Subsidy to promote coconut units

The State budget has earmarked ` 10 crore for promotion activities

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Coconut Day’ organised by Ministry of Agriculture, Coconut Development Board, New Delhi and Horticulture department here.

Katti said the coconut is grown on 4.6 lakh hectares in the State. The government was giving subsidy to jack up production, improving economic conditions of growers as well as promoting exports of coconuts and its products.

Government was committed to extending any help to avoid farmers from suffering loss by growing coconut plants.

MLA H S Shankarlingegowda presided over the event.

Technology

Dr Raghavan, a scientist from CFTRI, Mysore said the slogan of this year’s International Coconut day is adopting new technology for the survival of coconut-based industries and also developing the spirit of competition. Of late, there has been rapid progress in value-added products of coconut.

Dr Arasu Mallaiah spoke on common diseases that affect the coconut plants and pest management. ZP President S N Siddarth, Vice-President Nandini Chandrashekar, Horticulture Department Director N Jayram, ZP CEO Satyavati and Coconut Development Board Director Dr K Subramanian were present.

Deputy director, Coconut Development Board, Jayakumar Hallikeri and deputy director, Horticulture Department, Nagaraj also spoke.