(a) whether the Government is aware that coconut farmers are facing crisis due to sharp fall in the
price of coconut;
(b) if so, the details of the average price of coconut during each of the last three years;
(c) whether the Government has received any proposal to enhance the Minimum Support Price (MSP)
of copra; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)
(a) & (b): Details of the average price of copra in selected centres of Kerala and Tamilnadu during last
three years is given in Annexure I.
(c) & (d): While fixing Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Milling Copra at Rs. 5100/- per quintal and of
Ball Copra at Rs. 5350/- per quintal for 2012 season, Government has already taken into account the views
of the State Governments, Central Ministries and such other relevant factors which are considered
important for the. fixation of Minimum Support Prices. Details of MSP proposed by the State Governments
for Copra for 2012 season are included in Annexure II.
NAFED is undertaking the procurement of FAQ Milling Copra as well as Ball Copra under Price
Support Scheme. So far (as on 21.11.2012) NAFED has procured a quantity of 54,864 MTs of Milling
Copra, 7886 MTs of Ball Copra and 49 MTs AP Special Grade Copra. The procurement is still continuing.
As per existing practice, the procurement of copra under Price Support Scheme (PSS) is made directly
from the farmers through cooperative network, without involving the middlemen so as to give maximum
benefit of the scheme to the genuine farmers.