PALAKKAD: Due to intense heat, the toddy production from the coconut groves of Palakkad's Chittur plummeted. Chittur produces more toddy than anywhere else in the state. The sudden dip was caused by the wilt in coconut blossoms due to the sweltering heat.

Coconuts that used to produce two and a half to three liters of toddy are not even giving one liter these days. This is after toddy production was reduced by a third due to windstorms and pest infestation.

The industrialists are in crisis following the dip in toddy production, while the daily lives of toddy tappers are severely hit in the crisis. The first tapping is normally done before six in the morning. Toddy tapping begins when the tapper starts beating the flower for three days. Once beaten, the flower is then cut to allow the sap to drain. However, these days, the workers find it impossible to climb trees due to severe heat.

For a liter of toddy, a temporary worker earns Rs 38, and a welfare member worker earns Rs 65, including benefits.

In the past, a laborer used to climb 12 coconut trees in a day and cut an average of 35-40 litres and used to get Rs 1800 daily. Even if a laborer risk climbing as many trees in the torpid climate, the outcome would be less than 20 litres. Income has come down to Rs 700-900 per day. With the plummeting toddy productions, the licensees are avoiding giving work to welfare members and are opting for laborers from Tamil Nadu, who are happy to work for lesser pay.

Toddy is transported from Chittur to districts other than Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur. It is estimated that around 1.8 lakh coconut trees in Chittur are used for toddy tapping.