Gujarat eyes higher coconut acreage

Traditionally known as a cotton and groundnut grower, Gujarat is gradually making it as a coconut producer. In fact, its yield per hectare is better than the number one coconut producer in the country, Kerala. 

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also ahead in output but the Coconut Development Board (CDB) and the Gujarat government believe the state can usefully utilise its 1,600-km coast (the highest for any state in the country) for cultivating more in the coming years. 

Even after coconut productivity in Gujarat dipped from 16,000 nuts a hectare in 2011-12   to 9,300 aha now, this is still better than Kerala,