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Chouhan inaugurates National Meet on Coconut Promotion Scheme at IIT Madras
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Monday, 09 March, 2026, 16 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated a National Stakeholders’ Meet on the Coconut Promotion Scheme at Indian Institute of Technology Madras in Chennai on March 7, 2026. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, farmer groups and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening India’s coconut sector.
The meeting was organised following the announcement of the Coconut Promotion Scheme in the Union Budget 2026-27, which aims to revitalise and ensure sustainable development of the country’s coconut industry. The sector plays a crucial role in rural livelihoods, supporting nearly 30 million people, including around 10 million coconut farmers across the country.
During the event, the Union Minister outlined the government’s policy vision and providedguidance for effective implementation of the scheme. The programme also included interactions with coconut farmer leaders. Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, along with agriculture and horticulture secretaries from major coconut-growing states.
More than 1,000 participants, including coconut farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers from across the country, attended the meeting. Representatives from the Coconut Development Board and elected representatives were also present.
The Coconut Promotion Scheme proposes a holistic and integrated approach to address structural challenges in the sector. Key issues include declining productivity, ageing plantations, pest and disease incidence, shortage of quality planting material and limited value addition.
Major interventions planned under the scheme include large-scale production of quality coconut seedlings, expansion of cultivation in potential areas, rejuvenation and replanting of ageing plantations, and adoption of improved crop health management practices. The scheme also emphasises establishing integrated coconut processing units to boost value addition and exports.
The stakeholders’ meet also featured state-wise presentations and interactive discussions with farmers, researchers and entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to build national consensus and strengthen Centre-state collaboration to transform India into a global leader in coconut and coir product exports by the 2030s while ensuring better income and sustainability for coconut farmers.
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