Media Release
Kasargod, Sep 02: World coconut day was celebrated on September 2 at ICAR-CPCRI, for which P Prasad, minister for agriculture, Govt of Kerala was the chief guest. Minister appreciated the participants for remembering to celebrate a day for the ‘tree of life’.
A circular economy is most essential for sustainability and also appreciated international community for the theme "Coconut for a circular economy: Building partnership for maximum value", he said.
Minister invited coconut-centred farming to tackle environmental changes with adoption of circular agriculture. He also indicated that among the coconut, badam and soymilks, coconut milk is the superior one. He stresses coconut-based secondary agriculture to benefit entrepreneurial growth. He also invited to find solution to rhinoceros beetle and red palm weevil menace.
Dr S K Singh, DDG (Hort Sci) ICAR New Delhi, presided over the function. DDG emphasized the coconut tree without anything to waste. He urged to tackle climate change with smarter ways of farming. The coconut sector with around 200 products extends round the year employment opportunities, catering the demands for India to lead the world, overcoming the competitions posed by island countries on coconut.
N A Nellikkunnu, hon’ble MLA, Kasaragod said that technologies developed by CPCRI including neera deserve a good presence within Kerala like the other states.
Dr K Balachandra Hebbar, director in his opening remark, highlighted the achievements of CPCRI such as innovative technology and its adoption in fields. He mentioned about release of two coconut varieties, Kalpa Suvarna and Kalpa Vajra and two new identified varieties Kalpa Nakshatra and Kalpa Dhare. He also highlighted trait-linked varieties, mass multiplication protocols, precision farming in coconut-based cropping systems, pest and disease management systems, drone-based spray, forewarning systems, infrastructure development, machinery in technology developed by the institute. He highlighted collaborations for high-level achievements, skill development training by the institute.
The director also handed over Rs 3,66,000 worth cheque to minister P Prasad as a contribution to the Distress Relief Fund for Wayanad from the staff of CPCRI.
Dr Megalingam, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetam felicitated that age old trends need to be replaced with latest methods with AI to revolutionize the sector.
During the programme the successful farmers were honoured by the minister. And they are Sushama PT, Tirur, Malappuram, Kerala, Kondana Chandrashekara Gatty from Karnataka, Senthilkumar, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu.
There were also some other entrepreneurs honoured, they were Nagaraja HR Pro-B, Bangalore, Krishnan Prakodal, Bioplus, EJ Joseph, Gramalakshmi marketing producer company.
Some of the entrepreneurs ready to adopt the new CPCRI technologies exchanged MoUs with the institute include, Kusumadhar SK, SK coconut producer company, Kalpa Suvarna, Kumara Swamy, Shatamangala arecanut variety, Manikantan C, Maharaja Food P and Dr Harikrishnan, Lodhra-coconut chips, Solanky Nanabhai, Kalparasa.
Release of a product, ‘Kalpa Bliz - flavoured coconut mylk’ and a technical bulletin output, outcome and impact; quality seedling of coconut; coconut halwa; intercropping tapioca under coconut, ready reckoner Assamese were released.
Aerated coconut water 'Zila' by an entrepreneur from Uppala, Kasaragod was also unveiled on the occasion.
Dr B Augustine Jerard, PC Palms, highlighted India is a global partner with 23 member countries of ICC and coconut can fulfill 13 out of 17 goals identified by the United Nations for development.
Sharon Nawaz, NABARD, said that this is the best tree for increasing carbon credit.
Jyothikumari, department agriculture, felicitated hoping for good adoption of technologies developed by CPCRI.
In the afternoon a farmer scientist interface session was held to enlighten the farmers and the stakeholders developed by the institute. About 400 participants were present in the celebration.
Welcome speech was by the director and vote of thanks was proposed by Dr K Ponnusamy, HoD of social science.