KOCHI:
Central Government has approved Annual Action Plan of the Coconut Development Board for the year 2019-2020 with a financial outlay of Rs.212 Crore. The allocation is the highest in the history of the Board. 134th Board which met recently has approved allocation to various States.
The Coconut Development Board has been in existence, serving the coconut farmers of the country, since 1981. The Board, through its concerted efforts over the last 4 decades, has been able to bring in considerable development in the coconut sector in the country. India stands on the top of coconut production and productivity.
The total value of exports from coconut during 2018-19 was Rs.2045 Cr. CDB has taken special schemes for improvement of coconut sector in India. In the recent cyclones in Tamil Nadu& Andhra Pradesh and the flood in Kerala special financial packages were released to the farmers in these states. During the current year, the Board allocated Rs.29.66 Cr. to the Government of Odisha, to tide over the damage caused by cyclone Fani.
During the current year the Board is taking up massive Area Expansion Program and also encouraging value addition of coconut. More emphasis is laid for the production of quality planting material by promoting nurseries. In order to address the problems and bridge the gaps and to ensure adequate, appropriate, timely action, a Technology Mission on Coconut (TMoC) programme is under implementation.
Under the mission, involvement of Research & Development Institutions is being ensured for the Development, Demonstration and Adoption of Technologies in the implementation of various projects. In this endeavor National Institutes like CFTRI, CPCRI and State Agricultural Universities are offered financial support for research and development of new coconut based products. The allocation for the program was the highest in the recent years. The small and marginal entrepreneurs would also be benefitted by the scheme under TMoC.
In order to ensure transparency and efficiency of delivery of service, all the benefits under various schemes implemented by CDB will be transferred directly to the farmers through DBT mode. There was no hesitation on the part of the Board to prevent corrupt practices and punish corrupt officials. In all cases of alleged corruption, disciplinary action has already been initiated against the charged officers.
The activities of the Board are monitored by members of the Board which include all the Secretaries (Agri / Hort) of various States. Accordingly the Board could ensure that the hard earned money of the taxpayer is utilized in a most useful and effective manner.The Board will carry out its mission by its actions by way of sincere implementation of
schemes. The CDB is committed to the welfare of coconut farmers and would strive for the betterment of the farmer community and coconut industry.
