Abstract: Colonialism had no uniform method of intervention and form of exploitation. It is dynamic and the forms of intervention changed according to the needs and requirements of colonial state and according to the nature of the region conquered. Kasaragod, which was once become the southernmost taluk of colonial South Canara witnessed some effort of the colonial state to transform the agricultural landscape by establishing coconut research stations for the scientific study of coconut cultivation. Kasaragod had a rich tradition of paddy cultivation which was cultivated in both low lying as well as in high land hills and hill slops in the name of ‘kumeri’ or shifting cultivation.. In the beginning of the 20th century the colonial state opened research stations on major crops like coconut which satisfy colonial needs.
Coconut is popularly known as “kalpa vriksha” which means the “Tree of Heaven”. There is not even a single part of the coconut palm which is to be considered as useless. There was a huge increase in the demand for coconut products in world market in the beginning of the 20th century. It was considered as a fruit tree like jack, mango etc. And hence, the extent of coconut was very less in this region. In order to increase the production of coconut, four research stations were opened in kasaragod based up on different soil properties. Irrigation is totally dependent on monsoon and the area had no irrigation projects. One of the initial aims of research was the possibility of raising coconut under dry system of cultivation. Coconut can be considered as a trend setter to the new agrarian order of Kerala economy which does not need regular care and labour and also indicate the shift from paddy based agrarian order to more market oriented commercial agriculture. The village and village life which once revolved around paddy and its manifold production activities had gradually wiped out from the region which also wiped out the age old tradition of mutual dependence and mutual co existence.
Keywords: Colonialism, Agriculture, Science, Coconut, Kasaragod.
Title: Colonialism and Institutional Practices in Agriculture: Some Observations on Agricultural Research in Kasaragod
Author: Prakash Kumar K
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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