Export Excellence Awards Presented on World Coconut Day
The Coconut Development Board (CDB) has celebrated World Coconut Day by launching its newly revised schemes and presenting the Export Excellence Awards at the Adlux Convention Centre, Angamaly in Kerala. Speaking on the occasion, Shri. M K Ragahavan, MP and CDB Board member, emphasised the need for concerted efforts in processing and product diversification in coconut. The Government has introduced many schemes for the development of coconut cultivation and industry, and the financial assistance under various schemes of the Board has been increased manifold.
He urged the farmers to utilise the opportunity to increase the production and productivity of the coconut. Kerala was in the forefront in area under coconut cultivation, production and productivity. But the state lags behind now, and we need to work more to regain our lost glory. He motivated the coconut farmers of Kerala to work in a focused manner towards improving the coconut situation in the State.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, CEO of CDB, highlighted the need for sustainable coconut production and profitability in farming. He announced that under the revised cost norms, the subsidy for the Area Expansion Programme has been raised from Rs 6,500 per hectare to Rs 56,000. Similarly, the subsidy for seedling production has been enhanced from Rs. 8 to Rs. 45. He emphasized that integrated efforts in production, processing, marketing, and exports are crucial for ensuring the long-term growth of the sector.
He urged the stakeholders to work in unison towards the integrated development of the coconut sector in India. Shri Suba Nagarajan, Chairman of the Coconut Development Board, stated that the Board has been allocated a higher budget for schemes supporting the integrated development of coconut cultivation and industry. He reiterated the Board’s commitment to building a climate-resilient coconut economy through revised schemes, value addition, and skill development initiatives, which aim to ensure sustainable livelihoods for millions of farmers and workers.
The Export Excellence Awards, instituted by the Coconut Development Board to recognise outstanding performance in the coconut industry, were presented during the function. United Carbon Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, won the Gold award for Best Coconut Shell-Based Product Exporter, while Nova Carbons India Pvt. Ltd, Tirunelveli, and Jacobi Carbons India Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore, received Silver and Bronze, respectively. In the Best Coconut Kernel-Based Product Exporter category, Marico Ltd., Mumbai, won Gold, followed by Mezhukkattil Mills, Aluva, Kerala (Silver), and Fair Exports India Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai (Bronze).
Sakthi Coco Products, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, received the Gold award for Best Coconut Water-Based Product Exporter. Carbure Activated Carbon Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore, was honoured as the Best Women Exporter, and Global Coconut Farmers Producer Company Ltd., Tirupur, was recognised as the Best Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) Exporter. Coconut Development Board publications were also released during the event. Shri M.K. Raghavan released Improved Coconut Cultivation Technologies, while Dr. Prabhat Kumar, CEO, CDB, released the CDB Schemes booklet in English. Shri Suba Nagarajan released the Hindi version of the CDB Schemes booklet, and Dr. B Hanumanthe Gowda, CCDO, released the Guidelines on CDB’s Revised Schemes.
Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.
