(a) whether the Coconut Development Board has indicated its readiness for a
market intervention programme to support Coconut prices;
(b) if so, whether the Coconut Development Board has started such operation in
Kerala;
(c) if so, the quantum of coconut or coconut products purchased from Kerala; and
(d) the plan for market intervention in other parts of the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)
(a) to (d): Government of India fixes Minimum Support Price of Copra every year.
The price fixed for 2000 Season is Rs.3250/- per quintal for milling copra and Rs.3500/-
per quintal for ball copra. The procurement under the scheme is made through National
Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) which is the
nodal agency for the purpose for copra. The State-wise progress of procurement as on
20th November, 2000 is given below:-
State Quantity of copra procured (Metric Tonnes)
1. Kerala 65,840
2. Tamil Nadu 66,700
3. Andhra Pradesh 10,401
4. Lakshadweep 2,004
5. Andaman & 2,487 Nicobar Islands Total 1,47,432