No longer nuts about coconuts? Rupees 3000 per 100 ml soon...

About a year or two ago there was a sudden jump in price of Tender Coconut (from usual Rs. 10 to Rs. 25). I wondered why and how this happened. Now, I think there could be a long drawn man-made problem here within India. Here are some seemingly disparate points that may be leading to this and lead to worse things in future...

1. Systematic brainwashing of Indians that the oils we use are causing health problems - including coconut oil, sesame oil and groundnut oil.
2. Pushing oils based on what the foreigners can grow in their areas - like Sunflower & Olives.
3. Pushing "seemingly" better methods for maintaining hair. They are pushing chemicals, sprays, gels, etc.
4. Naturally a reduction in demand for Coconut oil.
5. Next step reduction in demand for Coconut.

Intentionally killed - right adjacent to really good coconut farms near the National Highways, Tamilnadu

6. Real-estate demand going higher and higher in value as it is pushed up due to a variety of factors - black-money, Foreign investment in real-estate, more NRIs investing in Indian real-estate bubble.
7. Agriculturists turning to intentionally destroying coconut farms to convert them for commercial purposes - schools, colleges, big community housing, or just cut into plots & sell by projecting more growth in real estate prices.
8. Even though laws are supposed to be in place for prevention of such mis-use of agricultural lands, there are enough people hand-in-glove (plus using loop-holes of demonstrating dying trees) to make these commercial switches.
9. Demand for tender coconut has not reduced much, even though demand for the oil has reduced a lot. Hence price for tender coconut has shot up a lot.

Closer view of the farm

What is expected in future? As I saw on my visit to Kodaikanal by road - along many places in the drive up and down, including river delta areas - more coconut farms are being let to rot, or intentionally killed for other uses.

It is going to make coconut oil (I still feel it is good when used in appropriate ways and in moderation - as was done 30-40 years ago or earlier) as well as tender coconut costly in coming years.

We should not be surprised if someone announces in 2025 "Coconut oil from Africa is best balm for wounds, hair, etc. Please buy at Rs. 3000 per 100ml" OR if another company patents coconut and its properties in America / Europe while anyway importing it from Central America / Africa!