Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan
| Photo Credit:
Bijoy Ghosh
The Coconut Development Board has written to State Governments on the distribution of coconut oil through PDS or ration shops. He told the media after a stakeholders’ meeting with coconut growers, scientists and industry representatives that substituting coconut oil for palm oil in the PDS would not only provide a stable market and better prices for farmers but also offer healthier options to consumers.
“Coconut oil should be provided in the PDS instead of other oils. If we promote coconut oil in the PDS, it will benefit the farmers. We will discuss this further with the State governments,” said Chouhan.
The government is placing special emphasis on developing new, advanced and disease-resistant coconut varieties to improve its productivity and quality, Chouhan said.
This will help strengthen India’s position in the global coconut export market, he told the post-Budget discussion in Chennai.
Stating that extensive discussions are being held with farmers, scientists and experts so that practical and effective solutions can be developed collectively, he said these post-Budget consultations are necessary to ensure that policy measures remain grounded in the real experiences and needs of farmers.
The government is fine-tuning details of the coconut promotion scheme in consultation with farmers and State governments. “Once these discussions are completed, a comprehensive framework related to the Coconut Promotion Board will also be prepared,” he said.
Encouraging inter-cropping
The aim of this framework will be to create a strong institutional structure that can guide and support the development of the coconut sector in the coming years, said Chouhan.
The coconut promotion scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will promote production, processing and intercropping, which will help in increasing the income of growers. He said encouraging intercropping along with coconut cultivation can improve the economic viability of coconut farms and provide farmers with additional sources of income.
The initiative will provide significant benefits to coconut farmers across the country. In particular, the Agriculture Minister said that nearly 28 per cent of farmers in Tamil Nadu are expected to benefit from the implementation of the proposed measures and initiatives related to coconut development.
Senile plants affecting output
Pointing out that many coconut plantations in the country are over 60 years old, leading to a decline in productivity, he said in addition, diseases such as root wilt and white fly are also adversely affecting coconut production.
“These challenges require coordinated efforts and innovative solutions to ensure that farmers can maintain productivity and improve their income levels,” said Chouhan.
The government is committed to ensuring that farmers receive better facilities and stronger institutional support. As part of this effort, several important initiatives will be undertaken. These include the establishment of new plantations in place of old and unproductive orchards, the development of high-quality nurseries, the availability of modern processing facilities, and greater emphasis on value addition in coconut-based products, the minister said.
Chouhan discussed various issues related to the development of the coconut sector, increasing production and enhancing the income of farmers at the post-budget discussion.
Published on March 7, 2026