The farmers Training Centre
and Regional Office building will strengthen the coconut cultivation and
industry in the State: Shri Singh
37th Foundation day of Coconut Development Board.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that
Central Government is bound to promote the coconut cultivation and related
activities in Bihar. Shri Singh told that since 2014 a total amount of Rs
409.06 lakhs has been sanctioned for implementing the schemes on Coconut
cultivation in Bihar. Union agriculture Minister said this on the occasion of
Foundation Stone laying ceremony of Farmers Training Centre and Regional Office
building at Patna on the 37th Foundation day of Coconut Development Board.
Coconut Development Board was established on 12 January 1981.
Union Agriculture Minister told
that Regional Office of the Coconut Development Board was shifted to Guwahati,
Assam from Patna, Bihar on the basis of recommendations of a committee
constituted under the chairmanship of ICAR in 2009. A central team was
constituted by the Central Government focussing on the productivity of coconut
in Bihar. This team has recommended to open a new and fourth Regional Office of
the Board at Patna in place of State Centre Patna which was agreed upon by the
Coconut Development Board in its 119th Board meeting held on 30.01.2015.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh also said
that India is the global leader in production and productivity of coconut.
Coconut is cultivated in 16 states and three union territories in an extent of
2.14 million ha. The crop sustains more than one crore farmer families of the
country through cultivation, processing, marketing and trade related
activities. In Bihar, Coconut is grown in 14,900 hectares producing 141.38
million nuts.
Shri Singh said that Kosi region in
North Bihar which comprises places on either sides of the Kosi river is
suitable for coconut cultivation. It is estimated that nearly 50,000 hectares
of potential area in Bihar is available for coconut cultivation, mainly in
North Bihar under irrigated condition. Union Agriculture Minister said that CDB
aims to equip the coconut farmers in production, processing, marketing and
export of coconut and its value added products thus making India the world
leader in production, productivity, processing for value addition and export of
coconut. Bihar belongs to nontraditional coconut cultivated area and special
focus is being given for development of coconut sector in the state.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh further said
that Establishment of a Farmers Training Centre, attached to the Regional
Office, Patna has also been initiated. The Farmers Training Centre is expected
to impart skills to farmers. The centre will strengthen coconut cultivation and
industry in the state.
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