Coconut Development Board Unveils Updated Schemes, Recognises Export Achievements

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Sep 3 (KNN) The Coconut Development Board (CDB) marked World Coconut Day by launching its revised schemes and presenting the Export Excellence Awards at a special event held in Angamaly, Kerala, on Tuesday.

Addressing the event, M.K. Raghavan, MP and CDB Board Member, emphasized the need for concerted efforts in processing and product diversification in coconut. The government has introduced several schemes for the development of coconut cultivation and industry, and financial assistance under various Board schemes has increased manifold. He urged the farmers to utilise the opportunity in increasing production and productivity of coconut. Kerala was once at the forefront in coconut cultivation, production and productivity. But the state lags behind now and we need to work more for regaining our lost glory. He encouraged coconut farmers in Kerala to work in a focussed manner towards improving the sector in the State.

Dr. Prabhat Kumar, CEO of CDB, highlighted the need for sustainable coconut production and profitability in farming. He announced that under the revised cost norms, the subsidy for the Area Expansion Programme has been raised from Rs 6,500 per hectare to Rs.56,000. Similarly, the subsidy for seedling production has been increased from Rs. 8 to Rs. 45. He emphasized that integrated efforts in production, processing, marketing, and exports are crucial for ensuring the long-term growth of the sector. He urged the stakeholders to work in unison towards integrated development of coconut sector in India.

Suba Nagarajan, Chairman of CDB, stated that the Board has been allocated a higher budget for schemes supporting integrated development of coconut cultivation and industry. He reiterated the Board's commitment to building a climate-resilient coconut economy through revised schemes, value addition, and skill development initiatives which aim to ensure sustainable livelihoods for millions of farmers and workers.

The Export Excellence Awards, instituted by CDB to recognize outstanding performance in the coconut industry, were presented during the function.

United Carbon Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, won the Gold award for Best Coconut Shell-Based Product Exporter, while Nova Carbons India Pvt. Ltd, Tirunelveli, and Jacobi Carbons India Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore, received Silver and Bronze respectively. In the Best Coconut Kernel-Based Product Exporter category, Marico Ltd., Mumbai, won Gold, followed by Mezhukkattil Mills, Aluva, Kerala (Silver), and Fair Exports India Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai (Bronze). Sakthi Coco Products, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, received the Gold award for Best Coconut Water-Based Product Exporter. Carbure Activated Carbon Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore, was honored as the Best Women Exporter, and Global Coconut Farmers Producer Company Ltd., Tirupur, was recognized as the Best Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Exporter.

CDB publications were also released during the event. M.K. Raghavan released Improved Coconut Cultivation Technologies, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, CEO, CDB released the CDB Schemes booklet in English, Suba Nagarajan released the Hindi version of the CDB Schemes booklet, and Dr. B Hanumanthe Gowda, CCDO, released the Guidelines on CDB's Revised Schemes.

(KNN Bureau)

MENAFN03092025000155011030ID1110010347