Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing has informed that Indian export of coconut products more than doubled from Rs 496 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 1022 crores in 2012-13 in two years time. He added that there is an encouraging trend in the growth of coconut exports in the current year. Shri Pawar said this here today while giving away National Awards-2012 for outstanding performance in coconut sector.     

           He further said that the share of India in world production of coconut is 26.34% and is highest. Productivity of India is also the highest with 10,736 nuts per hectare in the world. The Minister added that in India, coconut is cultivated in 18 States and 3 union Territories. 90% of total area under coconut cultivation falls within four southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 91% of production is also from these four States.

           Shri Pawar also said that Government has been providing top priority to the development of coconut. The Budgetary allocation to the Coconut Development Board has significantly increased to Rs. 181 crores in the current year.

           Minister also informed that the project on Replanting and Rejuvenation programme implemented on pilot basis in Kerala and Andaman Nicobar Islands from 2009 onwards has been extended to the entire State of Kerala.

           Minister also assured that difficulties in the coconut sector can be mitigated and a fair, reasonable and steady price can be ensured by product diversification through various modern technologies. As many as 259 coconut processing units having the capacity to process 61 lakh nuts per day have been set up in the country with the financial assistance of Technology Mission on Coconut.

           The list of awardees under various categories are:

1)               The Best Coconut Farmer- National: Shri B.A. Nagaraj, Karnataka

2)               The Best Coconut Farmer- South & West Region: Shri C.M.Mohamed, Kerala

3)               The Best Coconut Farmer- East & North East Region: Shri Bouribandhu Jena, Odisha.

4)               The Best Research Worker (Product Development/ New application etc): Dr. Yashi Srivastava, Uttar Pradesh

5)               The Best research Worker (Machinery/ Equipment development): Dr. A.C. Mathew, Kerela

6)               The Master Craftsman Manufacturing Coconut based Handicrafts: Shri N.S. Ashok Kumar: Karnataka

7)               The Master Craftsman Manufacturing Coconut based Handicrafts (small): Shri A.Pratap, Kerala

8)               The Best Exporter of Coconut Products: M/s. Indo German Carbons Ltd, Kerala

9)               The Best Extension Worker: Shri Johar Khan, Andhra Pradesh

10)           The Best Cooperatve Society/ NGO: M/s. Kottayam Social Service, Kerala

11)           The Best Palm Climber: Shri Paul Verghese, Kerala

12)           The Best Palm Climber ( using climbing device): Shri Jainendran V R, Kerala

13)           The Best Palm Climber ( under FoCT programme): Shri Sudheerkumar T, Kerala

14)           The Best Coconut Producer Society: Kanjiramkulam Panchayat CPS; Thirumeni CPS, Kerala

15)           The Best Coconut Processing Unit managed by Women: M/s. Kamdhenu Industries, Assam.

           The Coconut Development Board has instituted scheme of National Awards to recognize and promote excellence in coconut cultivation, innovative methods in coconut farming, product development, product improvement, quality improvement, product diversification and marketing.

           Prof.  K.V. Thomas, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing, Dr. Charan Das Mahant is also present on the occasion.

MP: SS: CP: (coconut) 11.02.2014