The Coconut Development Board (CDB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with St Patrick Coconut Growers Cooperative Society of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for technical collaboration in the coconut sector. The MoU was signed by CDB chairman TK Jose and Pranesh Maharaj, chairman, St Patrick Coconut Growers Cooperative Society.
This is the first time that the board is entering into an MoU with a Common Wealth country on transferring of technologies. The thrust areas in the MoU are supply of 60,000 coconut seed nuts / seedlings within a period of two years, transferring of technologies in production and protection, post-harvest management and primary processing, production of value-added products from coconut and mechanised palm-climbing. Skilled and trained manpower outsourcing is also envisaged for short duration.
Based on the discussions, the board will give technical support to rehabilitate coconut plantations in 10,000 acre over a period of two years.
Nearly 600,000 superior-quality seedlings will be produced. Shipment of seedlings is proposed to commence from 2013.
Pranesh Maharaj requested the board to send a team of officials to Trinidad to acquire a first-hand knowledge on the situation there and also drawing out a road map for developing the coconut cultivation.
As a prelude to his visit, C Chandadrath, High Commission, Trinidad and Tobago, held discussions with AK Thakur, additional secretary (agriculture and cooperation) and other senior officials of the central government. Subsequently, the prime minister of Trinidad Kamla Persad Bisssessar had also visited New Delhi in January this year and held discussions.