Exports of coconut and its allied products is likely to touch Rs 1,000 crore in two to three years due to rising overseas demand, a senior Coconut Development Board (CDB) said on Friday.
CDB official said the coconut exports would be crossing Rs 600 crore during current fiscal. The exports grew by 34% to Rs 442 crore during 2009-10.
In order to make coconut industry globally competitive, the agriculture ministry is planning a scheme to train farmers to use new techniques for increasing production.
Minister of state for agriculture KV Thomas, said prevalence of pest and diseases, low productivity, scarcity of labourers and uncertainty of price are severely affecting the crop.
The country exports different coconut products to more than 80 countries worldwide while there is a separate board for handling country?s coir exports.
India is one of the major coconut producing countries in the world with a share of 15.65% in area and 24.14% in production. Mostly small farmers are involved in the coconut production while Kerala?s shares 43% of area and 38% of production, which is the largest contribution among the producing states.