BHUBANESWAR:
Coconut Development Board celebrated 21 st World Coconut day on the theme, Coconut for Family Wellness’ at KIIT, Bhubaneswar on 2nd September 2019. Around 700 farmers from from across the country participated in the technical session and valedictory session held as part of the programme.
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister in his address, informed that India is an agriculture oriented country. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has announced that 10000 Farmer Producer Organisations will be formed in the country. But in coconut sector, we are already benefited by the formation of Farmer Producer Organisations which is a good model that can be emulated by the other sectors. He shared his happiness in bringing thousands of farmers under the umbrella of the FPOs in the state of Odisha. He called upon the farmers of the state to work hard in the wake natural calamities that occurs frequently in the state. He informed that CDB has allocated around Rs. 29 crores for the farmers of the state who are affected by the recent cyclone Fani.
The government is committed in the development of coconut cultivation, processing and value addition. Coconut Development Board is playing a major role in the implementation of same. Around 490 units are already functioning in the country with the financial assistance of the Board which has be to be doubled by 2020. Coconut is having high prospects in value addition and an array of products can be developed from coconut. Board is also playing a commendable role in undertaking skill development programmes and thereby generating employment opportunities in the sector. He appreciated the state for occupying a prominent position in the coconut map of the country and he offered all possible cooperation and assistance of the Government of India for the welfare of the farmers of the country.
The Minister inaugurated the exhibition of coconut products arranged at the premises of the KIIT University. The exhibition wherein 15 coconut based entrepreneurs, FPOs and related departments, CPCRI etc. exhibited their products and services.
Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo, Minister for Agriculture, Government of Odisha in his address briefed on the coconut situation in India, particularly in Odisha. He said that the coconut farmers are affected by frequent natural calamities for the last few years. He emphasised that special care to be taken to resolve their heavy loss. Around four lakh palms are devastated by these calamities. He called upon the farmers to ensure that their crops are covered under crop insurance.
He further briefed on the health benefits of various coconut based products, especially coconut water, coconut oil, virgin coconut oil etc. He requested to implement available schemes of CDB in the state of Odisha. Sanjay Agarwal , Secretary, Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India in his address briefed that it is for the first time that CDB is organising the World Coconut Day celebration with the highest farmer representation from across the country. He appreciated the collectivisation of farmers under the aegis of Coconut Development Board, viz. Coconut Producers Society, Coconut Producers |Federation and Coconut Producers Company.
He called upon the farmers of Odisha to form more collectives of farmers.He appraised the farmers that the government has waived off all the incidental charges in issuing Kissan credit card. He informed that the ned of the hour is to produce quality ssedlings to replant in the cyclone affected areas and requested for the whole hearted support of all in producing quality coconut seedlings suitable for Odisha climate conditions.
Susant Kumar Rout, MLA, North Bhubaneswar, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture And Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha, and B Pradan, AS& FA, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India also spoke on the occasion as Guests of Honour., Dr. Biswanath Rath, Vice Chairman, Coconut Development proposed vote of thanks. Release of coconut related publications in Oriya, Hindi and English was also arranged on the occasion.
Usha Rani, Chairperson, CDB in her welcome address spoke on the prospects of coconut, the wonder cop. India is the leader in coconut reproductivity and around 1.2 crore families are depending of this crop for their livlihood. Coconut can be compared to a son or a daughter and as a family member coconut is a gift to the mankind. She spoke o the various health benefits off coconut and highlighted the healing benefits of lauric acid which is present only in mothers milk and coconut.
Farmer representatives from various states shared their experiences during the occasion. A technical session was held as part of the programme wherein Dr. S C Sahoo, Profossor, OUAT and Dr. Amit Ghosh , Associate Professor, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar handled the sessions on coconut cultivation practices and health aspects of coconut.
