JENIFER FERNANDES
joseph@herald-goa.com
ALDONA: Digamber Nagvekar, a resident of Corjuem, has spent most of his life as a coconut plucker. At 50 years old, he continues to climb towering trees, plucking not only coconuts but also mangoes, pruning branches, and ploughing fields to cultivate paddy during the monsoons. For him, this profession is not just a job but a lifelong passion.
“This is not a newly acquired skill. I have been doing this since childhood. When people ask me how long I have been in this profession, I often lose track of time, but when I calculate, I realise that 35 years have gone by so quickly,” he says.
Nagvekar comes from a family deeply rooted in traditional occupations. Inspired by his elders, he naturally followed in their footsteps, believing that this would be his means of livelihood and survival. In his early years, he climbed trees using a simple rope tied around his feet, allowing him to ascend with ease. “Back then, we had no fear of climbing trees. Once you get used to something, you get attached to it. Despite difficulties and problems, we moved forward and achieved our goals,” he recalls.
Today, modern machines have made climbing easier and safer. The government also offers training programmes for those interested in taking up this profession. However, Nagvekar believes that true expertise in coconut plucking comes not only from climbing but from understanding the trees.
“One has to be confident while climbing, maintain a strong body posture, and ensure proper support, whether using a rope or a machine. Newcomers often lack confidence, but with regular practice, they become more comfortable,” he explains.
Nagvekar, along with others in his field, educates people about the importance of coconut trees and proper tree care. “Coconut trees provide numerous products, including brooms, ropes, and leaves used for huts. Unfortunately, the newer generation of coconut pluckers trained by government schemes only learns how to climb using machines. They lack the knowledge to distinguish between mature and immature coconuts or to recognise tree diseases.”
Despite the availability of modern tools, the profession remains dangerous. “Many coconut pluckers have lost their lives while doing this job. Every living being needs care, and the same applies to a coconut tree. If its roots catch a disease and become weak, the tree can collapse. The depth of a coconut tree’s roots is about a metre, but people often plant them improperly, leading to weak bases and eventual falls,” he explains.
Although he has worked in this field for 35 years, Nagvekar’s formal education ended at Class 7. “We were helpless back then. We needed money to support the family, so we had no choice but to take up this work,” he recalls. His father was also a farmer who owned a few cows.
However, he strongly encourages young children to prioritise education. “We had no option but to leave school, but today’s children must study hard. Education is essential. I take great pride in my work and feel happy doing it because it has been a part of me since childhood. But this generation doesn’t want to do such work because it lacks glamour and excitement—it only involves hard work,” he says.
Nagvekar believes that traditional occupations like coconut plucking require not just labour but also a deep sense of responsibility and dedication. “Due to the lack of Goans taking up traditional jobs, migrants have taken over, offering services at cheaper rates. But they often lack the necessary knowledge and end up damaging crops and production. We have become outsiders in our own state, and soon, we may have to rely on them completely.”
Nagvekar is also deeply concerned about the indiscriminate cutting of trees. “People fail to understand the significance of a tree. If a tree is affected by disease or has a weak base, their first instinct is to cut it down. It really hurts us when trees are cut so mercilessly. These trees are our lifeline. They bring rain, and rain gives us crops and our livelihood,” he stresses. He hopes that the people of Goa will wake up to the importance of preserving their traditions and environment. “Wake up, Goans. Wake up.”
harvesting fruit with traditional know-how
From the ground, an experienced coconut plucker like Nagvekar can assess whether the coconuts are ready to be harvested. “The process of ripening varies, and not everyone can identify the changes in a coconut. Every three months, we can remove three bunches, but if we try for a fourth, it remains tender. While I often advise tree owners about this, the final decision always rests with them.”
The process of plucking is not just about collecting coconuts. It involves cleaning the tree by removing old, dried, and over-matured leaves. “This cleansing process is essential. We also treat trees affected by disease, ensuring better air circulation,” he notes. However, he has observed
a worrying trend where people
have stopped taking care of their coconut trees.
“Many think that as long as they get coconuts or mangoes, there’s no need to care for the trees. Eventually, they cut them down. Earlier, people nourished their trees with salt and organic waste. Now, they don’t bother, thinking it’s a waste of time and effort,” he laments.