Empowering coconut farmers through innovation and economic assessment of TNAU Coconut Tonic

M SETHU  RAMAN; M  ANJUGAM; S VARADHA  RAJ; A JANAKI  RANI; M  MALARKODI; R  KALPANA

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i7.172644

Authors

M SETHU RAMAN Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 003, India
M ANJUGAM Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 003, India
S VARADHA RAJ Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu
A JANAKI RANI Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 003, India
M MALARKODI Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 003, India
R KALPANA Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 003, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i7.172644

Keywords:

Coconut growers, Cost and benefit, Farm profitability, TNAU Coconut Tonic

Abstract

The present study aims to assess the economic association between TNAU Coconut Tonic adoption and farm performance among coconut growers in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, in the 2023–24. A survey of 120 farmers (60 users and 60 non-users) was conducted by employing cost-benefit, partial budgeting, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and regression analysis. Findings indicated that tonic users produced higher yields (24,254 nuts/ha) and net income (₹2.10 lakh/ha) than non-users (19,092 nuts/ha; ₹1.30 lakh/ha). Though variable costs were marginally higher, users registered higher profitability with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.25, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 15.4%, and a reduced payback period of 17.7 years. The PSM results revealed a positive and significant Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) of 5,162.56 nuts/ha, indicating that tonic adopters obtained approximately 27% higher yield than comparable non-adopters. Regression analysis indicated a positive association between tonic application and coconut yield, in addition to phosphorus and potassium fertilisers, while that of plantation age was negative. Farmers reported higher yield, larger nut size and reduced button shedding following tonic adoption. The major constraints identified were poor knowledge of proper application and low uptake of tonic. The study concludes that adoption of TNAU Coconut Tonic was associated with improved productivity and economic performance among coconut growers in the study area.

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