With non-availability of coconut pluckers becoming a big problem in Kerala, the Coconut Development Board (CDB) has come out with an online directory of trained climbers.

The list has the contact numbers and addresses of a group of coconut climbers.

Under the programme titled ‘Friends of Coconut Tree’, the CDB has given a district-wise list of around 1,200 pluckers on its Web site http://coconutboard.nic.in/Friends-district.htm .

CDB sources said the initiative was meant to develop a database of a professional group of youths for harvesting and coconut plant protection operations.

A total of 1,593 unemployed youth have been trained so far under the programme.

The Board was planning to impart training for around 5,000 people across the State under the initiative. A batch of 20 are given training every week, CDB sources said, adding, they were planning to impart training to women also.

During the training period, they would be given food, accommodation and a stipend of Rs 950.

An insurance coverage of Rs 1 lakh for a year for each coconut plucker would be an added attraction of the programme.

The training, conducted with the support of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, would cover the aspects such as entrepreneurship capacity, leadership qualities and communication skills also, sources said.

Various government and non-government agencies and voluntary groups such as Kudumbasree, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Coconut Growers Cooperatives and other self-help groups have been helping the CDB to identify coconut climbers in each district.

According to an estimate, Kerala has over 15 crore coconut trees and a minimum 30,000 climbers are required to tend them.

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