Question : SALE OF COCONUT WATER

(a) whether tender coconut water is more hygienic and contains more protein than mineral water;

(b) whether the tender coconut water is also cheaper than mineral water;

(c) whether any new technology is to be developed in the country like mineral water for its bottling and sale of tender coconut water for general consumption:

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether Andhra Pradesh and other States in the country are producing large quantity of tender coconut; and

(f) if so, the steps, the Government propose to take for the promotion of tender coconut water?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)


(a): Tender coconut water has natural taste and flavour and contains sugars, minerals vitamins and proteins. Tender coconut water also contains enzymes in minute quantities.

(b): Same volume of tender coconut water is costlier than mineral water.

(c) & (d): The Coconut Development Board in collaboration with the Defence Food Research Laboratory has developed technology for preservation and packing of tender coconut water in pouches and cans. This technology has already been transferred to five entrepreneurs. This technology transferred to one of entrepreneurs in Karnataka has started production. The packed tender coconut water is now available in market as Cocojal.

(e): Large quantities of tender coconut are being produced in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

(f): Coconut Development Board is encouraging the development of tender coconut variety. Besides the Board is also promoting the consumption of tender coconut water in the country by providing assistance for setting up of tender coconut water parlours. Brochures and advertisements are also released through mass media for generic promotion of various nutritional and medicinal properties of tender coconut water.