Shifting Focus from Productivity to Sustainability in India's Coconut Cultivation
The 2026-27 Union Budget announced a 'Coconut Promotion Scheme' to rejuvenate old gardens and expand cultivation. However, experts argue that the focus must shift from mere productivity to climate-resilient sustainability. India is the world's largest producer and consumer of coconuts, but the industry faces threats from rising temperatures and diseases like root wilt. The article suggests that the Coconut Development Board (CDB) should prioritize developing drought-tolerant genotypes and fostering farmer producer organisations (FPOs) rather than just distributing seedlings. It also highlights the failure of previous cluster development programs due to high investment barriers and lack of institutional voice for farmers.
Key Points
- The 'Coconut Promotion Scheme' aims to rejuvenate non-productive gardens and establish new plantations.
- Climate change poses a significant threat, with projections suggesting temperatures in coconut-growing regions could rise by 1.6-2.1°C by 2050.
- Sustainability requires the development of climate-resilient, salt-tolerant, and disease-resistant coconut varieties.
- The Coconut Development Board (CDB) provides a 25% capital subsidy for value addition in the coconut industry.
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are seen as essential for providing institutional voice and market access to small farmers.
Exam Facts
- India is the world's largest producer and consumer of coconuts.
- The 'Coconut Promotion Scheme' was announced in the 2026-27 Union Budget.
- The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is the primary body for coconut industry development in India.
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