परंपरागत रूप से नारियल की खेती खाद्य तेल के लिए की जाती थी। विविध औद्योगिक प्रयोगों में घटक के रूप में भी यह काम आता था। आहार रीति में हुए परिवर्तन और खाद्य एवं औद्योगिक दोनों क्षेत्रों में अन्य सस्ते खाद्य तेलों की उपलब्धता से इन क्षेत्रों में नारियल तेल के उपयोग में भारी गिरावट हुई। गत कुछ वर्षों से सस्ते वानस्पतिक तेलों के विशेषकर पामोलिन के भारी मात्रा में आयात से,व्यापक मूल्य समर्थन कार्यों के बावजूद भी नारियल तेल के भाव में भारी गिरावट हुई। मूल्य समर्थन योजना से भाव में अधिक वृद्धि भी नहीं हुई तथा किसानों को, जैसा समझा था,लाभकर भी नहीं रहा। इस संदर्भ में यह महसूस हुआ कि नारियल उत्पादों के विविधीकरण और मूल्य वर्धन से ही नारियल किसानों को अच्छी आय प्राप्त हो सकती है। नारियल फसल कई घातक कीट-पीड़कों और मारक रोगों जैसे जडमुर्झा, गैनोडेर्मा मुर्झा, तंजावुर मुर्झा और तटिपका आदि से ग्रस्त होती हैं। यह महसूस किया गया कि नारियल की उत्पादकता सुधारने के लिए नारियल के घातक कीटपीड़कों एवं रोगों पर नियंत्रण पाना है और इसके लिए आवश्यक कदम उठाने चाहिए। यही नहीं, नारियल उत्पादों से बेहतर मूल्य प्राप्त करने हेतु उत्पाद विविधीकरण को बढ़ावा देना है। यह लघु एवं सीमांत कृषकों को बेहतर आमदनी प्राप्त होने में सहायक होगा जो अपनी जीविका चलाने के लिए नारियल पर निर्भर करते हैं।
इस संदर्भ में नारियल उत्पादकों के हितों की सुरक्षा के लिए प्रधान मंत्री ने नारियल प्रौद्योगिकी मिशन शुरू करने की घोषणा की। इस मिशन को चाहिए कि मौजूदा कार्यक्रमों के बीच तालमेल बनाएँ, समस्याओं का निदान करें और मिशन रीति से, उचित कार्यक्रमों द्वारा कमियों को सुधारें। ऐसी उचित, पर्याप्त, सामयिक एवं सहयोगात्मक कार्यप्रणाली की ज़रूरत है जो नारियल खेती को प्रतियोगिताक्षम बनाएँ तथा कृषकों को उचित आय सुनिश्चित करने में सहायक हो।
TMOC Updates
SIBB-R&D keen to associate with CDB
SCMS Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research & Development (SIBB-R&D), Kalamassery, Cochin has shown keen interest to be associated with the Coconut Development Board for development of coconut based products utilizing their existing infrastructure and technical competence. High quality research in biotechnology & bioscience for the promotion of Biotech Industry at National and International level are being undertaken by the Institute. Dr.C.Mohankumar, Director, Dr.Balachandran, consultant and scientists from the Institute had a preliminary discussion with Shri.T.K. Jose IAS, Chairman and other senior officials of the Board on 17.10.2011 in this regard. SIBB would be submitting projects for development of value added coconut products shortly to CDB for assistance under Technology Mission on Coconut (TMOC) programme of CDB.
Applications invited for setting up / modernizing / expanding coconut processing units
Applications are invited from prospective entrepreneurs for setting up /modernizing / expanding coconut processing units under Technology Mission on Coconut. Financial assistance @ 25% of the project cost limited to a maximum of Rs.50 lakhs is extended as credit linked back ended subsidy for setting up of coconut processing units for production of value added coconut products. Modernization and expansion of existing processing units will also be eligible for assistance. The detailed project for seeking assistance for setting up coconut processing unit should be submitted through the Financial Institution, willing to sanction a minimum of 40% of the project cost as term loan for Private entrepreneurs and 25% term loan for Co-operative societies.
Packed tender nut water, coconut water based vinegar, Desiccated coconut powder, defatted coconut powder, coconut cream, coconut milk powder, Packed and Branded coconut oil with Agmark standards, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), Coconut chips, coconut jaggery, snow ball tender coconut, shell powder, shell charcoal, activated carbon, shell/wood based handicrafts, coconut wood processing units, copra dryer, integrated processing units etc. and such other new and innovative coconut based products, which are backed by commercially viable technologies will be considered for granting financial assistance.
Financial assistance is also provided to manufacturers for market promotion of coconut products through brand publicity through electronic media including website, print Media, Parlours, Kiosks, Warehouse, undertaking activities like buyer-seller meet, exchange of delegations, Participation of Exhibitions/Fairs/ Melas, printing of Leaflets, Pamphlets, Brochures, Posters, display of coconut products at Air Ports/Railway Stations and erection of hoardings etc. on the basis of approved proposals . The financial assistance is 50% of the project cost limited to Rs.10 lakhs for individuals and Rs.25 lakhs to co-operative organisations on reimbursement basis.
Entrepreneurs requiring external expertise for preparation of project reports may contact the Board’s empanelled consultants,
M/s. GSPU and Associates, Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram, (Phone 0471-2723427, 09349336982),
Shri. Job K.T, Assistant Professor, Centre for management Development, Thycaud, Thiruvananathapuram (Phone: 91471-2320101),
Shri. V.Venkitachalam, Project Consultant, Panampally Nagr, Cochin (Phone: 0484 -2319841, 9446087841),
M/s. Datamation Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Hasanpur, New Delhi (Phone: 91-11-43038800, 43038802),
Dr. P.M.Mathew, Director, Institute of Small Enterprises and Development, Cochin (Phone: 0484 -2809884, 2808171) and
M/s. Solutions and Services in Management and Development (SSMD), Manorama Junction, Kochi (Tel/Fax -0484 – 2318383).
The project proposals completed in all respects may be sent to the Chairman, Coconut Development Board, Kerabhavan, Kochi 682 011.
Virgin coconut oil and dietary fibre technology for transfer
The Coconut Development Board and Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore have developed a technology for production of Virgin Coconut Oil and Dietary Fibre. Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh coconut meat by wet milling process (cold processing). Coconut milk is fermented and then by mechanical process, water is separated from oil. No heating or application of sunlight or dryer is done for the process. The virgin coconut oil is free from trans fatty acid, high in medium chain fats (MCFA) known as lauric acid, which is identical to special group of fats found human breast milk and also rich in vitamin-E. The technology will be transferred to entrepreneurs having a sound financial background and experience in production and marketing. Interested entrepreneurs may apply to the Board in the prescribed application form which is downloadable from the link given below. The selected entrepreneurs will be required to pay a technology transfer fee of Rs.50,000. The Board reserves the right to reject all or any of the applications received.