The programme is implemented by the Board through the Department of Agriculture/ Horticulture of various States/ UT's as the cases may be. Application forms prescribed by the Board are supplied to various implementing offices of the State Government which in turn are distributed to the eligible farmers. The filled in applications submitted by farmers after proper field verification are forwarded to the office of the Board concerned with proper recommendation of the implementing officers for further processing and sanction of subsidy. The Board after scrutiny of the applications, sanctions eligible subsidy and disburse the sum in the form of individual cheques/ demand drafts to the farmers through the same implementing offices.

 Integrated Farming for Productivity Improvement

The objective of the programme is to improve production and productivity of the coconut holdings through an integrated approach and thereby increasing the net income from unit holdings with the following component programmes.

Laying out of demonstration plots

Financial assistance of Rs.35,000 per ha in two annual installments is provided for adoption of integrated management practices in disease affected gardens. The objective of the programme is to encourage the farmers to adopt the technology developed for the management of disease affected coconut gardens. Demonstration plots will also help in motivate farmers in adoption of result oriented production technologies.

Integrated Farming for Productivity Improvement on CLUSTER basis: The objective of the Coconut Clusters is increasing the production and productivity of coconut from unit holdings by proper and timely adoption of package of practices in a farmer participatory mode. This programme will facilitate the adoption of appropriate coconut based farming systems and promote farm level processing for value addition on a community basis. The scheme is being implemented by the Board on cluster basis in a contiguous area of appropriate size of 25-50 ha irrespective of the individual size of the holdings. The selection of the cluster is based on criteria such as demonstration value, easy accessibility, availability of minimum infrastructure facilities for the adoption of average management practices, cohesiveness of the group and most importantly the readiness of the farmers in the cluster to assume responsibility and implement the programme in a farmer participatory mode as per the Board's guidelines.

List of Coconut Clusters and contact addresses

Assistance for organic manure units

To promote the use of organic manure like vermicompost, coir pith compost, ordinary compost and FYM in coconut holdings. Financial assistance of Rs.20000 per unit or 50% of cost of production is provided for setting up of a unit.

 Technology Demonstration

		Maintenance of Pilot Testing Plant and Quality Control laboratories.
		Techno-economic studies on product diversification and byproduct utilization.
		Consultancy service on production, processing and marketing.
		Training programmes on convenience foods.

 Market Promotion & Statistics

		Market information and intelligence service.
		Modernization of coconut processing by introduction of improved copra dryer / other processing machineries / equipment @ 25% of the cost of dryer / equipment or maximum Rs.10,000, whichever is less.

Modern Copra Dryers

In the modern drier coconut cups can be converted into copra in 16-32 hours even during the rainy season. In these driers the heat generated by burning coconut shell and other farm wastes is used to dry raw coconut cups into copra. Since smoke does not come into contact with coconut cups or copra and the process of drying starts immediately after splitting the nuts, the copra produced is of high quality which fetches premium price than the ordinary sun dried or kiln dried copra for which a minimum 8-9 days are required to bring down the moisture to the required level. In the small drier of batch type (natural drought type), coconut husks and other agriculture wastes are used as fuel. Its capacity ranges between 400-3000 nuts per day and it takes 36-48 hours to process coconuts into copra. There are also big dryers of induced drought type with capacity ranging between 10,000 and 25,000 nuts and even beyond, to dry coconuts into copra or dry copra further to bring down the moisture level to the required level. Coconut shells are used as fuel in such dryers.

Now in India waste heat recovery technology is available. In this technology the shell fed as fuel is only carbonized and the heat generated by burning the producer gas from the carbonizer is used to dry coconuts into copra. Besides well dried copra good quality shell charcoal and shell oil are obtained in the process.

Application Form for Grant in Aid for Introduction of Modern Copra Dryer

List of approved Modern Copra Dryer Manufacturers

New Guidelines for Market Promotional Activities under Technology Mission on Coconut

   Surveys and evaluation studies.

 Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme
 

1. Introduction: Coconut cultivation subjected to risks from climatic changes, natural disasters, pests, diseases etc. And at times, entire coconut cultivation of a region, gets wiped out due to natural calamity or onset of pest attack. Coconut is a perennial crop and losses suffered by farmers due to damage of this crop, are material and needs to be addressed. At present, there is no insurance scheme under which coconut cultivation may be covered, since National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) for insurance of cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds and horticultural crops.

Coconut palms are perennial crops, but palm trees are characterized by periodic system of crop setting and outcomes and hence resemble seasonal annual crops and should, accordingly, eligible for insurance cover. Since coconut is cultivated under rain-fed management and is susceptible to biotic and a-biotic stresses, it is necessary to minimize risk faced by coconut farmers, predominantly small and marginal, by covering coconut palms with an insurance scheme.

2. Objectives:

i) Assist coconut growers in insuring coconut palms, against natural and other perils.

ii) Provide timely relief to farmers, who suffer income loss due to sudden death of palms.

iii) Minimize risk and encourage replanting and rejuvenation to make coconut farming remunerative.

3. Applicability: The insurance scheme for insuring coconut cultivation is to be implemented on pilot basis initially and will be applicable to all healthy nut bearing coconut palms; grown as mono or intercropped; on bunds farms or homestead and to all varieties of coconut, including Tall, Dwarf and Hybrids. Since Dwarf and Hybrids begin to yield fruit from 4th year of planting, this variety of coconut palms in age range of 4-60 year will be covered under this scheme, but Tall variety coconut palms will be eligible for coverage for age range of 7-60 year. Unhealthy and senile palms will be excluded from coverage.

4. Eligibility criteria: As per the Scheme, individual farmer / grower offering at least 10 healthy but bearing palms for insurance in specified age group, (4-60 years for dwarf, hybrid and 7-60 years for tall) in contiguous area / plot will be eligible for insurance.

5. Scope of cover: The scheme will cover all healthy palms within insurable age group in areas / districts selected for implementation of the scheme, on pilot basis. Partial insurance of plantation in contiguous area is not allowed. Insurance coverage is from 4th / 7th year to 60th year, and split into two age groups i.e. 4 -15 years and 16 -60 years, for fixing premium and sum insured.

Self declaration of age group by insured farmer / grower in insurance proposal will be acceptable. Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC) may get the insured palms verified for authenticity, at any time before expiry of policy period or payment of claim. Insurance becomes void in event of wrong declaration of age or any material fact by insured, concerning insurance.

Farmers / growers desiring insurance may directly contact representatives / authorized agents of AIC or may contact nearest office of Agriculture / Horticulture Department Premium will be paid by farmer / grower, net off premium subsidy, through cash, cheque / bank draft, drawn in favour of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited.

6. Contingency insured: This insurance policy pays for total loss of palm on account of happening of perils insured leading to death of insured palm or it’s becoming unproductive. In case, death of palms is not immediate, payment of sum insured will be payable on production of certificate from Coconut Development Board (CDB) / Agriculture / Horticulture Department justifying cause for declaring palm unproductive. A palm can be declared ‘ unproductive ‘ only when further growth / rejuvenation of palm is not possible after the same damaged by peril(s) insured, provided palm is removed / felled by insured. In case farmer / grower wishes to retain unproductive palm as it is (with out felling), salvage value of 50% of sum insured will be deducted from claim. In any case, loss of palm will have to be established to, occurrence of peril insured.

7. Risks covered: The scheme covers following perils leading to death / loss of palm of palm becoming unproductive.

i) Storm, hailstorm, cyclone typhoon, tomado, heavy rains.

ii) Flood and inundation.

iii) Pest & diseases of widespread nature causing, irreparable damages to palm.

iv) Accidental fire, including forest fire and bush fire, lightening.

v) Earth quake, landslide & tsunami.

vi) Severe drought and consequential total loss.

8. Exclusions: No claims shall be payable under the scheme, if palm is lost due to operation of peril insured is within ‘ Franchise ‘ clause. Insurer will not be liable for any payment, under this policy, for any expenses incurred by insuree in connection with or in respect of loss other than on account of perils insured. The insurance does not cover following events, in so far as they are applicable, keeping in view scope of insurance cover:

(a) Loss by Theft, War, Invasion, Civil War, Rebellion, Revolution, Insurrection, Mutiny, Lock Out, Malicious Damage, Conspiracy, Military / Usurped Power, Civil Commotion, Confiscation, Requisition / Destruction / Damage by order of any Government de-jure / de-facto / by any public / municipal / local authority including damage due to power transmission.

(b) Nuclear reaction, nuclear radiation or radioactive contamination.

(c) Impact damage due to aircraft or other falling objects.

(d) Willful negligence of insured and any one acting on his behalf.

(e) Damage caused by human, bird or any animal action.

(f) Improper maintenance of palms.

(g) Palm becoming unhealthy & senile.

(h) Natural mortality of the palm, up-rooting of palm traceable to chiseling of roots.

(i) Loss of capital investment like land cost loss or damage to structures supporting insured palm, irrigation system, agricultural equipments or implements.

9. Sum Insured & Premium: Insured sum will vary from Rs.600 per palm (for 4th -15th year age group) to Rs.1150 per palm (for 16th to 60th year age group) Insured sum and premium payable, under Coconut Palm Insurance, under different age groups will be follows:

10. Premium Subsidy: Of amount under para 9 above, 50% will be paid by Coconut Development Board (CDB) and 25% by State Government concerned and balance 25% will be paid by farmer / grower. In case, the State Government does not agrees to bear 25% share of premium, farmers / growers will be required to pay 50% of premium, if interested in insurance scheme. Premium subsidy amount (50% by CDB and 25% by participating States) will be released to AIC in advance based on estimates, which will be replenished / adjusted on quarter / year basis.

11. Insurance Term: During pilot stage of insurance policy, annual policies only will be issued. Effort will be made to ensure that all eligible farmers / growers join the scheme by 31st March of year. However, those farmers / growers who do not join the scheme by 31st March may join the scheme subsequently, and in which case risk is covered from 1st day of succeeding month. During subsequent years, preference will be given to farmers who have already joined the scheme and new farmers can join the scheme subject to number as will be decided by CDB, taking into account available budget provision.

12. Waiting Period: Loss / death of palms, within 30 days from inception of insurance, sum insured is not payable under the scheme but this condition is not applicable in case of renewal of insurance, without time gap.

13. Franchise: The claim is assessed only if number of palms damaged, due to perils insured are in a contiguous area is more than the palms lost as shown for different slabs:

14. Excess: Insured farmers / growers shall be deemed to be their own insurer for first 20% of the assessed loss and only 80% of assessed loss will be payable, under the policy.

15. States & Areas Covered: This pilot insurance scheme will be implemented in selected districts of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa & Tamilnadu. All bearing and healthy palms will be insured, in a contiguous area, by farmer / grower and every effort will be made by CDB, to get all bearing and healthy palms insured, in cluster villages of pilot district(s).

16. Issue of Insurance Policy: Certificate of Insurance / Cover note will be issued by AIC to all individual insured farmers / growers, within 30 days from receipt of proposal, within requisite premium. AIC shall also furnish a consolidated list of insured farmers / growers district-wise to Coconut Development Board (CDB), on quarterly basis.

17. Claim assessment & settlement procedure: Loss of insured palms will be intimated by insured to AIC within seven days from occurrence of peril, with all relevant details. Loss assessment certification is required to be furnished by Coconut Development Board (CDB) / Agriculture / Horticulture Department / State Agriculture University (SAU), as authorized by AIC for each district, justifying cause for loss of palm, within seven days from intimation of loss. AIC, at its discretion may send its representative to assess loss, jointly with agency designated to certify loss. AIC will release claim to insured farmer / grower within one month from date, all relevant certified details of claim are received in their office. Release of claim amount, however, is subject to receiving premium subsidy from both CDB and concerned State.

Insurance ceases to operate once a full claim is paid.

AIC may consider payment of service charge to Agriculture / Horticulture Department or State Agriculture University (SAU), who are involved in certification of losses at rate mutually agreed between concerned agency and AIC.

 Information and Information Technology

		Production of publications in different languages including grant-in-aid to State Government / Universities for production of publications.
		Production and screening of films including grant-in-aid to State Govt./Universities for production of films.
		Participation in exhibitions and fairs.
		Conducting seminars and workshops.
		Awards to best growers, master craftsmen, industrialists, processors and exporters.
		Training youths in harvesting and plant protection.
		Training farmers in scientific cultivation and post harvest processing.
		Training in the manufacture of coconut based handicrafts.
		National award to the best research worker or workers in product / machinery / equipment development.
		Establishment of National Information Centre cum Electronic Data Processing Unit.

 Human Resource Development

		Training to improve technical skills of managerial and supervisory personnel.
		Training and visits to understand and appraise the technologies.

Technology Mission on Coconut

Financial assistance under Technology Mission

Coconut Development Board invites applications for Financial Assistance under Technology Mission on Coconut. Applications are invited from prospective entrepreneurs for setting up /modernizing / expanding coconut processing units and promoting value added coconut based products.

Under Technology Mission on Coconut, financial assistance @ 25% of the project cost limited to a maximum of Rs.50.00 lakhs is extended as credit linked back ended subsidy for setting up of coconut processing units for production of value added coconut products. Modernization and expansion of existing processing units will also be eligible for assistance. The project for seeking assistance for setting up coconut processing unit should be submitted through the bank with a minimum of 40% of the project cost as term loan.

Packed, Branded coconut oil with Agmark standards, Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), dietary fibre, Desiccated coconut powder, Coconut chips, defatted coconut powder, snow ball tender coconut, coconut milk powder, coconut jaggery, coconut cream, activated carbon, coconut water based vinegar, shell charcoal, packed tender nut water, minimally processed tender coconut, shell powder, shell/wood based handicrafts and copra dryer are some of the items which will be considered for assistance. Financial assistance will also be available for new and innovative coconut based products, which are backed by commercially viable technologies.

Financial assistance is provided for market promotion of coconut products through the media, participation in exhibitions / developing / hiring display facilities in super markets, adopting attractive packaging etc. @ 50% of the project cost limiting to Rs.10.00 lakhs for individuals and Rs.25.00 lakhs to co-Operative organisations.

Interested entrepreneurs can submit applications in the prescribed format along with project reports to the Chairman, Coconut Development Board, Kera Bhavan, Kochi 682 011.

:: Technology Mission on Coconut Full Details ::