The first-ever Northeast Buyer Seller Meet on Coconut was held in Guwahati with the theme ‘Coconut Prospects for Productivity and Profitability’ on Friday.
The seminar-cum-meet was organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Coconut Development Board (CCB).
CCB director Obed L in his Keynote speech said coconuts from India fetch one of the highest prices compared to other commodities in the international markets.
“But there are no regulated market and processing plants as of now in the northeast and Assam is the lead coconut producer in the region,” the director said.
Obed L further informed that coconuts from Assam are exported to Bhutan, Nepal, and Bihar and to entire Northeast.
“Total value of coconut produced in the region is around Rs 3o crores,” Obed added.
He also called for setting up a marketing centre in Guwahati where coconut can be marketed centrally in an organised manner.
Assistant director of horticulture department Abdul Jalil highlighted the initiatives taken by the department in collaboration with CDB in last two years.
“So far Rs 4 crores has been utilized for the development of nursery, sapling distribution and training of farmers,” Jalil said.
Binod Kumar Yadav of Indian Institute of Food Processing highlighted on the various value-added products, especially on nutraceuticals which can be produced from coconut.
“The coconut water which is a very popular drink in the region can be preserved and can be marketed with higher shelf life,” Yadav added.
“Various products like vinegar, Vitamin B12 etc. also can be extracted from coconut with the help of right technology,” Yadav said.
He offered all the support in terms of transfer of technology which can be utilized in making value-added products from coconut.
Director of the horticulture department PK Mahanta elaborated on various initiatives taken by the Assam government in coconut production.
“Assam produces around 10 lakh coconuts every year with every tree producing around 60 nuts per annum,” Mahanta said.
“The production of nuts per tree in other parts of the country is around 75 nuts per annum,” Mahanta reiterated.
The main objective of the meet was to introduce the various value-added products to the people of Northeast.