Question : Coconut Plantation

(a) the details of the total hectares of coconut plantations in the country as on date, State-wise;

(b) whether it is a fact that coconut plantation is not organized cultivation in some States;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with steps taken by the Government to expand the coconut plantation on a major scale in these States;

(d) whether the Government is considering to expand the coconut plantation in tribal areas by releasing adequate funds for this purpose;

(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(f) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote the coconut plantation and also getting good market for coconut production in the various States of the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

‡ãðŠãäÓã ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ À㕾㠽ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA )

(a): State-wise area under coconut during 2013-14 is given at Annexure –I.

(b) & (c): Coconut is a small holder’s crop and ninety eight per cent of coconut growers are small and marginal farmers. Coconut Development Board (CDB) has been implementing the scheme ‘Expansion of area under coconut’ to increase the area by taking up new planting with high yielding varieties.

Contd..2/-

-2-

(d) & (e): Yes, Madam. CDB introduced a new scheme ‘Establishment of coconut orchards’ in tribal areas on block planting mode during 2015-16. State- wise details of allocation is given at Annexure-II.

(f): CDB has been implementing various schemes/programmes to improve production and productivity of coconut in the country. Detail is given at Annexure-III.

Government of India declares Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milling copra, ball copra and de-husked coconut every year.

CDB is also taking initiatives for formation of Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) for promotion of new planting and adoption of scientific management practices, collective processing and marketing of coconut.