Lok Sabha Question No. 298 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-19
Subject: Coconut Cultivation
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, PRATAPRAO GANPATRAO JADHAV, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, R. VANAROJA, B.N. CHANDRAPPA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 298

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH   JULY, 2016

## COCONUT CULTIVATION

298.   SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D.K. SURESH: SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.: SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  coconut  growers  in  many  States  including Karnataka are in distress situation as they are not even getting Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce and there is huge difference between the retail price of coconut and the price actually given to farmers;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  increase  the  Minimum  Support  Price  for coconut to protect the interest of the coconut growers;
- (d) whether the Government is considering to introduce a scheme for the rejuvenation and replanting of coconut palms in various States of the country which will increase the yield and edible oil production, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has received a representation from the State Government of Tamil Nadu in this  regard,  if  so,  the  various  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  the production of coconut in the State?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI  SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

- (a) & (b): Government has requested all coconut producing States/UTs including Karnataka  to  send  their  proposal  for  procurement  of  copra  under  Price  Support  Scheme (PSS) in the interest of farmers.  Meanwhile, Central agency i.e. NAFED has been directed to  procure  coconut  in  the  States  of  Andhra  Pradesh  and  Tamil  Nadu  under  PSS  on  the basis of proposals received from them.
- (c): Government  of  India  has  already  increased  MSP  for  2016  season  to  ensure remunerative price for coconut and rescue the coconut farmers from the risk of price fall. For the 2016 season MSP for milling copra is fixed at Rs.5,950/-per quintal and that of ball copra at Rs.6,240/- per quintal.  Government of India has also declared MSP for matured de-husked coconut for 2016 season at Rs.1600/- per quintal.

(d): Government  of  India  sanctioned  centrally  sponsored  scheme  for  Replanting  and Rejuvenation  of  coconut  palms  in  Kerala  and  Andaman  &  Nicobar  Islands  with  a  central subsidy  of  Rs.478.504  Crore  for  implementation  during  the  period  from  2009-10  to 2011-12. Considering the success of the pilot project Government approved the extension of  programme  to  other  11  districts  of  Kerala  viz.  Alapuzha,  Kottayam,  Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam,  Idukki,  Malappuram,  Palakkad,  Kozhikode,  Wynad,  Kannur  and  Kasargod during 2013-14.  Further, the scheme was extended for implementation in Karnataka during the year 2015-16.  The scheme is extended for implementation in Tamil Nadu during the year 2016-17 and an amount of Rs.20 Crore is earmarked for implementing the scheme in Tamil  Nadu.    At  present,  the  scheme  is  under  implementation  in  the  States  of  Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

(e): Coconut  Development  Board  has  informed  that  a  proposal  was  received  from Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  for  implementing  Replanting  and  Rejuvenating  of  coconut gardens  in  Tamil  Nadu  at  a  total  cost  of  Rs.757.952  Crore  to  be  shared  equally  by  the Board  and  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu.    The  proposal  was  examined  by  the  Board  and conveyed  administrative  approval  for  an  amount  of  Rs.20.00  crore  for  implementation  of Replanting and Rejuvenation scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu during the year 2016-17 through the State Government. Details of the proposal and Level Administrative Sanction is awaited from the Government of Tamil Nadu for release of funds under this scheme.

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