India's Coconut Sector (Economy)
India's Coconut Sector (Economy)
Why In News:
India's dominant global position in coconut production along with export growth and government support schemes for the sector, underpins the livelihood of nearly 30 million people.
Key Facts on Production
Global rank: India ranks 1st globally in coconut production and 3rd in cultivated area.
Global share: India accounts for 31.24% of global coconut production.
Production volume: 2024-25 production stood at 20,301.22 million nuts from 2.19 million hectares.
Livelihood support: The sector supports nearly 30 million people, including about 10 million farmers.
Regional Leaders
Kerala: Has the largest area under coconut cultivation among Indian states.
Tamil Nadu: Leads in overall coconut production.
Andhra Pradesh: Records the highest productivity per hectare among major coconut-growing states.
Exports and Products
Export value: Coconut exports in 2025-26 stood at Rs 7,038 crore, up 62% over the previous year.
Major export products: Coconut oil, copra, activated carbon, and desiccated coconut are the key exported products.
Coconut Development Board (CDB)
About: The Coconut Development Board (CDB) is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Objective: It was established to promote the integrated development of coconut production and utilisation in India, with emphasis on enhancing productivity, improving quality and promoting product diversification.
Establishment: The Board came into existence on 12 January 1981.
Headquarters:Kochi, Kerala.
Regional Offices: The CDB has regional offices at Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Guwahati (Assam), and Patna (Bihar).
Key Facts for Prelims
Nodal ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare oversees coconut sector policy through the Coconut Development Board.
Crop classification: Coconut is a plantation and tropical perennial crop, rather than a food-grain or conventional horticultural fruit crop.
It grows best in warm, humid and frost-free climates, with temperatures generally around 20–32°C, well-distributed rainfall of about 1,500–2,500 mm annually, and well-drained, fertile soils.
It is particularly suited to coastal and tropical regions and is relatively sensitive to prolonged cold and waterlogging.