Guwahati: The Coconut Development Board has set up a Technology Development Centre at Vazhakulam near Aluva and a Field office at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala for the integrated development of coconut production and consumption in the country with a focus on productivity increase and product diversification.
Recently, Business North East (BNE) spoke to Rajat Kumar Paul, Director of the Coconut Development Board, during the Export Promotion Meet to get insights into the measures taken to promote coconut cultivation, and schemes for entrepreneurs coding businesses in the coconut industry.
Here are the excerpts from the Q&A interview:
BNE: What are the key initiatives undertaken by CDB to promote coconut cultivation in Northeast India?
Rajat Kumar Pal: At present, Northeast has 27,000 hectares of cultivated land, which yields 180 million nuts. Assam exports nuts to other neighbouring states like Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, while tender coconuts are exported to northern parts of West Bengal and Bihar. But, there is very limited value addition.
Thus, we are promoting various value-added products through different schemes, including Coconut Convenience Food Training and the Technology Mission on Coconuts, under which we are establishing a Technology Demonstration Centre through NERAMAC, under the Ministry of DoNER. Once established, this will be a pioneering effort in the Northeast. We also sponsor entrepreneurs to visit southern India, where most coconut product manufacturers are located.
BNE: What are the plans for advancing coconut cultivation technology?
Rajat Kumar Pal: Regarding exclusive coconut cultivation technologies, we have partnered with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under ATARI and the State Department for the Area Expansion Programme and have brought approximately 600 hectares under this program in the past two years. While farmers are often reluctant to use fertilisers, a critical input for sustainable production and increased productivity, we provide them with critical inputs like urea, phosphate, potash, organic manure, and pesticides. With the help of KVKs and the State Department, we are promoting these products in cluster mode in different districts like Barpeta, Baksa, and Kamrup, among other potentially suitable districts.
Crucially, quality planting material is essential for any crop. We have partnered with ATARI Zone 6, which covers the KVKs of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, on a project called the Regional Coconut Nursery. On a 50-50 sharing basis, we promote the production of quality planting material and support them by supplying coconut seed nuts from our DSP farm in Abhayapuri, located in Bongaigaon district.
They also procure quality seed nuts independently and plant or distribute them benefiting farmers in various districts. We also promote coconut cultivation holistically through capacity building at the district, block, and FPO levels and by conducting awareness programs.
BNE: What is the purpose of this export promotion meeting?
Rajat Kumar Pal: The recently held export promotion meet aims to promote value-added coconut products. ‘Export’ here refers not only to exports abroad but also to other states within India. We have invited entrepreneurs, FPOs, FPCs, government departments, scientists, and other stakeholders to share experiences and ideas to explore the potential of various coconut products, their importance, and how they can be promoted and exported, keeping all these objectives in mind.
BNE: Are there any schemes for entrepreneurs and startups from the Coconut Development Board?
Rajat Kumar Pal: Definitely! Under the Technology Mission on Coconut, the Technology Demonstration Centre is being established through NERAMAC, which will be 100 per cent subsidised. We also provide a 25 per cent back-ended subsidy, up to a maximum of 50 lakhs, to any entrepreneur, NGO, or individual establishing a coconut processing unit. For example, someone establishing a unit for virgin coconut oil, tender coconut water packaging, or desiccated coconut can receive a subsidy of up to 50 lakhs. A new project is also coming up in Barpeta.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
