Kolkata, January 6, 2026

                With an objective to review value addition and farmer-centric interventions of Coconut Development Board Shri Ramnath Thakur, the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Agriculture, visited Coconut Development Board (CDB) assisted coconut processing unit and coconut farmer cluster areas in Thrissur district, Kerala, on January 5, 2026.

            The Union Minister visited M/s Green Aura International, a coconut processing unit operated by Smt. Sumila Jayaraj, a woman entrepreneur assisted by the Coconut Development Board under the Technology Mission on Coconut. The unit is producing Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), coconut milk, and value-added cosmetic products based on VCO.

            Appreciating the achievements of the woman entrepreneur, the Union Minister expressed his satisfaction with the enterprise and stated that the Government of India strongly encourages women entrepreneurship, particularly in agri-based value addition and processing sectors. He emphasized that women-led enterprises play a crucial role in enhancing farm income, generating rural employment, and strengthening agricultural value chains.

            During the interaction, concerns were raised regarding the import of low-cost desiccated coconut powder, which adversely impacts domestic coconut processing units. A request was made to regulate such imports in order to safeguard the interests of local processors and coconut farmers.

            The Union Minister also visited Green Army, Thrissur, an NGO undertaking agricultural activities in association with the Coconut Development Board. The organisation is actively involved in mobilising coconut farmer groups, providing training in coconut climbing, and operating an integrated coconut processing unit. During the interaction, a request was made to consider the supply of coconut oil under the Public Distribution System (PDS) as a measure to stabilize prices, thereby benefiting both coconut farmers and the processing sector.

            The Union Minister visited the coconut farmer clusters of Velur and Puliyannur in Thrissur district, covering an area of 150 hectares under the CDB scheme “Productivity Improvement through Coconut-Based Cropping System (PICCS)”. Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, CDB and Horticulture Commissioner, apprised the Hon’ble Minister about the multi-cropping systems being promoted and demonstrated in the region. Intercrops such as nutmeg, pepper, rambutan, mangosteen, star fruit, mango, jackfruit, banana, ginger, and various vegetables are being cultivated alongside coconut.

            Expressing satisfaction over the initiatives of the Coconut Development Board, the Union Minister noted that these efforts are well aligned with the Government of India’s vision of doubling farmers’ income through productivity enhancement and crop diversification. He called for the replication of such models across the country to ensure improved and sustainable income for coconut farmers. The Hon’ble Minister also stated that the recent revision in the unit costs of various CDB schemes has been approved by the Government of India in line with this vision.

            The Coconut Development Board is directly implementing the Productivity Improvement scheme over 8,300 hectares in Kerala during 2025–26, benefiting about 33,250 farmers. During the current year, the scheme is being implemented across the country over an area of 27,000 hectares, covering major coconut-growing states.

            The Minister appreciated the farmer-centric implementation strategy of the Coconut Development Board, observing that active farmer participation ensures better adoption of technologies, efficient utilisation of resources, and sustainable income enhancement. He stressed the need for further strengthening the Coconut Development Board for the welfare of coconut farmers and highlighted the requirement for increased investment in the coconut sector.

            The Union Minister also inaugurated the coconut exhibition organised by the Coconut Development Board at the premises of CMFRI. Officers of the Board briefed the Minister on the various coconut-based value-added products and coconut handicraft items showcased at the exhibition. The activities of Coconut Development Board was also reviewed by the Minister.

SSS/6.1.26…..

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