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Fortune tied to coconuts

Hasnoor Hussain6 years ago11th Feb 2019Pictures
Bagan datok coconut tmihasnoor 004
A worker at a coconut wholesaler checking a pile of coconuts which start to sprout fronds if left unsold for months in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The demand for the fruit has been dropping in the last eight months. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
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COCONUTS are a lifeline for many in Kg Selekoh, Bagan Datuk. However, for the past eight months, it has been a struggle after the price dropped to below RM1 for each fruit. The planters claim that imported coconuts from Indonesia are killing their small business.

Ismail, 59, has been working at a coconut plantation since childhood. He inherited the coconut plantation from his father. Plucking and removing coconut husks is the only skill he has. Other families, too, depend on the fruit.

Bagan Datuk is in southwest Perak, an area where coconut trees grow in abundance. Many economic activities in the area are dependent on the fruit – plucking to producing end products. – February 11, 2019.

A worker at a coconut wholesaler checking a pile of coconuts which start to sprout fronds if left unsold for months in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The demand for the fruit has been dropping in the last eight months. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A worker at a coconut wholesaler checking a pile of coconuts which start to sprout fronds if left unsold for months in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The demand for the fruit has been dropping in the last eight months. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Ismail with coconuts piled in his garage in Bagan Datuk. At the garage, the husks are removed from the skull before they are cracked and smoked. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Ismail with coconuts piled in his garage in Bagan Datuk. At the garage, the husks are removed from the skull before they are cracked and smoked. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Coconuts being smoked in a vat near Ismail’s garage. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Coconuts being smoked in a vat near Ismail’s garage. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Workers removing coconut husks at a garage of a wholesaler in Bagan Datukk, Perak. The fruits are harvested in villages around the district. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Workers removing coconut husks at a garage of a wholesaler in Bagan Datukk, Perak. The fruits are harvested in villages around the district. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A worker using a bamboo to pluck a coconut at a plantation in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The fruits are plucked every 50 days. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A worker using a bamboo to pluck a coconut at a plantation in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The fruits are plucked every 50 days. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A scarecrow next to newly planted coconut trees to prevent wildlife, such as monkeys, from destroying them in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The palms take at least three years before fruiting and villagers also plant bananas at the same time to earn a side income. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A scarecrow next to newly planted coconut trees to prevent wildlife, such as monkeys, from destroying them in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The palms take at least three years before fruiting and villagers also plant bananas at the same time to earn a side income. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
An abandoned coconut plantation as the owner can no longer afford to maintain the farm in Bagan Datuk, Perak. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
An abandoned coconut plantation as the owner can no longer afford to maintain the farm in Bagan Datuk, Perak. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Workers loading coconuts onto a lorry before been sold to coconut milk vendors in Ipoh, Perak. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Workers loading coconuts onto a lorry before been sold to coconut milk vendors in Ipoh, Perak. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A worker removing the husk as other workers take a break from plucking coconuts at a plantation in Bagan Datuk, Perak. Most of the workers are from the older generation. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A worker removing the husk as other workers take a break from plucking coconuts at a plantation in Bagan Datuk, Perak. Most of the workers are from the older generation. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
As the demand for unprocessed coconuts drop, Ismail has turned to smoking his stock before processing it into coconut oil in Bagan Datuk, Perak. He has to work harder than usual to support his family. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
As the demand for unprocessed coconuts drop, Ismail has turned to smoking his stock before processing it into coconut oil in Bagan Datuk, Perak. He has to work harder than usual to support his family. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A youth pouring coconut milk into a plastic bag in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The demand for fresh coconut milk increases during the festive season and school holidays. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
A youth pouring coconut milk into a plastic bag in Bagan Datuk, Perak. The demand for fresh coconut milk increases during the festive season and school holidays. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Dusk at Kg Selekoh in Bagan Datuk, Perak. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
Dusk at Kg Selekoh in Bagan Datuk, Perak. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, February 11, 2019.
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