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Transforming a coconut monocrop into a multi-storey food forest

Type: Technologies

Creation: 2024-10-30 11:31   Updated: 2024-12-01 15:03

Compilers: Praveena Sridhar

Reviewers: William Critchley, Joana Eichenberger

Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
  • Country: India
  • Region/ State/ Province: Tamil Nadu
  • Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Pollachi
  • Map: View Map

Description of the SLM Technology

Short description of the Technology

Transforming a monocrop coconut farm into a resilient food forest can sustainably enhance soil health, biodiversity and productivity while reducing labour and external input requirements. This demonstrates the potential to increase yields and provide long-term economic and ecological stability for farmers.

Detailed description of the Technology

Transforming a monocrop coconut farm into a resilient food forest can sustainably enhance soil health, biodiversity, and productivity while reducing labour and external input requirements. This demonstrates the potential to increase yields and provide long-term economic and ecological stability for farmers. Experience was gained from implementation in 2008 on a monocrop coconut farm in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. The stages were as follows:
1) Rainwater management: Trenches were dug throughout the farm to retain rainwater and prevent runoff, thus enhancing soil moisture. This was critical given the limited rainfall in the region. A drip irrigation system was installed for efficient watering.
2) Plant diversity: Various crops were introduced. Nutmeg, intercropped among coconut trees, provides 3 - 4 times the income of coconuts after 15 to 20 years. Timber trees extract micronutrients from deeper soil layers via deep tap roots: micronutrients are concentrated in the leaves which are used as mulch to enrich the soil nutrient profile. Banana and papaya provided early income, shade for plants, and added biomass. This diversity also ensures a steady income, reducing dependency on external markets.
3) Biomass and soil fertility improvement: Fast-growing crops were planted to generate additional biomass. Leaves were pruned and added to the water-retaining trenches as mulch. Nitrogen-fixing plants were cultivated extensively to improve soil fertility, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers.
4) Mulch and bio-input application: Mulch in the trenches was decomposed by the bio-inputs from Cows (Earlier 2, now 1) applied via drip lines, which increased soil organic matter through enhanced microbial decomposition. The irrigation and sprinklers were used judiciously to achieve soil moisture rather than over-watering, as trees primarily needed stable moisture conditions.
5) Minimal maintenance approach: After establishing this system, the farm required minimal maintenance. There was no need for tilling, weeding, or other intensive practices, just monitoring of, and maintaining, moisture levels. This low-maintenance approach reduces farmers’ workloads and improves their quality of life.
6) Enhanced biodiversity and pest management: To further enhance biodiversity, flowering plants to attract pollinators and predatory insects can be planted along the farm's boundaries - though this was not done at this particular site. Nonetheless, the increased biodiversity already fostered here brought in earthworms, birds, and beneficial insects for natural pest management.
After 12 years of minimal maintenance, soil organic matter content increased from 0.5% to 3.36%, and both production quantity and quality increased. The farm retained high soil moisture despite periods of low rainfall. Land users liked the use of minimal inputs, crop diversification as a financial safety net, and the visible impact on soil health and yield, as well as the increase in land value. There was initial fear about time and money invested and doubts about the feasibility of a technology that challenged the status quo of the region. Digging trenches and planting saplings were physically demanding. The initial pest pressure was also a concern before a stable ecosystem was established. The transformation of this coconut monoculture into a diverse food forest has demonstrated a sustainable model of enhanced resilience, productivity, and biodiversity. This model can be replicated across similar regions to help minimize labor and improve farmers’ livelihoods while restoring land and ecosystems.

Photos of the Technology

Image A neighboring farm, similar to Valluvan’s before implementation of the technology
A neighboring farm, similar to Valluvan’s before implementation of the technology
  • 📍 Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
  • 📷 Save Soil Media team
Image Valluvan's farm, after 15 years of implementing the technology, is now a lush, biodiverse food forest
Valluvan's farm, after 15 years of implementing the technology, is now a lush, biodiverse food forest
  • 📍 Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
  • 📷 Save Soil Media team
Image Multi-storey mixed cropping in play: Pepper vines climb on coconut trees, intercropped with bananas, curry leaf, nutmeg, timber, and various crops such as turmeric and yam (not shown)
Multi-storey mixed cropping in play: Pepper vines climb on coconut trees, intercropped with bananas, curry leaf, nutmeg, timber, and various crops such as turmeric and yam (not shown)
  • 📍 Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
  • 🗓 2024-05-04
  • 📷 Save Soil Media team
Image Trenches such as this throughout the farm allow microbes to thrive and decompose organic matter to fertilize the soil.
Trenches such as this throughout the farm allow microbes to thrive and decompose organic matter to fertilize the soil.
  • 📍 Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
  • 📷 Save Soil Media team
Image Black pepper vines are grown on trees for a stable yearly income
Black pepper vines are grown on trees for a stable yearly income
  • 📍 Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
  • 🗓 2024-05-04
  • 📷 Save Soil Media team
Image Farmer enjoys a bounty year after year with prices higher than neighbouring farms because of the quality of produce.
Farmer enjoys a bounty year after year with prices higher than neighbouring farms because of the quality of produce.
  • 📍 Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
  • 🗓 2024-05-04
  • 📷 Save Soil Media team
Image A view of the neighbour's coconut monoculture through a spot in Valluvan's transformed food forest
A view of the neighbour's coconut monoculture through a spot in Valluvan's transformed food forest
  • 📍 Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
  • 🗓 2024-05-04
  • 📷 Save Soil Media team
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