In Hindu mythology, the coconut is termed as KalpaBrikshya, because each part of the plant is useful for various purposes.

 

The Coconut Development Board (of India) had organized a national-level convention in Guwahati. Held at NEDFi Convention Centre, Ganeshguri on September 2, 2011, it is understood as recognition of sorts to Assam and the North East to emerge as a coconut producing zone of India.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the function, the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi argued that over 20,350 hectares are under coconut cultivation (around 33,490 hectare in the entire region). “We are seriously thinking about promoting coconut cultivation in Assam and we are hopeful that the successful coconut cultivation can definitely improve the state’s rural economy,” said Mr. Gogoi.

The CDB Chairperson T K Jose also echoed this sentiment by saying, “Assam’s climatic conditions are identified as favourable for coconut cultivation and the state’s annual coconut productivity is over 9,125 nuts per hectare as against the national average (of 8,303 nuts in one hectare). Most of the districts of Assam have exceeded the national average. Understanding Assam’s productivity, which is even higher than Kerala’s, we have decided to expand coconut growing areas in the region.”

It is mentionable here that Kerala accounts for over 40% of the coconut-growing areas in India and presently produces over 7,350 nuts per hectare per annum. The coconut cultivation brings around `1,500 crore per annum through foreign exchanges and contributes around `8,300 crore to the country’s GDP.

Pankaj Das from Hajo in Kamrup district was honoured as one of the best coconut farmers from North East India, where K Balasubramaniyam (Kerala) and K. Chandrashekhar Gatty (Karnataka) received the best coconut farmer awards of the country. With the farmers, many leading coconut scientists from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra and West Bengal were also honoured during the function.

Talking to media persons, Mr. Das who is now 42 years old said that the award is a form of recognition of his hard labour in coconut farming for more than two decades. He hopes that the initiative will encourage many people of Assam to opt for coconut cultivation as a source of livelihood.

Assam agricultural minister Nilomoni Sen Deka and the social welfare minister Akon Bora were also present at the occasion.

EP Desk