Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, will inaugurate World Coconut Day-2018 at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur in Chhattisgarh on September 2.
Coconut Development Board (CDB) is celebrating World Coconut Day 2018 in association with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Chhattisgarh on the theme 'Coconut for Good Health, Wealth & Wellness,' a release here said.
Every year September 2 is celebrated as World Coconut Day to commemorate the formation day of Asian Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).
APCC is an inter-governmental organization of 18 member countries mandated to promote, coordinate and harmonize coconut developmental activities of the Asian Pacific region to achieve maximum economic development.
India is one of the founder members of APCC.
In India, World Coconut Day is celebrated every year under the aegis of Coconut Development Board in various coconut growing states across the country.
Around 500 farmers from all coconut growing states will take part in the function. An exhibition showcasing various innovative value added products of coconut and latest technologies in coconut sector will be held as part of the programme.
The programme will be followed by a technical session on the theme chaired by Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, CPCRI and Co-chaired by Saradindu Das, Chief Coconut Development Officer, CDB.
Coconut is cultivated in 12 districts in an area of 1561 hactres with an annual production of 126.17 lakh nuts in the state of Chhattisgarh. The major coconut growing districts -- Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Dhamtari and Kanker account for 81.61 per cent of the total area and 93.32 per cent of production of coconut in the state.
During the last three years the Board had extended financial assistance to the tune of Rs.91.38 lakh to the coconut farmers of the State under various programmes.
A Demonstration cum Seed Production farm (DSP) in an area of 100 acres was established by the Board at Kondagaon. Scientific coconut cultivation practices like integrated pest/disease/nutrient management, intercropping with Litchi, Mango, guava, lemon, cashew, Black Pepper, Cocoa, Coffee, integrated farming etc are demonstrated in the farm.
The DSP farm produces quality coconut seedlings of various varieties suited to the agro climatic condition of the area. The state is also having scope for further expansion of area under coconut in various districts.
Brijmohan Agrawal, Agriculture Minister, Chhattisgarh, will preside over the function. Ramesh Bais, MP, Raipur; Dinesh Kasyap, MP, Bastar; Devji Bhai Patel, MLA Dharseewa Constituency; S.K. Pattanayak, Secretary, Agriculture & Co-operation, Govt of India and Dr. Sunil Kumar Kujur, Additional Secretary & Agriculture Production Commissioner, Department of Agriculture & Co-operation, Chhattisgarh will be the Guests of Honour.
Dr.Raju Narayana Swamy, Chairman, CDB will deliver welcome address and Narendra Kumar Pandey IFS, Director, Horticulture, Chhattisgarh will propose the vote of thanks on the occasion. (UNI)
