The Hindu Business Line : `Include coconut in horticulture list'

THE United Coconut Growers Association of South India (UCGASI) has sought the State Government's intervention for inclusion of coconut growing in the Horticulture List. (Currently, coconut cultivation is in the Section of Seed of Oil in Tamil Nadu, while every other State has included it in horticulture.)

The UCGASI Chairman Mr T. A. Krishnasamy Gounder, said because of this dissimilarity in classification, coconut growers in Tamil Nadu are not entitled to various subsidies extended by the Union and State Governments to horticulture. "This has to be modified immediately," he said. Mr Gounder alleged that the State Government had locked up a subsidy of Rs 9.5 crore for over three years now.

This sum was received for the protection of coconut trees from Eriophyid mite infestation. "The Government has been holding it, instead of disbursing the same," he said and suggested that this subsidy amount could be given for curbing the spread of Red Palm Weevil, which was destroying the tree completely.

Coconut growers have expressed the need for setting up of the Coconut Board branch office in Pollachi and Thanjavur.

More Stories on : Coconut & Copra | Tamil Nadu

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Kerala plantation workers launch stir

Mixed trend in rubber prices

Mills may gain from zero duty raw sugar imports

Icrisat launches Strategy 2010

Cotton rates ease on hopes of bumper crop

10% cut in tariff values of edible oils likely

Record area under oilseeds

Sesame prices likely to remain firm

`Include coconut in horticulture list'

Pepper continues to dip

Panel meet on Sept 20 to discuss AP farm crisis