Lok Sabha Question No. 3078 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Production of Coconuts
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3078

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST   MARCH, 2017

## PRODUCTION OF COCONUTS

3078.  SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) the total production of coconuts in Maharashtra during each of the last three years and the current year, year-wise;
- (b) the number of coconut tree climbers and tappers employed in Maharashtra;
- (c) the  number  of  farms  owned  by  the  Coconut  Development  Board  and  the  types  and varieties of coconut grown in Maharashtra; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Coconut  Development  Board  to  promote  the  cultivation  of coconut?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): The production of coconuts in Maharashtra during each of the last three years and the current year, is as under:-
- (b): Most of coconut growers in Maharashtra hire coconut tree climbers and tappers on daily wages. They are not permanently employed by cultivators.
- (c): Coconut Development Board has established 10 Demonstration cum Seed Production Farms in the country; of which one is at Palghar in Maharashtra. Coconut varieties cultivated in Maharashtra  are  Benaulim  Tall,  Pratap,  West  Coast  Tall,  Tiptur  Tall,  Calangute,  Chowghat Orange Dwarf, Chowghat Green Dwarf, Malayan Green Dwarf, Malayan Yellow Dwarf, Malayan Orange Dwarf etc

| Production in '000MT   | Production in '000MT             | Production in '000MT   |
|------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------|
| Sl. No.                | Year                             | Production             |
| 1                      | 2013-14                          | 129.02                 |
| 2                      | 2014-15                          | 129.00                 |
| 3                      | 2015-16                          | 186.67                 |
| 4                      | 2016-17(First Advance Estimates) | 192.41                 |

(d): Coconut Development Board is presently implementing following developmental schemes for promoting coconut cultivation in the country:

## A.  Normal schemes

1.   Production and Distribution of Planting Material.
2.  Expansion of Area under Coconut.
3.  Integrated Farming for Productivity Improvement.
4.  Technology Demonstration/Quality Testing Lab.
5.  Marketing, Market Intelligent Services, Statistics and Strengthening of Export Promotion Council.
6.  Information and Information Technology.

## B.  Technology Mission on Coconut (TMOC)

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.

In  addition  to  the  above  regular  schemes,  Board  is  also  implementing  the  following programmes to promote production of coconut in the country:

1.  Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) in coconut sector.
2.  Skill Development Training Programmes- Friends of Coconut Tree (FoCT).

It is planned to continue these schemes in all the coconut growing states. More thrust will be given  to  processing  and  value  addition  of  coconut  and  market  promotion  of  various  coconut products.

********