Hans News Service Rajamahendravaram

PrincipalSecretary (Food Processing) Chiranjeevi Chowdary said that coconut farmers’ incomes could increase by 15 to 20% through value addition instead of selling raw produce alone. He stressed that products such as desiccated coconut powder, flakes, snacks, coconut milk, tender coconut water, coconut jaggery, coconut sugar, activated charcoal and bio-products offer significant business opportunities.

Emphasising the need to strengthen coconut-based value addition and micro enterprises, the AP Food Processing Society, in association with the Coconut Development Board and the Coir Board, organised a one day State-level seminar on coconut cultivation, productivity enhancement, and the promotion of coconut based industries at Manjeera Convention Hall here on Thursday.

Chiranjeevi Chowdary inaugurated the seminar by lighting the ceremonial lamp along with AP Food Processing Society CEO Dr Shekhar Babu Geddam and Coconut Development Board Deputy Director Dr Manjunadha Reddy. Addressing the gathering, Chowdary said agriculture and allied sectors contribute nearly 35% to the State’s Gross Domestic Product. AP ranks fourth in the country in coconut cultivation and production while securing the top position in productivity. More than one lakh hectares are under coconut cultivation in the State, producing nearly 175 crore coconuts annually.

He said the State government aims to facilitate the establishment of 100 to 125 coconut based micro enterprises during the current financial year. Interested entrepreneurs will receive subsidies, technical assistance and training under the PMFME, MIDH convergence and Coconut Development Board schemes.

He encouraged youth to take up agri-business and agri-tech ventures, stating that sustainable earnings of Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 a month are possible through rural enterprises.