Chennai

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said the Coconut Development Board has written to state governments suggesting that coconut oil be included in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to support coconut farmers and promote healthier cooking options.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with coconut growers and industry stakeholders in Chennai, Chouhan said replacing other edible oils with coconut oil in the PDS could create a stable market for farmers while also offering a nutritious alternative to consumers.

“Providing coconut oil through the PDS instead of other oils would benefit farmers by ensuring better demand and prices,” the minister said, adding that the proposal has already been communicated to state governments and will be discussed further with them.

Chouhan also said the Centre is in the final stages of preparing a dedicated Coconut Promotion Scheme to address long-standing concerns of coconut cultivators. The scheme, initially announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget, is being finalised after consultations with farmers from major coconut-producing states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The minister noted that a major challenge facing the sector is the ageing of coconut plantations, with many trees now over 60 years old. This has reduced productivity and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases. He said the upcoming scheme would encourage the adoption of high-yielding and climate-resilient coconut varieties capable of resisting pests such as white fly and diseases like root wilt.

Chouhan emphasised the need to rely on biological methods rather than chemical treatments for pest and disease management, saying bio-control techniques help maintain export quality and fetch better prices in international markets.

Highlighting the economic potential of coconut cultivation, he urged farmers to adopt a zero-waste approach to the crop, often referred to as “Kalpavriksha” because every part of the tree can be utilised.

He also encouraged growers to diversify their incomes through integrated farming practices. According to him, farmers can make use of the space between coconut trees for intercropping with crops such as cocoa and pepper, while also combining cultivation with livestock rearing or fisheries.

To strengthen the sector further, the government plans to encourage mechanisation and promote the formation of farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), which can help reduce costs and improve value addition.

During the interaction, the minister also discussed other crops grown in the region, including cashew, coffee, cocoa and sandalwood. He expressed concern over the declining area under sandalwood cultivation in Tamil Nadu and said the Centre would work to improve productivity and address disease-related challenges beginning this year.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Chouhan also raised issues related to the implementation of central welfare schemes in the state. He said around two lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for 2024–25 are yet to be sanctioned in Tamil Nadu and noted that a nationwide housing survey conducted in 2024 has not been carried out in the state.

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He also urged the state government to address nearly three lakh complaints related to the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), stressing the need to ensure that funds under the scheme are utilised effectively.