By Azeem Ahmed Khan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s coastal regions in Sindh and Balochistan have significant potential for coconut farming due to their favourable warm temperatures and soil conditions, said a coconut expert.
Coconut Farming Potential and Market Demand
Coconut farming is a profitable venture as the demand for fresh coconuts, coconut water, and by-products like copra and coconut oil is rising in the country, said the expert, who works at Garden Solutions, a landscaping services provider, in Gharo, Sindh. However, local production currently falls short, leading to increased imports to meet the demand, he added.
Government Support and Agricultural Practices
He said he has assisted farmers in establishing many coconut farms in Sindh’s coastal areas, while in Balochistan, the crop is now also being cultivated along the Gwadar coastal belt.
He believes that the government’s initiatives to provide financial support to farmers and improved agricultural practices could boost coconut farming in Pakistan. “With proper management and investment, coconut farming can become a valuable economic activity in Sindh and Balochistan,” he added.
Challenges and Solutions for Coconut Farmers
He also stressed the importance of introducing machinery to dehusk coconuts, which removes the outer layer to reveal the hard shell inside. The expert pointed out that coconut farmers face challenges such as limited access to quality seedlings and pest management, but his company is now offering solutions to address these issues.
Coconut Varieties and Suitable Regions in Pakistan
When asked about the varieties grown in Pakistan, he explained that the most common variety is the tall coconut tree, which is well-suited to local conditions.
These trees thrive in sandy loam soils with good drainage, he said, adding that coconut farming is possible in Karachi, Gharo, Thatta, Mirpur Sakro in Sindh, as well as Hub’s coastal belt in Balochistan.
Plantation and Growth of Coconut Trees
He mentioned that once the rooting process is complete, it takes four to five months for the plants to stabilise, grow new leaves, and eventually bear fruit in four to five years.
He said that he had helped establish many coconut farms, including one large farm with 20,000 trees. “Since coconut cultivation occurs twice a year, this farm will produce a large number of coconuts annually and help meet the country’s needs,” he said.
The trees are planted 10 feet apart, following the Malaysian rule, so he has successfully experimented with intercropping by planting lemon trees alternately in one of the farms.
Typically, one-year-old coconut saplings, about five feet tall, are planted, requiring significant watering and attention to salt levels, he pointed out. Holes about one foot deep are dug, and water is kept filled to meet its requirement, he added.
Seed Sources and Variety Comparisons
He said Pakistan used Sri Lankan coconut seeds for cultivation in the past, but now Malaysian coconut plants are used. He explained that previously, coconut seeds were imported from Malaysia, but the long transit time caused the seeds to spoil by the time they reached Karachi, leading to losses for importers. As a result, the import of seeds was stopped, he added.
He said Malaysian trees are of the dwarf variety, while the Sri Lankan variety is tall and has been planted for the last five years in Sindh, proving to be a better option than the local variety.
Impact of Climate Change on Coconut Harvests
Coconut trees thrive in hot and humid climates, but climate change has impacted their harvests, he said. This year, an unusually long cold period, especially the dew, harmed some trees, he added.
The Global Spread of Coconuts
Coconuts, known as the world’s largest seed, are believed to have spread across the globe through the sea, landing on new shores and sprouting to spread further.
