India has made unprecedented progress in coconut cultivation in the last four years and now it has become the leading country in coconut production and productivity, claims govt release.
Productivity increased to 11516 fruits per hectare in 2017-18 as compared to 10122 in 2013-14. Between 2014 and 2018, 13,117 hectare was brought under new plantation as compared to 9,561 hectare during 2010-2014.
Owing to an increase in production of coconut, India has been exporting coconut oil to Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka since April 2017. Till March 2017, India was importing coconut oil.
Also, for the first time India has been exporting dry coconut in large quantities to the U.S and European countries. In 2017-18, India exported coconut worth Rs 1602.38 crore while imports stood at Rs 259.70 crore.