The shortage problem
Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is Goa's second-largest horticulture crop after cashew, with around 26,000 ha under it across the coastal plains and inland. However, the state faces a chronic shortage of skilled coconut tree climbers. Traditional climbers (locally known as padelis or padlikars) are an ageing cohort; younger rural workers prefer service-sector and construction jobs at comparable pay. The result: many coconut palms go unharvested or are harvested at a high cost, and tender-coconut and copra economics deteriorate.
The Goa Tree Climbers Training Scheme — branded as the "Tree Friend" programme — addresses this by upskilling rural youth (men and women) into modern climber-tappers, using safety-equipment based methods rather than the traditional barefoot rope- climb. The new method uses a foot-and-waist climbing device that reduces risk and lowers the skill barrier, so even people who never climbed before can be trained in two weeks.
Programme details
- Duration: two-week residential or day-scholar training at ICAR-CCARI (Old Goa), or at Coconut Development Board (CDB) training centre.
- Curriculum: device-based climbing, harvesting, pest scouting (rhinoceros beetle, red palm weevil), spike disease identification, tender-coconut grading, safety, first aid.
- Stipend: ₹10,000 paid during training as livelihood support.
- Climbing kit: subsidised kit (foot-loop device, harness, helmet, gloves — roughly ₹5,000 retail value) issued on completion.
- Bundling: trained climbers registered with the Goa Coconut Development Society; daily wage referrals from coconut growers via the society's rota system.
Eligibility
- Goa resident, age 18-45.
- Rural / unemployed / SHG member (priority).
- Physically fit (basic fitness assessment at enrolment).
- No prior climbing experience required.
How to apply — step by step
- Apply at the Zonal Agriculture Office (ZAO) or online at agri.goa.gov.in. Provide Aadhaar, Goa domicile certificate, bank account, age proof.
- Wait for batch confirmation (batches of 20-25 trainees scheduled at ICAR-CCARI Old Goa or CDB centres several times a year).
- Attend the two-week training programme; complete written and practical assessment.
- Receive certification, climbing kit, and ₹10,000 stipend (DBT to Aadhaar-seeded bank account).
- Register on the Goa Coconut Development Society climber roster for job referrals; coconut growers book climbers through the society.
Income potential
Trained climbers earn roughly ₹500-800/day depending on the number of trees climbed and travel involved. A trained climber can typically service 25-40 trees per day in clustered orchards. At ₹15-30/tree pricing (post-harvest), this gives a daily earning in the ₹500-1,000 range. The Goa Coconut Development Society rota provides a baseline of regular work for trained climbers, especially in North Goa where Bardez, Bicholim and Pernem talukas have higher coconut density.
Latest changes (2024 — 2026)
- 2024-25: Women's batches scheduled separately to encourage SHG-based climber collectives.
- March 2025: Climbing-kit specification updated; CE-marked harness added.
- August 2025: Red palm weevil module added to curriculum following 2024 outbreak in South Goa.
- 2025-26: Tie-up with Goa University Skill Centre for climber upgradation (advanced module on tender-coconut quality grading).
Common rejection reasons
- Age outside 18-45: programme is designed for working-age trainees.
- Failed fitness check: basic physical fitness is a pre-condition.
- Non-Goan applicant: Goa domicile required.
- Aadhaar — bank seeding failure: stipend DBT credit fails on NPCI side.
Grievance: Zonal Agriculture Office → Director of Agriculture → Goa Coconut Development Society.
How Tree Friend stacks with other schemes
The scheme complements the central MIDH coconut area expansion and Coconut Development Board schemes. The Goa Cashew Replanting scheme is its horticulture sibling. The Goa Krishi Card provides single-window identification for all state agriculture schemes including this one. Trained climbers also become eligible for PMFME / MSME credit for setting up tender-coconut, copra and virgin coconut oil micro-enterprises.
Related
- MIDH (central horticulture mission).
- Goa Krishi Card.
- Goa state guide.