Parliament Question: Coconut Development Board

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2600 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5TH AUGUST, 2025 COCONUT DEVELOPMENT BOARD 2600. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state: (a) the details of various schemes and components being implemented by the Coconut Development Board (CDB) across the country, State/UT-wise; (b) the details of number and location of State centres, regional/field offices, and other infrastructure established by the Board, such as, but not limited to, demonstration-cum- seed production farms, regional nurseries, quality testing laboratories, IT centres, and Centres of Excellence, State/UT-wise; (c) whether any evaluation has been conducted regarding the regional distribution and accessibility of such facilities, especially in emerging or underserved coconut-growing areas; and (d) the details of steps taken by the Government to improve regional outreach and adoption of technology among coconut farmers in the country, State/UT-wise? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य मं(cid:287)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): Details of various schemes and components being implemented by the Coconut Development Board (CDB) across the country is attached as ANNEXURE I. The Statewise/UT wise allocation under CDB Scheme for 2025-26 is attached as ANNEXURE II. (b): The details of number and location of State Centres, Regional/field offices and other infrastructure established by the Board is attached as ANNEXURE III. (c): The Board is having 25 establishments throughout India including NE states to cover all potential areas suited for coconut cultivation. The offices of the Board are regularly conducting baseline surveys, awareness programmes as part of various scheme implementation and for chalking out programmes for serving the coconut farmers in emerging/ underserved areas.(d): The Board is implementing various schemes for the production of quality coconut seedling, increasing the production and productivity of coconut, value addition, marketing, awareness programme, insurance etc. through the regional offices/state centres/DSP farms/other unit offices of the Board. An amount of Rs. 436.42 Crores has been utilized in various coconut growing states during last 3 years are given below: (Rs.in lakhs) Financial Financial Financial Target Year Achievement achievement (Field (Total) oriented schemes) (Total) 2022-23 11000.00 10751.58 5972.29 2023-24 15613.00 15040.85 10153.28 2024-25 17500.00 17849.95 13030.57 Total 44,113.00 43,642.38 29,156.14 • The details of State/UT wise achievement under various field-oriented schemes for last year’s is attached as Annexure IV. • CDB established 11 DSP farms in different agro climatic conditions for demonstrating region specific technology on coconut cultivation to farmers and production of quality seedlings. • The Board demonstrated the scientific management practices in farmer’s field of various coconut growing regions for production and productivity improvement through the schemes namely ‘Laying out of demonstration plot’ and ‘Replanting and Rejuvenation’ scheme. During the last 5 years, covered an area of 54725 ha by utilising Rs.183.23 Crore under LODP scheme and 30481 ha by utilising Rs.156.63 crores under R&R scheme. • During the last 5 years, 23100 ha was brought under coconut cultivation by following scientific management practices under ‘Expansion of area under coconut’ scheme by utilizing Rs.14.25 Crores. • Carried out product promotional campaigns and dissemination of information on the activities of the Board among farmers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders through various extension tools. • Conducted awareness training programmes at different parts of the country through its Regional and State centers in India. During the last 5 years Board conducted 1180 awareness programmes (State level seminar, district level seminars, block level seminars, FPO meeting, exposure visit within state, farmer field day programmes and promotional activities on coconut) throughout the country. It is targeted to conduct 668 awareness cum skill development programme during 2025-26. • The Board brings out periodicals in seven languages viz. Hindi, English, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Marathi and Telugu. The periodical in English, titled Indian CoconutJournal, is widely circulated in India among the progressive farmers, extension workers and scientists. The periodicals in vernacular languages cater to the information need of regional farmers. Regular dissemination of information through the periodicals facilitates the transfer of technology. • The Board has been undertaking multimedia product promotional campaign for promoting coconut and coconut products. The campaign was carried out through print and electronic media. These efforts have helped to give wide coverage on the goodness of coconut and increased the level of consumption of coconut products. • The CDB Institute of Technology, Aluva imparts training to farmers, entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups on coconut kernel-based convenience foods and coconut water-based vinegar. Also under ‘Technology Mission on Coconut’ scheme, Board provide 25% of project cost to a maximum of Rs.3.00 Crores for adopting the technology under Processing and Production diversification.ANNEXURE I DETAILS OF CDB SCHEMES AND COMPONENTS Coconut Development Board is a statutory body established by the Government of India for the integrated development of coconut production and utilization in the country with focus on productivity increase and product diversification. The Board has 4 Regional Offices at Bangalore in Karnataka, Chennai in Tamilnadu, Guwahati in Assam and Patna in Bihar. There are six State Centres situated at Pitapally in Odisha, Kolkata in West Bengal, Thane in Maharashtra, Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, Port Blair in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Junagadh, Gujarat. The Board has eleven Demonstration cum Seed Production (DSP) Farms at Mandya (Karnataka), Abhayapuri (Assam), Madhepura (Bihar), Kondagaon (Chhattisgarh), Neriamangalam (Kerala), Vegiwada (Andhra Pradesh), Pitapally (Odisha), Palghar (Maharashtra), Dhali (Tamil Nadu), Hichachara (Tripura) and Fulia (West Bengal). A field office is established at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. A Market Development cum Information Centre has been established in Delhi. The Board has set up CDB Institute of Technology (CIT) at Vazhakulam near Aluva in Kerala. The details of various schemes and components of CDB Guidelines are available on its websites. The major programmes being implemented by the Board are: 1. PRODUCTION OF QUALITY PLANTING MATERIAL 1.a. DEMONSTRATION CUM SEED PRODUCTION FARM (DSP) : Coconut Development Board have established 11 Demonstration cum Seed Production Farms across the country in states viz Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. (i) Setting up of new DSP Farms – An amount of Rs. 30 lakh is allotted for the initial two years from the budget for the new farms established. (ii) Maintenance of existing DSP Farms- From the third year onwards, till the yield stabilization (15-20 years), a maximum of Rs.1.00 lakh per Ha/year shall be granted from the budget for maintenance of the farms. 1.b. ASSISTANCE FOR QUALITY PLANTING MATERIAL PRODUCTION IN PUBLIC SECTOR NURSERIES : The scheme is intended to extend financial assistance of 50% of seedling production cost @ Rs. 20.00 per seedling. The remaining cost of production shall be borne by the implementing agencies. Quality seedlings of all released varieties and hybrids can be raised in nurseries by utilizing the existing infrastructure facility.Nurseries in State Government/Public sector/SAU/SHU/KVK and Boards DSP farms are eligible for financial assistance to enhance the production of planting materials by utilizing existing manpower. 1.c. ESTABLISHMENT OF NUCLEUS COCONUT SEED GARDEN : The objective is to establish nucleus coconut seed gardens of selected varieties in both public and private sectors to meet the growing demand for quality coconut seedlings of released varieties, including hybrids To establish nucleus coconut seed gardens with promising coconut varieties, financial assistance at 50% of Rs.7.20 lakh per ha i.e. Rs.3.60 lakh per ha will be provided by the Board in three installments on a reimbursement basis, as follows:  1st installment : Rs. 1.80 lakh/ha (50%)  2nd installment : Rs.0.90 lakh/ ha (25%)  3rd installment : Rs.0.90 lakh/ha (25%) The minimum area required for establishing a seed garden is 2 hectares, and financial assistance will be extended for a maximum area of 4 hectares. However, in non- traditional areas and North Eastern (NE) states, the minimum area requirement is relaxed to 1 hectare. 1.d. ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL COCONUT NURSERY: The scheme is implemented on project basis to ensure the production of quality coconut seedlings by providing financial assistance for the establishment of coconut nurseries. Financial assistance limited to Rs.90/- per seedling @ 100% of cost for public sector and 50% for private sector with a maximum production capacity of 25,000 selected quality seedlings per acre. The minimum production requirement is 6,250 seedlings per year in an area of 0.10 hectares. However, in non-traditional coconut-growing areas the minimum production capacity per unit is reduced to 3,125 seedlings. 1.e. ACCREDITATION AND RATING OF COCONUT NURSERIES : Coconut Development Board will grant graded recognition based on the infrastructure, production system and quality parameters of planting material and management practices adopted.  Any public/private individual/institution dealing with minimum 3 year experience in production of coconut seedlings can be a beneficiary under the scheme.  Maximum of Rs.1.50 lakhs for a nursery of annual production of min 20,000 seedlings with pattern of assistance of 100% of cost for public sector and for private sector.2. EXPANSION OF AREA UNDER COCONUT  The objective of the programme is to provide financial/ incentive subsidy and technical support to the farmers for coconut cultivation on scientific lines in suitable new areas as well as stabilizing the existing area for increasing the production.  Under this scheme, the financial assistance to a tune of Rs. 56,000 per ha is extended in two equal annual installments for planting coconut seedlings in new area. The subsidy is extended for a maximum of 2 ha and minimum area of 0.08 ha (20 cents) per beneficiary in two equal annual installments, as detailed below: 3. COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT IN EXISTING COCONUT HOLDINGS : PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT THROUGH COCONUT BASED CROPPING SYSTEM : Objective: The main objective of the scheme is to improve the production and productivity of coconut holdings through integrated approach and thereby increasing the net income from a unit holding on a sustainable manner. The scheme caters to key farming dimensions of productivity improvement through various integrated management practices including promotion of coconut based cropping systems. Mode of operation: The scheme shall be implemented on cluster basis through the Department of Agriculture/Horticulture of the State Governments concerned as well as directly by the Board. Financial Assistance: The subsidy is 100% of the cost i.e. Rs. 42,000/- per hectare limited to max of 2 ha per beneficiary in two equal annual installments 4. TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION/ QUALITY TESTING LAB CDB Institute of Technology (CIT) set up at South Vazhakulam, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala is the technical wing of Coconut Development Board which aims at overall development and promotion of Coconut Industry through a set of focused activities. CIT aims to integrate advancement in coconut technology, training, and testing on a single platform. Activities undertaken are: Quality Testing Lab, Entrepreneurship Development Programme/ Technology transfers and Process Demonstration of Value Added Coconut products, Technology Research, Development & Standardization of value added coconut products, Internship facility, Incubation facility, Project related consultancy etc5. MARKET INTELLIGENCE & RESEARCH, STATISTICS, PRODUCT & BRAND PROMOTION AND EXPORT PROMOTION SERVICES Coconut Development Board undertakes activities for facilitating market development, increasing market access, expanding markets, improving quality in accordance with market demand and promotion of market for coconut and its value added products leading to the development of coconut sector in the country as mandated in the Coconut Development Board Act. 6. TECHNOLOGY MISSION ON COCONUT  Development/ Demonstration of technologies: The projects received from Public sector institutions for the development or demonstration of technologies for management of insect, pests and disease affected coconut gardens are given the assistance of 100% of the project cost limited to Rs. 50.00 lakh.  Adoption of technologies: The projects received for the adoption of technologies for management of insect, pests and disease affected coconut gardens are assisted at the rate of 25% of the project cost (ie Rs. 0.40 lakh per ha), on pro-rata basis.  Development/ Acquisition/ training/ demonstration of technologies The projects received from Public sector institutions for the development/ Acquisition/ training/ demonstration of technologies for processing and product diversification are given the assistance of 100% of the project cost limited to Rs. 100.00 lakh.  Adoption of technologies for processing and product diversification The projects received for the adoption of technologies for processing and product diversification are assisted with back ended credit capital subsidy limited to 25% of the project cost in general areas and 50 % for higher cost norm areas as per MIDH norms and FPOs. The maximum subsidy is limited to Rs.300 lakh  TMOC scheme is on project basis. The detailed project proposal along with the required documents needs to be submitted to the Board. The project will be scrutinized by the Internal Screening Committee (ISC).7. REPLANTING AND REJUVENATION OF COCONUT GARDENS The main objective of the scheme is to enhance the production and productivity of coconut by removal of disease advanced, unproductive, old and senile palms, replanting with quality seedlings and rejuvenating the remaining palms through an integrated package of practices. The scheme is implemented on project basis based on State specific problems. Components and rate of assistance Cutting & removal of all the identified palms in the garden as per eligibility @ Rs.1000/- per palm to a maximum of Rs.32,000/- per ha. (through DBT) Rejuvenation programme @ Rs.8750/ha 1st year Replanting subsidy @ Rs.45/ seedling to a maximum of Rs.4500/- per ha 2nd year Rejuvenation programme @ Rs.8750/ha. 8. KERA SURAKSHA INSURANCE SCHEME  This is a comprehensive Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, implemented by Coconut Development Board in association with Insurance companies for Coconut Tree Climbers (CTC), Neera Tapping (NT), Hybridization workers and Coconut Labourers. Under this scheme, Coconut Tree Climbers, Neera Technicians, Hybridization Workers, coconut labourers working in either coconut farms or small scale coconut based industries (registered) can avail insurance against all accidents & hospital related expenses with respect to accidents. The scheme also covers the youths trained under Coco Mitra and workers /labourers engaged in the DSP farms maintained by Coconut Development Board.  Annual premium of the policy shall be shared between Board and the beneficiary in the ratio 85:15.ANNEXURE II State/UTs wise Allocation for 2025-26 Sl. No State/ UT Financial (Rs. In lakhs) 1 Karnataka 2461.75 2 Goa 194.49 3 Maharashtra 771.13 Regional Office Bangalore-Region 3427.38 4 Tamil Nadu 3771.70 5 Puducherry 70.32 6 Andhra Pradesh 3040.35 7 Telangana 117.59 8 A & N Islands 46.96 Regional Office Coimbatore-Region 7046.91 9 Bihar 163.73 10 Jharkhand 7.40 11 Odisha 364.67 12 West Bengal 307.01 13 Gujarat 408.42 15 Rajasthan 1.40 16 Chhattisgarh 44.78 17 Madhya Pradesh 1.72 18 MDIC, New Delhi 1.50 19 Uttar Pradesh 37.50 Regional Office Patna-Region 1338.13 20 Assam 803.68 21 Tripura 338.43 22 Nagaland 72.40 23 Arunachal Pradesh 77.17 24 Meghalaya 43.57 25 Mizoram 23.84 26 Manipur 10.40 Regional Office Guwahati -Region 1369.49 27 Kerala 3104.91 28 Lakshadweep 9.68 Head Office-Region 3114.59 Total 16296.50ANNEXURE III CDB Offices Head Office: KERA BHAVAN, KOCHI, KERALA Regional Offices 1. Bengaluru, Karnataka 2. Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 3. Guwahati, Assam 4. Patna, Bihar State Centres 1. Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2. Thane, Maharashtra 3. Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 4. Pitapalli, Odisha 5. Kolkata, West Bengal 6. Junagadh, Gujarat Other Unit Offices 1. Market Development-cum-Information Centre, Delhi 2. CDB Institute of Technology, South Vazhakulam, Aluva, Kerala 3. Field Office, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Demonstration-cum-Seed Production Farms 1. Mandya, Karnataka 2. Abhayapuri, Bongaigaon, Assam 3. Singheshwar, Madhepura, Bihar 4. Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh 5. Neriamangalam, Ernakulam, Kerala 6. Vegiwada, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh 7. Pitapalli, Khurda, Odisha 8. Palghar, Maharashtra 9. Dhali, Udumalpet, Tamil Nadu 10. Hichachara, South Tripura, Tripura 11. Fulia, Nadia, West BengalAnnexure IV State/UT wise Financial Achievement under CDB schemes during 2020-21 to 2024-25 S.No. State/UT 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 1 Karnataka 1015.37 1345.09 2622.70 5812.08 6660.717 2 Goa 3.39 11.12 39.68 156.16 170.045 3 Maharashtra 30.33 52.62 52.54 34.68 43.62 ROB-Region 1049.09 1408.83 2714.92 6002.9169 6874.382 4 Tamil Nadu 1936.30 1523.06 1516.34 2056.96 3396.46 5 Puducherry 34.61 25.20 6.40 30.78 30.992 6 Andhra Pradesh 1428.81 1227.37 822.40 1246.38 1095.394 7 Telangana 1.32 4.58 5.88 9.36 14.28 8 A & N Islands 2.06 0.34 1.59 4.65 5.70 ROC-Region 3403.10 2780.55 2352.61 3348.13 4542.82 9 Bihar 15.78 24.74 28.65 30.32 25.73 10 Jharkhand 0 0 0 0 1.5 11 Odisha 27.88 86.40 82.95 60.40 137.37 12 West Bengal 16.71 28.19 32.13 42.43 131.59 13 Gujarat 48.22 36.19 17.01 59.89 76.59 14 Chhattisgarh 35.90 43.53 31.15 27.53 35.64 15 Madhya Pradesh 0 0 0 0.02 0 ROP-Region 144.49 219.05 191.89 220.59 408.42 16 Assam 269.63 32.95 41.81 159.62 356.55 17 Tripura 84.16 25.61 27.18 69.81 207.19 18 Nagaland 1.68 38.39 38.81 5.19 0 19 Arunachal Pradesh 35.13 15.26 36.68 8.69 3.49 20 Meghalaya 3.33 2.85 2.64 3.39 2.64 21 Mizoram 4.06 6.40 6.50 2.39 3.00 22 Manipur 5.28 10.40 2.08 0 0 ROG-Region 403.27 131.86 155.7 249.085 572.87 23 Kerala 224.40 401.40 542.66 315.82 609.69 24 Lakshadweep 23.98 14.51 16.73 22.38 HO-Region 248.38 401.40 557.17 332.55 632.07 Total 5248.33 4941.69 5972.29 10153.27 13030.57 *****