The board was on the lookout for a research organisation like an IIT or an engineering college to undertake such a study. This was in view of a feeling among some that coconut oil would damage the engine.

As part of the technology mission for coconut, announced by the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee during his visit to the State in December, the board would take up several projects like increase in productivity, product diversifaction and pest control. This was in the backdrop of the falling heavy fall in coconut and oil prices over the last few months. It was necessary that there had to be product diversification, Mr Rethinam said. Value addition and biproduct utilisation were equally important, Mr Rethinam added.

Coconut productivity was very low in the State compared to other States. While the yield per hectare was 11,000 nuts in Tamil Nadu and 9,200 in Andhra Pradesh, it was only 6,180 in Kerala. And Kerala with a total corp area of 57 per cent produced only 46 per cent of the nuts.

In the wake of falling prices, the board could not intervene, Mr Rethinam said adding that it did not have the mandate for marketing products but could involve itself only in promotional activities.

The board had launched several schemes for extending financial aid to ryot's associations and co-operatives for coconut seed gardens, nurseries, demonstration plots and organic manure units in the four southern States. February 28 was the last date for receiving applications for these schemes.