There has been some success in identifying the biological agent which can combat this disease. Field trials are now in progress and when they are over, the biological agent will be released by ICAR to combat the menace," he said in an informal chat with newsmen after presiding over the function in which the Rs six crore Regional Plant Quarantine station was inaugurated by Union Forest and Environment Minister TR Baalu, at suburban Meenambakkam.

He said the Coconut Development Board, functioning under the Agriculture Ministry, normally provided funds for such projects for combating diseases. Since the Board was facing some financial problems, the ministry had approached the Planning Commission for funds and it was under the commission' considerations.

Answering a question, Naik said Tamil Nadu government had asked for an assistance of Rs 50 crore to help the coconut farmers affected by the disease and for undertaking chemical and biological control measures.

This request had been passed on to the Planning Commission. "Whatever help is possible will be forthcoming from the Centre', he said.

Naik said the production of foodgrains in the country now stood at 200 million tonnes. The Planning Commission was now evolving a scheme to double the production of foodgrains, cereals, milk, fruits and vegetables in the next 10 years.

"Despite an increase in population, we are now exporting foodgrains to foreign countries. We also have a heavy buffer stock," Naik said.