The Madras High Court bench here today directed the Government of India to consider the demand of the coconut growers association to increase the minimum support price for copra from Rs 59.50 per kg to 102.25 per Kg for 2016-17.
Disposing the PIL filed by President of the Association A Palanivel, the court said the government could consider fixing the price before January 2017.
He submitted that most of the coconut growers were small and medium farmers and they get benefit only after five to seven years after cultivating the tree.
About 35 per cent of the 6917 million tonnes of coconut nuts were used for copra. The cost of production was Rs 27.50 per coconut while the cost of copra was Rs 59.50.
The cost of copra should be incrased to Rs 102.25 per kg, he submitted. The officials had failed to consider the cost of cultivation while fixing the MSP for milling and edible copra.
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