Coconut Development Board launches revised schemes

The Coconut Development Board (CDB) celebrated World Coconut Day by unveiling its newly revised schemes and honoring industry leaders with the prestigious Export Excellence Awards at a special ceremony held at the Adlux Convention Centre, Angamaly, Kerala.

Shri M.K. Raghavan, MP and CDB Board Member, emphasized the urgent need for product diversification and value addition in the coconut sector. He noted that while Kerala once led the nation in coconut cultivation, production, and productivity, the state must make concerted efforts to regain its leadership position. He called upon farmers to take advantage of the Government’s enhanced financial assistance under various CDB schemes to boost production and improve quality.

Dr. Prabhat Kumar, CEO of CDB, highlighted the importance of sustainability and profitability in coconut farming. Announcing major revisions to cost norms, he stated that the subsidy for the Area Expansion Programme has been increased from ₹6,500 to ₹56,000 per hectare, while the subsidy for seedling production has been enhanced from ₹8 to ₹45 per seedling. He urged stakeholders to collaborate across production, processing, marketing, and exports to ensure integrated sectoral growth.

Shri Suba Nagarajan, Chairman of CDB, reiterated the Board’s commitment to creating a climate-resilient coconut economy. With an increased budget allocation, the revised schemes focus on value addition, skill development, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for millions of farmers and workers engaged in coconut cultivation and processing.

Export Excellence Awards 2025
The event also marked the presentation of the Export Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding contributions to the coconut industry:

• Best Coconut Shell-Based Product Exporter: Gold – United Carbon Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Tirupur, TN; Silver – Nova Carbons India Pvt. Ltd., Tirunelveli; Bronze – Jacobi Carbons India Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore

• Best Coconut Kernel-Based Product Exporter: Gold – Marico Ltd., Mumbai; Silver – Mezhukkattil Mills, Aluva, Kerala; Bronze – Fair Exports India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai

• Best Coconut Water-Based Product Exporter: Gold – Sakthi Coco Products, Pollachi, TN

• Best Women Exporter: Carbure Activated Carbon Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore

• Best Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Exporter: Global Coconut Farmers Producer Company Ltd., Tirupur

Publication Releases
The event also saw the release of several key CDB publications:

• Improved Coconut Cultivation Technologies – released by Shri M.K. Raghavan

• CDB Schemes Booklet (English) – released by Dr. Prabhat Kumar

• CDB Schemes Booklet (Hindi) – released by Shri Suba Nagarajan

• Guidelines on Revised CDB Schemes – released by Dr. B. Hanumanthe Gowda, CCDO

The revised initiatives by the Coconut Development Board aim to accelerate sectoral transformation, encourage innovation, and ensure sustainable income generation for coconut farmers across India.