Coconut Development Board in Kerala
KOCHI: With Kerala reporting a steep decline in coconut production, the Coconut Development Board (CDB) has formulated a slew of schemes to enhance productivity. The downturn has sent coconut prices soaring in the state.
The schemes include subsidy for coconut nurseries and nucleus coconut seed gardens, a cluster-based productivity enhancement scheme, and assistance for expansion of area under cultivation. Besides, coconut climbers’ task forces will be formed under a new scheme titled Cocomitra, where a group of 10 persons can form a legal entity — like a cooperative society — to avail a financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh for equipment and mobility support.
“Though we spend Rs 20 crore a year for productivity enhancement in Kerala, there has been a decline in coconut production,” CDB chief coconut development officer B Hanumanthe Gowda told TNIE.
