face high costs.

Machines

Climbing machines let people climb safely with less skill.

Training

The Coconut Development Board’s “Friends of Coconut Tree” programme trained climbers, including women.

Dwarf varieties

Dwarf palms are easier to harvest.

The climbing machine

A woman trained under a Coconut Board programme uses a machine to climb palms and harvest nuts.

Thinking harvesting coconuts is simple

Climber shortages raise costs.

Key takeaways

Few young people climb palms.
Climbers' wages rose.
Climbing machines help.
Training includes women.