Coconut

Introduction

India is one of the leading coconut supplier in the world producing 13 billion nuts per annum. Grown mostly in the coastal region of India coconut is a product having multifarious utility. It is noticeable that almost all the parts of freshly grown coconut, eatable coconut or dried are used in some or the other manner.

Production area

The following Indian states have abundant of coconut growth : Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal, A & N Islands, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry.

Growth promotional activities

Policies made by the India government to enhance the growth of coconut and its allied products, oil etc are as follows:
Establishment of Demonstration cum Seed Production (DSP) Farms for coconut and coconut nurseries attached. Aid has also been registered / private / approved for coconut nurseries @ Rs.6 lakhs for a big and Rs.2 lakhs for a small unit. The new planting assistance is given at the rate of Rs.8000 per hectare, which is disbursed in two equal annual installments. Financial assistance for setting up of pilot plants for the integrated coconut processing @ 50% of the cost of building / plant / machinery or maximum Rs.5 lakhs.

Types

VHC3 is the recently developed hybrid coconut in variety. Among the plantation and spice crops, India is the first country to exploit hybrid vigor in coconut. Twelve hybrids involving tall and dwarf parents and 4 varieties have been released for commercial cultivation. These varieties yield 21 to 89 % more than the local cultivators. Some of the released varieties are Chandra Kalpa and Pratap (Banawali Green Round). Chowghat Green Dwarf variety is good for tender coconut purpose.

Groundnut is a major source of cooking oil and protein in India, and in addition is widely used as a snack food. Groundnut oil comprises 55% of India's vegetable oil production in a country where cooking oil is the second largest import item.