Coconut Development Board

18.11.2023

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Why in the news?

Recently, the Coconut Development Board (CDB) launched the 'Hello Nariyal' Friends of Coconut Trees (FOCT) call center facility to help farmers with coconut harvesting and plantation management operations.

About Hello Nariyal :

• The 'Hello Nariyal' call center will function from the Board's headquarters in Kochi, Kerala.
• This initiative will benefit coconut growers and extend its services to the traditional coconut producing states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka through the respective unit offices of the Board.
• Services to carry out coconut cultivation related activities including coconut cultivation, plant protection, harvesting, seed nut procurement and nursery management will be available at the block and gram panchayat level in the respective districts.
• There are 1,924 registered Friends of Coconut Trees (FoCT) for the 'Hello Nariyal' call centre.

Objective of "Hello Nariyal":

• The primary objective of the “Hello Nariyal” initiative is to create a dedicated platform to cater to the needs of coconut growers, provide expert guidance and provide service related to coconut cultivation.

Main services of Hello Nariyal:

• Nursery Management: To provide expertise in nursery management to enhance the growth of healthy coconut seeds.
• Coconut Tree Climbing: Providing guidance and techniques for safe and efficient coconut tree climbing.
• Plant Protection: To provide information on pest control and disease management to ensure the safety of coconut trees and healthy yields.
• Harvesting: Advising on optimal harvesting practices for maximum yield and quality of coconut.
• Seed nut procurement: To assist farmers in purchasing high quality seed nuts for planting, contributing to the overall improvement of coconut orchards.

About Coconut Development Board:

• It is a statutory body established by the Government of India.
• It was established for integrated development of coconut production and utilization in the country with a focus on productivity enhancement and product diversification.
• The Board came into existence on 12 January 1981.
• It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
• Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala
  • Its regional offices are in Bangalore in Karnataka, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Guwahati in Assam and Patna in Bihar.

Objectives of Coconut Development Board:

• To increase production and productivity of coconut.
• To improve the quality of coconut products.
• To promote diversification of coconut products.
• To develop and disseminate improved coconut farming practices.
• To promote adoption of coconut processing technologies.
• To facilitate market access for coconut products.
• To promote research and development in the coconut sector.

Functions of Coconut Development Board:

• Research and Development: CDB conducts research on coconut cultivation and processing to develop improved varieties, cultivation methods and processing technologies.
• Extension and Training: CDB provides extension services to educate coconut growers about better farming practices and processing technologies.
• Quality Control: CDB conducts quality control testing of coconut products to ensure that they meet export standards.
• Marketing and Promotion: CDB promotes consumption of coconut products and facilitates market access for coconut growers and processors.
• Policy Advocacy: CDB advocates for policies that support the development of the coconut sector.