Question : Coconut Cultivation

(a) the details of the area under coconut cultivation in the country and the rank of India in coconut production in the world along with the details of the coconut production in various States of the country during the last three years and the current year, State/Union Territory-wise;

(b) the details of the schemes formulated by the Coconut Development Board to enhance coconut production in the country;

(c) the details of the schemes introduced by the Government for the production of various coconut based products in the country;

(d) whether the Government is considering to transform and modernise the agriculture sector which includes coconut farming in various coconut producing States of the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the other steps taken by the Government to promote coconut production and to produce more value added products like “neera” from the coconut to promote its export and earn foreign exchange?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

???? ??? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a): As per the Horticulture Estimates of 2016-17, coconut is cultivated in a total area of 20.82 lakh Ha in India. As per Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2016 data, India ranks third in coconut production in the world. The State-wise details of area and production of coconut in India during the last three years and current year are at Annexure-I.

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(b): Coconut Development Board is implementing several schemes through which financial and technical support is extended to encourage farmers in the country to enhance coconut production, which includes production and distribution of planting material, expansion of area under coconut, integrated farming for productivity improvement by promotion of scientific management practices, replanting and rejuvenation of coconut gardens, extension and market promotional activities , facilitation of formation of Farmers Producers’ Organisations, etc.
(c): Coconut Development Board is implementing a Central Sector scheme ‘Technology Mission on Coconut’ since 2001-02 for promoting processing and product diversification. Objectives of Technology Mission are as under:-
1. Development and adoption of technologies for processing and product diversification.
2. Market Research and Promotion
3. Development and adoption technologies for management of pest and diseases.

(d): Yes, Madam.

(e): Apart from the financial assistance for expansion of area, enhancement of productivity, assistance is also extended for production of quality planting materials of high yielding varieties. A scheme for removal of disease affected, senile/ old palms, replanting with new seedlings, rejuvenation of other palms is also under implementation.

Financial assistance is extended @ 25 % of the project cost limited to Rs. 50 lakh per project as backended capital subsidy for establishing processing units for production of value added coconut products including “Neera”. Establishment of 3 tier Farmer Producer Organizations in coconut sector are being facilitated by the Coconut Development Board. They are encouraged for efficient produce aggregation, primary processing, processing for value addition including “Neera”, better by-product utilization and efficient marketing of the produce.

The Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India has notified Coconut Development Board as an Export Promotion Council (EPC) for all coconut products other than those made from coconut husk and fiber, on1st April 2009 vide Public Notice No.169 (RE-2008)/2004-2009.
Issuing RCMC to exporters, securing benefits under Merchandise Export from India Scheme for products from the coconut sector, facilitating participation in International Trade Fairs, disseminating important trade information, analyzing market potential and market trends for the benefit of exporters, providing commercially useful information and assistance to exporters in developing and increasing their exports providing professional advice in areas such as technology upgradation, quality and design improvement, standards and specifications, product development, packaging etc. and organizing seminar, conferences and Buyer Seller Meet, etc. are the major interventions of the Board for promoting export trade of coconut products and earn foreign exchange.