A coconut inside the warehouse of the Lomond Plantation. Coorg, India

I just finished reporting a story about the shortage of climbers in Kerala’s coconut industry. The state government is sponsoring a competition to invent a mechanical coconut picker that will solve the labor crisis. A radio version of the story will air on The World, a show co-produced by Public Radio International, WGBH in Boston, and the BBC World Service. I want to write a print piece as well. Know any newspaper or magazine that might be interested? I plan on returning to Kerala to produce a documentary on the subject soon.

UPDATE: The story aired March 3rd, 2010 on The World.

Swami, a worker at the Lomond Plantation, carries a mechanical climbing aid. The climbing devices, which consist of a steel harness and leg braces fitted with spikes, now allow unskilled workers to climb the trees.

Somewhere between Mysore and Bangalore, India

Bhanu (left), Sathya (center), Devi Lal Bahadur. Chennai, India