September 2, 2018
India stands first in global coconut output and productivity. India’s annual coconut production is estimated at 24.4 billion and the crop is cultivated in 20.98 lakh hectares
Aided by the efforts of the Government, India is exporting coconut oil to Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Till last year, India imported coconut oil from these countries
India is exporting large quantities of dry coconut to USA and European countries; The crop contributes US$4.8 billion to India’s GDP and over 10 million livelihoods
More than 9,600 Coconut Producer Societies, 740 Coconut Producer Federations and nearly 70 Coconut Producer Companies have been established in the country
India exported coconut products worth around US$900 million during 2014-18, the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, said on September 2. This marks a steep rise from that of around US$557 million reported during 2004-14. Aided by the efforts of the Government, India has started exporting coconut oil to Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Till last year, India used to import coconut oil from these countries. Similarly, for the first time, India is exporting large quantities of dry coconut to USA and European countries. Mr Singh made the announcements on the occasion of World Coconut Day, which commemorates the formation of Asian Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).
APCC is an intergovernmental organization of 18 member countries mandated to promote coconut developmental activities in the Asian Pacific region to achieve maximum economic development. In India, the Coconut Development Board celebrates World Coconut Day every year in the coconut producing states across the country. The theme announced by APCC for this year’s World Coconut Day was Coconut for Good Health, Wealth & Wellness. The nation stands first in global coconut production and productivity. India’s annual coconut production is estimated at 24.4 billion and the productivity is about 11,616 coconuts per hectare. The crop is cultivated in 20.98 lakh hectare across India.
The crop contributes US$4.8 billion to India’s GDP and over 10 million people depend on it for their livelihood. The Minister informed that the National Horticulture Mission is implementing various schemes for the integrated development of the coconut industry and through these schemes farmers throughout the country can get updated on scientific coconut cultivation, product processing, marketing and export. The Coconut Development Board has also implemented the Technology Mission on Coconut programme under which 480 coconut processing units have been established with a capacity to process 2.7 billion nuts per year, along with offering financial incentives to the sector.