Centre will promote coconut sector in TN, says Union Minister

COIMBATORE: Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday assured farmers that all possible measures will be taken to promote coconut cultivation in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking at the farmers meet, organised by Coconut Development Board in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore, Tomar called upon farmers, entrepreneurs, officials and policy makers to tap the potential in the coconut sector.

Stating that 21 per cent of area in Tamil Nadu is under coconut cultivation, Tomar said that India has made remarkable achievements in export of coconut products. “Export of coconut products, excluding coir products during 2021-22 has touched Rs 3,236.83 crore recording an increase of about 41 per cent over the previous year. And, the total exports including coir has reached Rs 7,577 crore,” he said.

Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare MRK Panneerselvam said the state government has procured 25,000 metric tonnes of copra so far. “The state government is ready to procure more, round the year, if the Union government permits. Also, the price of copra should be increased,” he said.

AIADMK Pollachi MLA V Jayaraman, Amman K Arjunan and BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan participated in the meeting.