AMN/ WEB DESK
Today is World Coconut Day. It is being celebrated under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Coconut Community from 2009 onwards to focus attention and awareness about this plantation crop.
In India, Kerala tops the production in coconut, but Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also picking up in this sector. In Tamil Nadu, the annual production is around two crore 17 lakh nuts and the productivity is being further increased by such initiatives like the Integrated Coconut Plantation Scheme.
The National Coconut Board is also overseeing the production and development of value-added varieties from coconut like soft drinks, chips and jams.Handicrafts based on coconut shell and wood are also being given further encouragement.