A Coconut Harvest - Philippines

This particular hectare is a special favourite of mine and contains over 200 trees.

When there is no harvest it is a source of tranquil beauty. As you can see, I like to get in the thick of it, and this horse (one of two) has become a special friend over many years. Horses are well looked after in the Philippines, and when this one isn't lugging nuts, it relaxes in a pasture nearby.

A stream runs through this plantation which provides a soothing background that enhances and complements the myriad of birdsong and general ambiance.

Just a stones throw from the house, in a barangay of outstanding natural beauty, it is without doubt a sanctuary.

Sitting here, under a bamboo gazebo thatched with banana leaves, one can relax and blissfully contemplate on how far removed it is from the hustle and bustle of London, or the madness of Manila.

Not every nut is picked from a tree. They bear fruit at different times from each other, and it is the skill of the harvester to determine which ones are ready. More than 1500 were gathered on this particular day.

Whilst two or three men will dislodge them from the treetops using long interconnecting bamboo poles with knives on the end, another two will de-husk them, separating the macapuno from the regular nut.

Two or three more men will collect them and pack them into baskets carried by horses, which will take them to the roadside.

On average eight people will be employed to harvest the nuts, from the pickers, the huskers, and the horsemen.

Although there are always more around than that, including children who are keen to get involved and enjoy the atmosphere.

The horses will make several trips during the time, normally two are used, from early morning to mid-afternoon. The nuts will then be piled up awaiting transportation to market. Not all will go for sale. Some nuts are held back, and kept to develop for replanting.

It takes seven years for a new tree to bear fruit, so good management is essential.

A coconut tree can live for 100 years, but some are cut down to provide wood, or some are blown down due to excessive typhoons.

Many nuts not sold are used to provide cooking ingredients, and the empty shells are slowly smoked to produce excellent charcoal for cooking.

There could be both in this recent fall.The macapuno is a more prized fruit and sells for a better price, but only one or two will exist from six garnered from each palm.

Some nuts are harvested young, called Buko, where the liquid is especially prized, and the inside flesh is much softer and used in delicacies.

Both Buko and Macapuno can attract a better price.

The price of nuts vary from month to month. The average is about 5 pesos, which triples for a macapuno, and quadruples for Buko - between 0.08pence and 0.40pence a nut.Sometimes a standard nut sells for less than 0.05pence depending on local economics.

A person who wants to make a reasonable living from coconuts will require several hectares, but nevertheless, it is a regular source of income and provides employment for many.

Banana trees grow in harmony with coconut trees, so this also is an additional income source.

Philippine bananas are not the usual fare dealt up in you're typical western supermarket. They are smaller, green, and sweeter. The Banana heart - puso ng saging - is not only astonishing to look at, it is a delicacy of the first magnitude, and when used in cooking produces a dish to rival the finest haute cuisine.

This picture shows a typical tree in this plantation, and at it's centre is the prized heart.

It is in a small barangay in the province of Laguna. 60 miles southeast of Manila.

It is my home from home. I hope you've enjoyed this snapshot of a day in the coconut harvest.

Update October 2011: This lens has received much selective attention since first published in 2009, both in comments here, and direct messages.

The harvests have not changed and they carry on in much the same way, although it's true that the Philippines is undergoing unusual climate anomaly which sometimes effects the harvest cycle. More importantly, and in recent months, there is a commercial drive by multi-nationals and others to vigorously market the benefits of coconut water. Coconut water comes from Buko, as I have highlighted.

I have produced a report about my observations and concerns about this: Coconut Water
If you have the time I would encourage you to read it.

I am not against the fair-trade sustainability of coconut water, but I am concerned about the potential exploitation and environmental damage.