**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding climate and disaster resilience in coconut cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Konaseema district. The response, provided on February 3rd, 2026, details initiatives, assessments, variety identification, fund allocation, training programs, and research efforts undertaken by the Government of India and the State Government of Andhra Pradesh. The report covers the period of the last three years.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives and Support:**
* The government is promoting climate resilience and value-addition initiatives in coconut cultivation with support from the Coconut Development Board and various Central and State schemes.
* Financial assistance is provided to coconut growers under the Rejuvenation and Replanting Scheme for removing senile/diseased palms and replanting with quality seedlings.
* Climate-resilient infrastructure (pack houses, collection centres) is being created to reduce post-harvest losses.
* The Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society promotes coconut-based value-addition.
* Horticulture officers conduct weekly field monitoring for pest/disease outbreaks.
* Regular training and advisories are provided to farmers.
* **Impact Assessment and Monitoring:**
* The impact of recurring cyclones, coastal flooding, and salinity on coconut yield in Konaseema is regularly monitored.
* The Horticulture Research Station (HRS), Ambajipeta continuously monitors farms through field observations, farmer feedback, and experimental trials.
* Cyclone Montha (2025) had the most direct impact, while Fengal (2024) and Michaung (2023) influenced coastal weather.
* Cyclones cause uprooting of palms, crown damage, and severe nut fall.
* Coastal flooding/salinity lead to waterlogging, decreased nut yield, and nutrient deficiencies.
* Improved drainage, higher organic matter application, and balanced nutrient management led to better recovery.
* **Climate-Resilient Varieties and Seedling Distribution:**
* Climate-resilient and high-yielding coconut varieties have been identified and are being evaluated.
* HRS, Ambajipeta conducts research on coconut varieties with improved climate resilience.
* EC Tall and Godavari Ganga varieties have demonstrated better resilience and yield stability.
* HRS, Ambajipeta received ₹14,68,110 from the Coconut Development Board (CDB) to raise and supply coconut seedlings.
* Seedlings of EC Tall and Godavari Ganga varieties are propagated and distributed across districts.
* **Training and Awareness Programs:**
* Training and awareness programs are conducted for coconut farmers focusing on remedial measures.
* During the last three years, 10 training programs and 15 demonstrations were conducted.
* ICAR through KVKs conducted 22 training and 23 awareness programs on disaster preparedness and climate-resilient cultivation, including programs in Konaseema.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Coconut Growers in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Konaseema District**
* **Impact:**
* Improved access to climate-resilient coconut varieties.
* Financial assistance for replanting and infrastructure.
* Increased knowledge through training and awareness programs.
* Improved farm monitoring and advisory services.
* **Action Required:**
* Participate in training and awareness programs.
* Adopt recommended management practices.
* Utilize available financial assistance for replanting.
**Stakeholder: Horticulture Research Station (HRS), Ambajipeta**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for monitoring farms and conducting research on coconut.
* Received funds from the Coconut Development Board to raise and supply coconut seedlings.
* **Action Required:**
* Continue to evaluate coconut varieties and identify appropriate resilient options.
* Regularly monitor coconut health and environmental impacts, and provide corresponding advisories.
* Continue providing field level extension services.
**Stakeholder: Department of Horticulture and Coconut Farmers of Konaseema District**
* **Impact:**
* The Department of Horticulture is responsible for ensuring that research and recommendations reach the farmers.
* **Action Required:**
* Review findings and advisories to determine an action plan to ensure the health and survival of coconut plantations.
Key Entities Referenced
Coconut Development Board (CDB): Provides financial assistance to Horticulture Research Station (HRS), Ambajipeta for raising and supplying coconut seedlings and for supporting improved and resilient coconut cultivation in Andhra Pradesh.
Konaseema district: The district in Andhra Pradesh that is the primary focus of initiatives on climate and disaster resilience in coconut cultivation. Subject to assessment for recurring cyclones, coastal flooding and salinity impact on coconut yield and productivity.
Andhra Pradesh: The state where climate and disaster resilient coconut cultivation initiatives are being undertaken.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture: Provides support for the creation of climate-resilient infrastructure such as pack houses and coconut collection centres to reduce post-harvest losses
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 614
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3RD February, 2026
CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENT COCONUT CULTIVATION
614. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण
मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the initiatives undertaken by the Government on climate and disaster
resilience in coconut cultivation in Andhra Pradesh during last three years, district-wise
especially Konaseema;
(b) whether the Government has assessed the impact of recurring cyclones, coastal
flooding and salinity on coconut yield and productivity in Konaseema district, if so, findings
thereof;
(c) whether the Government has identified/designated any climate-resilient/high-yielding
coconut varieties suitable for cyclone-prone coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, especially
Konaseema district, if so details thereof,
(d) the details of the funds allocated, released, utilised for distribution of climate-resilient
coconut seedlings and promotion of resilient cultivation in Andhra Pradesh during last three
years, district-wise;
(e) the number of training and awareness programmes conducted for coconut farmers on
disaster preparedness and resilient cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, especially in
Konaseema district; and
(f) whether the Government plans to establish dedicated research/training/field centre for
climate and disaster resilient coconut farming in Konaseema district, if so, details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): As reported by the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Government is
promoting climate resilience and value-addition initiatives in coconut cultivation,
particularly in Konaseema district, with support from the Coconut Development Board and
various Central and State schemes. Under the Rejuvenation and Replanting Scheme,
financial assistance is being provided to coconut growers for the removal of senile and
disease-affected coconut palms and for replanting with quality seedlings. Through the
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana,support is extended for the creation of climate-resilient infrastructure such as pack houses
and coconut collection centres to reduce post-harvest losses. The Andhra Pradesh Food
Processing Society promotes coconut-based value-addition activities, including virgin
coconut oil, desiccated coconut powder and coconut oil, to reduce farmers’ dependence
on raw nut sales. In addition, under the Thotabadi initiative, horticulture officers undertake
weekly field-level monitoring for pest and disease outbreaks, such as Rugose Spiraling
Whitefly, and provide regular training and advisories to farmers at Rythu Seva Kendras.
(b) & (c): As reported by State of Andhra Pradesh, impact of recurring cyclones, coastal
flooding and salinity on coconut yield and productivity in Konaseema district is being
monitored regularly. The Horticulture Research Station (HRS), Ambajipeta is continuously
monitoring farms through field observations, farmer feedback and experimental trials. The
post-monsoon period of October to November is identified as the most cyclone-prone
season over the Bay of Bengal, affecting the Andhra Pradesh coast including Konaseema.
During the last three years, Cyclone Montha (2025) caused the most direct impact on
Konaseema, while cyclones such as Fengal (2024) and Michaung (2023) influenced
coastal weather with relatively lesser impact on the core coconut belt.
The assessments further revealed that cyclones and high-velocity winds caused
uprooting of palms, crown damage and severe nut fall in coconut plantations, particularly
during intense cyclonic events. Coastal flooding and tidal surges led to temporary
waterlogging and increased soil salinity, adversely affecting root health, nutrient uptake
and overall palm vigour. Salinity stress resulted in reduced nut yield, delayed flowering and
a higher incidence of nutrient deficiencies, especially potassium and boron. It was also
observed that plantations with improved drainage, higher organic matter application and
balanced nutrient management showed better recovery and relatively stable yields.
Specific studies on salinity and drainage indicated that blockage of the Sankaraguptam
drain due to siltation and encroachments caused saline backwater intrusion, affecting
nearly one lakh coconut trees across nine villages, including Kesanapalli and Gollapalem,
with yield losses exceeding 40 per cent in Razole and Malikipuram mandals. During
Cyclone Michaung in December 2023, about 309 coconut trees were uprooted, while
Cyclone Montha in October 2025 resulted in uprooting of approximately 1,291 trees. Based
on these findings, location-specific advisories and resilience-oriented management
practices have been recommended to the Department of Horticulture and coconut farmers
of Konaseema district.As reported by State of Andhra Pradesh, climate-resilient and high-yielding coconut
varieties suitable for cyclone-prone coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, including
Konaseema district have been identified and being evaluated. The Horticulture Research
Station (HRS), Ambajipeta, in coordination with the ICAR–Central Plantation Crops
Research Institute (CPCRI), is conducting research on coconut varieties with improved
resilience to climatic stresses. EC Tall and Godavari Ganga varieties have demonstrated
comparatively better resilience and yield stability in farmers’ fields.
(d): During the last three years, the Horticultural Research Station (HRS), Ambajipeta
received financial assistance of ₹14,68,110 from the Coconut Development Board (CDB)
and utilized it for raising and supplying coconut seedlings and for supporting improved
and resilient coconut cultivation in Andhra Pradesh. Under this support, seedlings of EC
Tall and Godavari Ganga varieties, which have shown relatively better performance under
adverse weather conditions based on farmers’ field experiences, were propagated and
distributed across districts, including coastal areas.
(e) & (f): Training and awareness programmes have been conducted for coconut farmers
in Andhra Pradesh, including Konaseema district, through research stations and on-farm
activities, focusing on remedial and ameliorative measures for managing the effects of
adverse climatic conditions. Such programmes were organized on need basis as part of
regular extension efforts. During the last three years, 10 training programmes and 15
demonstrations were conducted at research stations and in farmers' fields to create
awareness on appropriate management practices.
In addition, ICAR through KVKs have also conducted 22 training and 23 awareness
programs on disaster preparedness and climate resilient cultivation of coconut including 1
training and 2 awareness programs in Konaseema region during 2024-25, benefitting 1282
coconut farmers.
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