Lok Sabha Question No. 123 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Development of Pollachi Coconut Cluster
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 123

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF POLLACHI COCONUT CLUSTER

*123.  SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  Rs.  250  crore  Pollachi  Coconut  Cluster project under the Cluster Development Programme of the National Horticulture Board;
- (b) if  so,  the  timelines  for sanction,  fund  release  and  implementation of the same and whether any delays have been reported in operationalising the project;
- (c) whether the farmers including Farmer Producer Organizations and Cooperatives are sufficiently informed and supported to submit proposals;
- (d) the steps taken to ensure timely infrastructure development in pre-production, value addition, logistics and branding as announced; and
- (e) whether the  Government  will  ensure  that  funds  do  not  remain  unutilised  and  take accountability for any lapses affecting farmers' income realisation in Pollachi region?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष और िकसान क̵  याण मंũी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 123 FOR 09 TH DECEMBER, 2025 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF POLLACHI COCONUT CLUSTER

(a): The Government has not approved any such proposal. However, Government has identified  the  Pollachi  region  in  Tamil  Nadu  as  a  potential  cluster  for  the  development  of coconut  under  the  Cluster  Development  Programme  (CDP)  owing  to  its  established prominence as one  of the country's  major  coconut-producing  belts,  high  concentration  of coconut  plantation,  favourable  agro-climatic  conditions,  well  developed  ecosystem  of farmers,  FPOs,  and  strong  linkage  and  demonstrated  potential  for  expansion  of  postharvest, processing and export-oriented activities. Accordingly, TANHODA was identified by the State as the Cluster Development Agency (CDA) on 02.09.2024 for Pollachi region. The Cluster  Development  Agency  (CDA),  in  consultation  with  the  National  Horticulture  Board (NHB), carried out a Cluster Gap Assessment Report for the development of coconut, which was prepared and submitted by TANHODA on 22.02.2025.

(b): As  per  the  prescribed  procedure  under  the  Cluster  Development  Programme,  the Request for Proposal (RFP) for selection of the Implementing Agency (IA) for the Pollachi Coconut  Cluster  was  issued  on  09.05.2025  and  two  applications  were  received.    On scrutiny  of  these  application  it  has  been  found  that  one  applicant  does  not  qualify  the eligibility criteria as prescribed in the Guidelines. As regards the second application, some deficiencies  have  been  found  including  non-submission  of  financial  statements,  turnover details, CA-certified net-worth certificates of shareholders and a complete component-wise financial breakup, which are required to be rectified for its onward process. The same was communicated to State Government/TANHODA (CDA) for rectification and resubmission for further consideration.

(c): Multiple  stakeholder  consultations  have  been  conducted  to  ensure  that  farmers, Farmer  Producer  Organisations  (FPOs),  and  cooperatives  are  adequately  informed  and supported. TANHODA and NHB conducted extensive stakeholder consultation meetings on 13.02.2024, 18.12.2024, 24.12.2024 and 08.03.2025, involving progressive coconut farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University Scientist and private sector firms. A pre-bid meeting was also held on 26.05.2025 with interested bidders to address the queries.

(d) & (e): As  per  the  prescribed  procedure,  strict  timelines  have  been  laid  down  for timely  development  of  infrastructure  across  pre-production,  value  addition,  logistics,  and branding  components.  Further,  the  online  CDP  Suraksha  Portal  has  been  developed  to facilitate  smooth  fund  transfer  and  ensure  end-to-end  transparency  and  accountability during  project  implementation.  The  portal provides  a  robust  mechanism  for  effective  fund utilisation,  real-time  monitoring,  and  seamless  transfer  of  financial  assistance  through transparent e-rupee processes. These measures collectively strengthen accountability and minimize operational lapses, thereby safeguarding farmers' income realisation.

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