Coconut Research Centre to come up in East Godavari

Kakinada: Agriculture Minister K Kanna Babu assured that special focus would be laid on coconut crop including rejuvenation of existing plants to improve the income source of coconut farmers in the state.

This is besides establishing Coconut Research Institute [CRI] in East Godavari with assistance of Central Plantation Crop Research Institute [CPCRI]. Participating in the International Coconut Day organised here on Monday at his camp office, the minister said that to rejuvenate coconut farms, a special scheme would be taken up large scale in the state. He said coconut plantations in Godavari districts were providing regular income to farming community.

Responding on low-yield in crop due to pest affects, he said to overcome this problem, the government launched rejuvenation programme. The minister said coconut farmers would be provided Rs 2.73 lakh in a three-year period for hectare covering both wage and material component under NREGS.

He also said that under YSR Rythu Bharosa, insurance will be covered for coconut farmers also. For this 75 per cent premium will be paid by Coconut Board and State government jointly, he added.