Kochi: The production of coconut in India during 2021-22 was 20,309 million nuts which accounts for more than 31 per cent of the global production.
“The productivity was recorded at 9,346 nuts per hectare. The total area under coconut is 21.73 lakh hectare,” a release from the Coconut Development Board (CDB) said.
India leads the coconut growing countries in production and productivity and holds the third position in area under coconut.
The four southern States viz Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh contribute to about 90 per cent of the area and production. The state of Karnataka occupies a major share of the coconut cultivation in India.
Coconut is currently cultivated in an area of 5.5733 lakh ha in Karnataka. Production of coconut in the state is 5897.32 million nuts with a productivity of 10,581 nuts per ha. The productivity is much higher than the national average of 9123 nuts per ha.
Karnataka contributes to about 26.42 per cent of area and 30.64 per cent of production under coconut in India. Tumkur district ranks first in terms of area (1,78,748 ha) as well as production (13123.68 lakh nuts), which is followed by Hassan District (97,999 ha – 4759.81 lakh nuts) and Mandya District (67106 ha – 6009.34 lakh nuts).
A Regional Office at Bangalore and a Demonstration Cum Seed Production Centre of the Board at Mandya is functioning in the state with the objective to promote coconut cultivation in the state and to support the coconut farmers by implementing the programmes of CDB as well as to provide guidance in scientific cultivation methods and processing and marketing of coconut.
Coconuts are consumed as tender coconut as well as matured coconut for routine culinary purposes apart from worshipping. Coconut oil is also used as cooking oil in many parts of the State.
Many value added coconut products are being manufactured in the State and traded in domestic and international markets. Coir industry in the State is a promising venture.
A ‘CDB Foundation Day’ Celebration and Farmers Meet is being held at Shesha Krishna Convention Hall at Kundapura, Udupi, Karnataka, on Thursday
