After becoming the major producer of cotton and groundnut in India, Gujarat is all set to step into becoming one of the key coconut producing states as well. The yield per hectare of Gujarat is far better than Kerala, the leading coconut producing state in the country.
Followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu holds the second and the third place in the list of top coconut producing states. However, as per the Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Gujarat government, the state can utilize its 1600 km coastline for cultivating the coconuts in the coming years.
Despite the fact that the coconut productivity in Gujarat dipped from 16,000 nuts a hectare in 2011-12 to 9,300 a hectare, the productivity figures are still way better than Kerala where the productivity of coconut is close to 7500 nuts a hectare.
The reason for the dip in Gujarat’s productivity is due to the storms that occurred in 2013 and the state is still recovering from the coconut trees loss. However, CBD also thinks that there is the possibility that Gujarat can increase the area under coconut from the current 31,000 hectares to 40,000 hectares in the coming two to three years.
Additionally, plans of opening an office in the state to promote the coconut farming is also a point for consideration by the CBD. As Gujarat holds the longest coastal line, there is a huge potential for coconut farming in the state.
Apart from having logistical advantages to reach the North Indian markets, particularly Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, the weather conditions across the state is also favorable for coconut farming.
The state can also emerge as a coconut supplier to the north though the only factor that can deter the production is the insufficient water resources.
Image Credit: RLTgo
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