Question : Coconut Cultivation

(a) whether the Government is aware that coconut growers in many States including Karnataka are in distress situation as they are not even getting Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce and there is huge difference between the retail price of coconut and the price actually given to farmers;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government is considering to increase the Minimum Support Price for coconut to protect the interest of the coconut growers;

(d) whether the Government is considering to introduce a scheme for the rejuvenation and replanting of coconut palms in various States of the country which will increase the yield and edible oil production, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has received a representation from the State Government of Tamil Nadu in this regard, if so, the various steps taken by the Government to promote the production of coconut in the State?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): Government has requested all coconut producing States/UTs including Karnataka to send their proposal for procurement of copra under Price Support Scheme (PSS) in the interest of farmers. Meanwhile, Central agency i.e. NAFED has been directed to procure coconut in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu under PSS on the basis of proposals received from them.

(c): Government of India has already increased MSP for 2016 season to ensure remunerative price for coconut and rescue the coconut farmers from the risk of price fall. For the 2016 season MSP for milling copra is fixed at Rs.5,950/-per quintal and that of ball copra at Rs.6,240/- per quintal. Government of India has also declared MSP for matured de-husked coconut for 2016 season at Rs.1600/- per quintal.

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(d): Government of India sanctioned centrally sponsored scheme for Replanting and Rejuvenation of coconut palms in Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands with a central subsidy of Rs.478.504 Crore for implementation during the period from 2009-10 to 2011-12. Considering the success of the pilot project Government approved the extension of programme to other 11 districts of Kerala viz. Alapuzha, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Idukki, Malappuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wynad, Kannur and Kasargod during 2013-14. Further, the scheme was extended for implementation in Karnataka during the year 2015-16. The scheme is extended for implementation in Tamil Nadu during the year 2016-17 and an amount of Rs.20 Crore is earmarked for implementing the scheme in Tamil Nadu. At present, the scheme is under implementation in the States of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.


(e): Coconut Development Board has informed that a proposal was received from Government of Tamil Nadu for implementing Replanting and Rejuvenating of coconut gardens in Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs.757.952 Crore to be shared equally by the Board and Government of Tamil Nadu. The proposal was examined by the Board and conveyed administrative approval for an amount of Rs.20.00 crore for implementation of Replanting and Rejuvenation scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu during the year 2016-17 through the State Government. Details of the proposal and Level Administrative Sanction is awaited from the Government of Tamil Nadu for release of funds under this scheme.



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