Coconut Development Board : CDB Schemes for Prosperity

By A Correspondent | Kochi | Kerala

Coconut Development Board (CDB) implements various schemes like extending technical and financial assistance for expansion of area under coconut supplemented by planting material production programmes and productivity improvement programmes through its Regional Offices, state Centres and DSP Farms located in various states of the country in association with the state Agriculture/ Horticulture Departments, Agriculture/ Horticulture Universities, other related departments and agencies. CDB also encourages processing for value addition in coconut with supporting programmes of marketing and exports.

CDB schemes are implemented as sub-scheme with 100 % central assistance under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) which is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo.

For the year 2021-22, a total amount of Rs. 110 crore has been allocated by the Ministry for implementation of various CDB schemes under the MIDH.

Production and Distribution of Quality Planting Materials

The objective of the programme is to enhance the production and supply of good quality planting materials through following component programmes.

 Demonstration cum Seed Production (DSP) Farms, Establishment of Regional Coconut Nursery, Establishment of Nucleus Coconut Seed Gardens and Establishment of Small Coconut Nursery:

Expansion of area under coconut:

Under the Scheme ‘Expansion of area under coconut’, the financial assistance to a tune of Rs. 6,500/- to 15,000/- per ha. is extended depending on variety / location, for planting coconut seedlings in new area, with a view to increase the area under coconut and production. The subsidy is extended for a maximum of four ha per beneficiary, in two equal annual installments.

Integrated farming in coconut holdings for productivity improvement:

The objective of the programme is to improve production and productivity of the coconut holdings through an integrated approach and thereby increasing the net income from unit holdings with the following component programmes.

The scheme components ‘Laying out of Demonstration Plots’ and ‘Establishment of Organic manure Units’ under ‘Integrated Farming’ are being implemented in Public Sector Farms.

Technology Demonstration/ Quality Testing Laboratory

The scheme is implemented by two establishments of the Board viz., CIT, Aluva, Kerala and Regional Office, Guwahati, Assam.

The CDB Institute of Technology (CIT) at Aluva, Ernakulam District in Kerala is continuously engaged in the development and standardization of new value added coconut products and for demonstrating the same to entrepreneurs. It also houses the Quality Testing Laboratory (QTL) and Pilot Testing Plant integrating technology, entrepreneurship and quality management. CIT offers various services and training programmes to Individuals, Farmers’ Collectives /SHGs/Women groups, private entrepreneurs and Vocational Higher Secondary, UG & PG students (Food Science/ Food Technology/ Food Engineering/ Agriculture).

Marketing, Market Intelligent Services, Statistics and Strengthening of Export Promotion Council

The Board undertakes market promotion activities for the development of the coconut sector in the country. The major activities are Market Promotion, Market Intelligence, Market Research, Market Development, facilitating Farmers’ Collectives and performing the responsibilities of Export Promotion Council.CDB issues Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) at the capacity of Export Promotion Council (which is mandatory for exporters) to enable exporters to avail various benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy and duty neutralization schemes of the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India.

Financial assistance for establishment of Procurement Centres by Farmer Collectives in coconut sector, scheme for Skilled Manpower Development for Processing, Assistance to entrepreneurs/ Coconut Producer Companies to participate in domestic trade fairs/ exhibitions, Assistance for Quality Certification, etc. are also extended under the scheme. Support for setting up of Sales Outlets for coconut products and ‘Brand Building for coconut products’ are also extended under the scheme ‘Technology Mission on Coconut (TMoC)’.

Information and Information Technology

The Board organizes training & awareness programmes at Panchayat, block, district and national levels for farmers and other stakeholders on various topics related to coconut for enhancing awareness about the programmes of the Board. The Board is undertaking several programmes under Information & Information Technology with a view to disseminate information on various aspects of coconut cultivation and industry through publication in Board’s in-house periodical magazines in various languages viz, monthly (English & Malayalam), quarterly (Tamil, Kannada & Hindi) and biannual (Marathi & Telugu), various print, electronic & social media, organizing/ participation in exhibitions & fairs at national & international levels, production & screening of promotional video films, documentation of success stories, etc.

CDB has instituted the biennial scheme of National Awards in coconut cultivation, product development, product improvement, quality up gradation, product diversification, craftsmanship, extension activities, Farmer Collectives etc. The Board implements skill development programmes on ‘plant protection aspects on coconut including harvesting using palm climbing device’, ‘coconut based handicraft making’ and ‘neera technician’ for the benefit of the coconut community as a whole. The expenses including accommodation for these programmes are fully borne by the Board. The ‘Neera Master Technician’ training programme is imparted under Technology Demonstration scheme. The Board also maintains a well equipped Library and MIS in the organization, with IT support.

Technical Service, Project Management including Infrastructure and Administration

The expenses towards the technical services, major infrastructure developments and establishment are met from this scheme.

Technology Mission on Coconut

The Scheme Technology Mission on Coconut (TMOC) was sanctioned during the financial year 2001-02 with the objectives of (a) the development of new value added coconut products and by-products by research, bring these value added product to commercial production by assistance to promising entrepreneurs adopting these technologies, (b) providing assistance for the controlling of specific disease/pest in any specific area including development of technology for controlling of such diseases/pests to ensure undisrupted supply of raw materials to the coconut industry for the production of value added products and by-products (c) develop and promote market for such newly developed values added products and by-products including traditional products (ball copra, copra and oil) by research, surveys and brand promotion. The implementation of this scheme is on time bound project basis.

Replanting and Rejuvenation of old Coconut Garden

The main objective of the scheme is to enhance the productivity and production of coconut by removal of disease advanced, unproductive, old and senile palms, replanting with quality seedlings and rejuvenating the remaining palms through integrated package of practices.

Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme

Implementation of Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS) is continued during the year 2021-22 with the objective of insuring coconut palms against natural calamities, climatic risks, pests, diseases and other perils. Under this scheme, all healthy nut bearing coconut palms in the age group from 4 years to 60 years in a contiguous area (Mono / mixed) can be insured against natural perils leading to death/ loss of palm /becoming unproductive. 50% of the annual premium is borne by the Board and balance is shared between the State Govt. and Farmer @ 25% each, as below.

Insurance is for individual palms and not area based. Partial insurance of plantation is not allowed. Minimum 5 healthy nut bearing palms is the criterion to come under the insurance scheme. The scheme is being implemented in all coconut growing States through Agriculture Insurance Company and in association with State Governments.

The scheme guidelines are detailed in https://coconutboard.gov.in/docs/cpis-guidelines.pdf

Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme

The Kera Suraksha Insurance scheme for Coconut Tree Climbers (CTC)/Neera Technicians/Coconut Harvesters is continued during the year 2021-22. The insurance scheme is implemented in association with M/s Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. The scheme is implemented in all coconut growing States.

Coconut Development Board has opened up new vistas in the history of coconut cultivation and industry in the country. The focused approach yielded rewards in the coconut sector and it emerged as a viable plantation crop with a profitable processing sector to absorb the production.

For availing the benefits under various schemes or for further information one can contact the offices of the Board located in various parts of the country. https://coconutboard.gov.in/CDBOffices.aspx)

(Shilpa Bichitra | Special Edition | 2021)