Assam is facing a significant challenge in doubling its coconut productivity to match the state of Andhra Pradesh, which reportedly leads the country with over 15,900 coconuts produced per hectare. The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is empowering farmers of the northeastern region through various initiatives. In September, CDB officials urged farmers to adopt proper management strategies to achieve self-sufficiency in coconut production.
Recently, Business North East (BNE) spoke to Rajat Kumar Pal, the Director of CDB, who shed light on the new trends in coconut production, new welfare initiatives, and the exposure visit CDB conducted for 40 farmers in Bangalore.
When asked about the current trends in coconut production in the Northeast, Rajat Kumar Pal said, "The Coconut fruit is linked to religious and cultural practices, and people are increasingly interested in health benefits, such as coconut water and virgin coconut oil, even though it is not considered a priority crop. Awareness of coconut products increased after the pandemic. People started commercializing coconut cakes and creating various coconut food products."
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According to Rajat Kumar Pal, the Coconut Development Board has taken necessary steps to promote coconut cultivation through several schemes under the Ministry of DoNER. For instance, 100 per cent financial assistance to NERAMAC to set up virgin coconut oil and desiccated coconut powder unit, with pending approval from authorities for additional projects in the pipeline.
CDB promotes coconut productivity in Assam through initiatives, farmer exposure visits, and collaborations with NABARD and ATARI.
The Board is also operating an initiative called Market Kiosk in multiple locations, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu. "We have assisted one entrepreneur in setting up one unit in Sonitpur. She sells coconut-made products like candy, squash, etc. We are also collaborating with NABARD and other government organizations to promote coconut products," Rajat Kumar Pal said while speaking of the initiatives taken in Assam.
The official further revealed that as many as 40 farmers went to a giant farm near Mysore called Mandia, where they got good exposure. Lakhs of coconut are loaded in trucks at 'Madhur market', a wholesale market located near Mandia and exported to different states like Delhi, UP, Bihar, and Gujarat. Trucks loaded with Coconuts come to the Madhur market from across the north.
Rajat Kumar said that it was an eye-opener session for the farmers. "Our farmers visited this location. They also visited the tender coconut packaging centre and other places surrounding it. The farmers saw a lot. They are willing to do something with coconut after this learning. Let’s see what happens," he told Priyanka Chakravarty of BNE during the interview.
Speaking of the recent collaboration with NABARD and ATTARI, he said, "The Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) operates Zone 6 in Guwahati and Zone 7 in Umiam, covering Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura. ATARI aims to reach grassroots farmers despite limited capacity. The first initiative is to grow planting material funded by the KVK. The second is to focus on improving awareness of coconut products among farmers and scientific monitoring. The third initiative involves marketing meets and export promotion programs, associating with NABARD, a tribal development fund, in tribal-dominated areas."
Moreover, Coconut production faces many challenges. It is a perennial crop that can last for 60-70 years. However, there is a technology gap in spacing between seedlings, which is 20-25 feet. Farmers are negligent in maintaining this space, leading to the problem of monkeys and squirrels.
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"In Kamrup and Nalbari, intensive coconut cultivation is often done at homesteads, leading to the introduction of tin platting to prevent squirrels from jumping from one palm to another. Forest protection laws prohibit killing squirrels, making them a threat to coconut cultivation. In addition, coconut pumps struggle to provide irrigation during dry periods, reducing production and productivity," he said.
"A 'Rejuvenation and Replanting' scheme has been implemented in partnership with the Directorate of Horticulture, Assam. Funding for this scheme is yet to be determined," Rajat Kumar Pal told BNE, adding that farmers can work towards a more sustainable and productive coconut farming system by addressing these issues and promoting awareness.
Check out the full interview: (Add Video)