133rd Board Took Decisions on Implementation of Programmes & Schemes of CDB

KOCHI:
The 133 rd Meeting of the Coconut Development Board was held at ICAR- National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.N. Srinivasa Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner to the Government of India and Chairman, Coconut Development Board.
Dr. B.N. Srinivasa Murthy, Chairman, CDB highlighted the major achievements and activities of the Board. Annual Action Plan 2018-19 for Coconut Development Board Schemes under MIDH at a total budget of Rs. 193 crore was approved by the Board. 10 % of allocation is earmarked for North Eastern States. 16.6% of allocation is for SCSP (Scheduled caste sub plan) (Rs. 32.038 crore) & 8.6 % of allocation is under TSP (Tribal sub plan) (Rs. 15 crore). 3% outlay is for Persons with Disabilities. To encourage processing & marketing, allocations under TMoC & Marketing increased to Rs. 17 crore & Rs. 4 crore respectively from Rs. 14 crore & 2 crore during 2017-18. For publicity & extension activities, allocation is Rs. 10 crore.
Under the Area Expansion Programme, a target of 1280 ha and under Regional Coconut Nursery programme, production of 15 lakhs seedlings is approved by the meeting. Under Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme, a total allocation of Rs. 105.00 lakhs is approved for 10 States which includes the insurance coverage of about 9 lakhs palms in Karnataka state. Under publicity & extension activities, more than 250 seminars/ workshops will be conducted across the country. Around Rs. 175 lakhs is approved for skill development trainings and 112 batches of different training programmes viz FoCT, Neera technician, handicraft trainings will be conducted at different states. Board will also participate in around 50 exhibitions in different parts of the country.
Marketing Assistance will be provided to entrepreneurs/ CPCs to participate in domestic trade fairs /expo and exporters to participate in international exhibitions, trade fairs, and buyer seller meets. Buyer Seller Meets will be conducted in metro cities. 40 coconut points/ kiosks will be set up and infrastructure support will be extended for establishment of procurement centers. Award for Export Excellence will also be given during 2018-19. Board’s initiatives in Aspirational Districts Programme under Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan were also approved.
M.R. Shankara Narayan Reddy, Vice Chairman and members of the Board, K.K. Ragesh, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, CPCRI, P.C. Mohanan Master, Kerala, P.R. Muraleedharan, Kerala, S. Mohan Raj, Tamilnadu, Dr. Biswanath Rath, Odisha and Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Bihar, K.N. Roopa Shree, Deputy Director, (Horticulture and Sericulture), Government of Karnataka representing the Principal Secretary, Government of Karnataka, Saradindu Das, Chief Coconut Development Officer and R. Madhu, Secretary, Coconut Development Board attended the meeting.