(a) whether the Government is aware of the problems of the coconut farmers in the Coastal
States in the country especially in Andhra Pradesh;
(b) if so, the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to resolve their
problems;
(c) whether the Coconut Development Board has initiated any scheme to assist the coconut
growers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 117 DUE FOR REPLY ON 1ST AUGUST, 2005.
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) to (d): The Coconut Development Board under the Ministry of Agriculture is extending
technical and financial assistance to the State Government to mitigate the problems of coconut
farmers through adoption of improved management practices especially for control of pests and
diseases. Special attention is being given towards control and management of eriophyid mite,
spread across the coastal states of the country, including Andhra Pradesh. Details of assistance
being provided to farmers under different schemes of Coconut Development Board are given in
annexure-I.
As a special package, an amount of Rs.3.70 crores was released to Government of
Andhra Pradesh during 2000-01 exclusively for the control of Eriophyid mite. In addition, under
Technology Mission on Coconut, an amount of Rs.1.63 crores has been sanctioned to the State
Government, Andhra Pradesh for management of eriophyid mite in coconut gardens during
2004-05.
Annexure-I
Programmes of Coconut Development Board
1. Expansion of area under coconut: Financial assistance @ Rs.8,000 per ha. is extended to
the farmers for taking up new plantation of coconut.
2. Integrated farming in coconut holding for productivity improvement.
(a) Scheme for cutting and removal of Tatipaka disease advanced palms by extending
financial assistance @ Rs.250/palm cut and removed.
(b) Scheme for providing financial assistance @ 50% of cost of establishment of organic
manure unit limited to Rs.20,000/- for promoting use of organic manures by establishing
organic manure production units.
(c) Laying out of Demonstration plots for demonstrating scientific management practices by
extending financial assistance of Rs.35,000/- per ha.
In addition, the schemes of
(i) Establishment of Demonstration Cum Seed Production
Farms,
(ii) Establishment of Regional Coconut Nurseries,
(iii) Aid to registered/private/approved
coconut nurseries and seed gardens and
(iv) Production and distribution of Hybrids/other local
cultivars, provide for production of quality planting materials and cultivars to help the farmers.