Friends of Coconut Tree

District wise list of FoCT Kera Suraksha Insurance-Appl-Form-Malayalam Training Schedule and Course Coverage Application Form for Training (English) FoCT Online Registration from Training Centres)
Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme - Application Form Training cost estimate per FoCT batch
1st Phase (2011-12) 5604 2nd Phase (2012-13) 7491 3rd Phase (2013-14) 14675 4th Phase (2014-15) 15033 5th Phase (2015-16) 9350 6th Phase (2016-17) 5349
7th Phase (2017-18) 3351 8th Phase (2018-19) 1830 9th Phase (2019-20) 1377 10th Phase (2020-21) 461 11th Phase (2021-22) 1049
300  trainees successfully completed training in 10 week [15  batch]
( 2022-2023 - started on 2022-04-01)(As on DataBase)
Sl.NoDistrict/UTTraining CenterNo.of traineesCourse Date
Week 213 (20)
1 South Andaman Andaman and Nicobar Islands CDB, State Centre, Port Blair , Port Blair, South Andaman 20 24/03/2023
Week 210 (1)
1 South Andaman Andaman and Nicobar Islands CDB, State Centre, Port Blair , Port Blair, South Andaman 1 18/03/2023
Week 208 (19)
1 South Andaman Andaman and Nicobar Islands CDB, State Centre, Port Blair , Port Blair, South Andaman 19 18/03/2023
Week 203 (40)
1 Marigaon Assam Regional Office Guwahati ,Guwahati 20 13/02/2023
2 Thoothukudi Tamil Nadu ICAR SCAD KVK, Thoothukudi ,Thoothukudi 20 13/02/2023
Week 202 (20)
1 Marigaon Assam Regional Office Guwahati ,Guwahati 20 06/02/2023
Week 200 (60)
1 Sindhudurg Maharashtra Mahila Kathya Kamgar Audyogik Sahakari Sanstha Mar ,Vengurla 20 23/01/2023
2 Thrissur Kerala KVK Thrissur ,Thrissur 20 19/01/2023
3 Thrissur Kerala KVK Thrissur ,Thrissur 20 23/01/2023
Week 199 (20)
1 Thane Maharashtra Krushi Tantra Vidyalaya,Khaniwali ,Khaniwali 20 16/01/2023
Week 197 (40)
1 Dharmapuri Tamil Nadu KVK DHARMAPURI ,DHARMAPURI 20 02/01/2023
2 Marigaon Assam Regional Office Guwahati ,Guwahati 20 02/01/2023
Week 196 (60)
1 Nayagarh Orissa COCONUT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, STATE CENTRE ,Khurda District, Odisha 40 22/12/2022
2 Pudukkottai Tamil Nadu ICAR KVK VAMBAN ,VAMBAN 20 26/12/2022
Week 195 (20)
1 Thrissur Kerala KVK Thrissur ,Thrissur 20 19/12/2022
TOTAL 300

Friends of Coconut Tree (FoCT)

Coconut Tree climbers are a rarity these days in Kerala and other coconut growing states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra and Goa, with very few taking on the traditional profession. Coconut climbers are a very vital link in the production chain. The consistent supply of raw nuts for the market as well as for the processing sector can be ensured only by strict adherence to the regular harvesting schedule. In many areas, farmers are forced to seek help from migrant labourers, who charge exorbitant amounts, despite not being familiar with the art of coconut climbing. 'The scarcity of labour disrupts harvesting cycles thus causing loss of income to the growers. As against the general norm of harvesting cycles of 45-60 days, farmers are currently able to harvest only once in three to four months. Though the Coconut Development Board is training unemployed youth in palm climbing, there is a reluctance to enter this field because of the occupational risk and the arduous labour involved in climbing tall coconut trees. In the recent past there has been an array of coconut palm climbing devices developed by individuals, Research Institutions, Universities and NGO’s , which are claimed to be safe and easy to operate. But in spite of all the efforts taken in the recent past, there is still an acute shortage of trained coconut palm climbers for harvesting and plant protection activities. With a serious view to tackle this problem, the Board would be conducting a massive training program to train about 5000 underemployed youth in developing special skills and confidence in coconut palm climbing and plant protection activities for the benefit of the coconut community as a whole.

Objective:

  • To develop a professional group of youth under the banner of “Friends of Coconut Tree” for harvesting and plant protection operations in coconut.
  • To impart training to a group of unemployed youth in developing technical skills, entrepreneurship capacity, leadership qualities and communication skills to address the needs of the coconut growers.
  • To make them self reliant and instill confidence in undertaking the responsibility of “Friends of Coconut Tree”.
  • To tackle the problem of unavailability of coconut tree climbers for coconut farming and plant protection activities.
  • Generate appropriate technologies to support sustainable growth of coconut sector and generate employment opportunities for the youth.

Mode of implementation:

It is proposed to identify, train and handhold at least 5000 underemployed youth under the “Friends of Coconut Tree” covering 10 major coconut growing districts of the state of Kerala. The identification of youth can be carried out through Kudumbashree units under the concerned local bodies, Kera karshaka samithis, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, clusters, Coconut Producers societies (CPS), youth clubs under Nehru Yuva Kendras, Vikas Vahini Volunteer clubs of NABARD(VVV), Primary Agricultural Societies, Coconut Growers Cooperatives, NGOs and Self Help Groups of NGOs.

Criteria for selection:

  • Age group of 18-40 yrs
  • Preferably underemployed healthy individuals
  • Free from any disability
  • Minimum education up to seventh standard
  • Minimum of 30% of trainees to be women

Program Coverage :

  • 1. Coconut climbing techniques
  • 2. Coconut harvesting operations and crown cleaning aspects
  • 3. Spraying and pest control operation
  • 4. Pollination and hybridization techniques
  • 5. Plant protection measures
  • 6. Identification of tender nut, mature coconut and seed nut
  • 7. Developing Leadership quality and communication skills
  • 8. Entrepreneurship development skills
  • 9. Thrift/ Savings management

Address for communication:

The Chairman
Coconut Development Board
Kera Bhavan, SRV High School Road, Kochi – 11