The Centre has granted permission for exporting about 10,000 tonnes of coconut oil from 13 ports, Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas said today.
Restriction on coconut oil export has been removed and it has been decided to permit export in five kg packets, Thomas said at a function here to mark observance of the World Coconut Day today.
In an effort to instill interest in coconut farming among school students, a scheme has been drawn up after discussions with the Kerala government as per which about seven lakh coconut seedlings would be distributed to school students. The saplings would be later purchased by the coconut Development Board (CDB) as part of a buy back scheme.
India was targetting an earning of Rs 600 crore from export of coconut products this year against last year's Rs 442 crore, he said.
The 'Kera Patham' 'Coconut Trail' scheme had been launched in Kumbalangi and Chellanam panchayats, and efforts are on to launch it in selected panchayats in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Orissa.
The minister also laid the foundation stone for a 'Farmers Block' at the board headquarters to impart technological training to farmers, processors, traders and exporters.
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Dominic Presentation, MLA, launched the national project 'Cocotech Promotion' 2010 scheme on application of technology for export promotion.The objective is to develop technologies for coconut processing value addition,product diversification and assistance for setting up coconut processing units, among others.
To create awareness on coconut's potential among farmers, processors, traders,exporters and consumers, the Board also released a trilogy -- 'Nalikerathinte Nattil (In the land of coconut), 'Cracking Coconut' and 'In a Nutshell'.