Lok Sabha Question No. 1553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Development of High Yielding Varieties of Coconut
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1553

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3 RD  MAY, 2016

## DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH YIELDING VARIETIES OF COCONUT

1553.      SHRI J. J. T. NATTERJEE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE ‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं किसान िल्याण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  develop  high  yielding  varieties  of coconut in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether such kind of research is progressing in collaboration with the Government or Non-Government Organizations;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether various research institutes are working on developing drought resistant varieties of coconut; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which these varieties will be beneficial for better coconut production?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF  STATE IN THE  MINISTRY OF  AGRICULTURE AND  FARMERS  WELFARE

‡ãðŠãäÓã एवं किसान िल्याण ½ãâ¨ããÊã¾ã ½ãñâ Àã·¾ã ½ãâ¨ããè ( SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIYA )

- (a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Research for developing high yielding varieties of coconut in the country is undertaken by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, State Agricultural Universities and  Coconut  Development  Board.  36  high  yielding  coconut  varieties  have  been released by ICAR Research Institutes and State Agricultural Universities.

Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod has undertaken research  for  developing  tissue  culture  technology  for  rapid  multiplication  of  coconut planting  material  and  has  also  conducted  research  in  collaboration  with  CDB  for production of drought tolerant palms.

Tamil Nadu Agriculture University has undertaken research on 'Standardization of  in  vitro  culture  techniques  through  somatic  embryogenesis  for  propagation  of  elite coconut cultivars'.

- (d) & (e): Yes, Madam. Five drought tolerant, tall varieties from ICAR Institutes and one variety from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore have been released for cultivation. Details of varieties are at Annexure-I.

Annexure-I

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1553

Details of Drought tolerant Coconut Varieties

|   S.No. | Variety               | Benefit                                          |
|---------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Veppankulam-3 (VPM-3) | Drought tolerant, High yield                     |
|       2 | Kalpatharu            | Drought tolerant, High yield                     |
|       3 | Chandrakalpa          | Drought tolerant, High Oil yield                 |
|       4 | Kalpa Pratibha        | Drought tolerant, High Oil yield, tender nut     |
|       5 | Kalpa Mitra           | Drought tolerant High nut, oil yield, tender nut |
|       6 | Kalpa Dhenu           | Drought tolerant, high oil yield                 |

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