(a) whether the recent withdrawal of import duty on the unrefined palm oil and other edible
oils has affected the coconut growers adversely;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise, as on date; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in the interest of the coconut
growers?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 548 DUE FOR
REPLY ON 5TH MAY, 2008.
(a) to (c): The decision to reduce the import duty on palm oil and other edible oils was taken
by Government to mitigate the adverse impact on the consumers due to increase in the prices of
edible oils. In order to protect interest of coconut growers, Government of India has disallowed
import of crude and refined Palm oil and Palmolein through any port in Kerala and exempted
export of coconut oil through Kochi port from the purview of ban imposed on export of edible
oils.
To protect interest of the farmers, Government of India is also implementing Price
Support Scheme for procurement of oilseeds through NAFED as and when the prices tend to fall
below Minimum Support Price (MSP). For the benefit of coconut farmers, the Coconut
Development Board (CDB) is also implementing various programmes like expansion of area
under coconut, production and distribution of quality planting materials, productivity
improvement through integrated farming system and integrated control of pests and diseases.
The market promotion activities for coconut products are also undertaken by the CDB.