Life without coconuts and coconut trees

Once upon a time, the main revenue of Keralites was from coconut, paddy and rubber cultivation. Here is a healthy coconut tree, which is a rare sight these days in Kerala, due to 'kattu veezhcha' a disease, which reduced the yield of most of the coconut trees in Kerala. The reduction in yield, high labour cost and non availability of labour force have made coconut cultivation no more profitable. However, Keralite (Malayalee) needs coconuts, because of several resons. Coconut is used in most of the Kerala dishes. Toddy, the main liquor of Kerala is from the coconut tree. The leaves and the trunk of the coconut trees were used for constricting huts, furniture. The coconut oil is widely used for cooking and protecting the skin. I am unable to visualize a life of Malayalee without coconuts and coconut trees.