India mulls coconut oil distribution via ration shops instead of palm oil
India’s government is considering distributing coconut oil through the public distribution system (PDS) or ration shops instead of palm oil to ensure farmers get a better price, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said on Saturday.The Coconut Development Board has wri...
India’s government is considering distributing coconut oil through the public distribution system (PDS) or ration shops instead of palm oil to ensure farmers get a better price, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said on Saturday.
The Coconut Development Board has written to state governments about distributing coconut oil via PDS or ration shops. He noted that substituting coconut oil for palm oil in the PDS would not only provide a stable market and better prices for farmers but also offer healthier options to consumers.
The government is fine-tuning details of the coconut promotion scheme in consultation with farmers and state governments. Once these discussions are complete, a framework for the Coconut Promotion Board will be prepared.
The aim of this framework is to create a strong institutional structure to guide and support the coconut sector in the coming years, with the Coconut Promotion Scheme promoting production, processing and intercropping to increase growers’ income.
Intercropping and development of new, advanced, disease-resistant coconut varieties are emphasized to improve productivity and strengthen India’s position in the global coconut export market, according to the minister. Nearly 28 percent of farmers in Tamil Nadu are expected to benefit from the measures.
Many coconut plantations are over 60 years old, and productivity is affected by diseases such as root wilt and whitefly. The government plans new plantations, high-quality nurseries, modern processing facilities, and greater emphasis on value addition in coconut-based products.