Government is making all out efforts to address the difficulties faced by coconut growers across the country. Replying to a Calling Attention motion in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Charan Das Mahant said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is doing a research to tackle the diseases affecting coconut trees.

Sharing the concern of the members on the plight of coconut growers, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Mahant said the government has increased the Minimum Support Price of different types of coconut copra by 12 to 17 per cent over the price of last year.

He said 17 procurement centres have been set up in Tamil Nadu for the procurement copra. The Minister said the Centre is contemplating the export of coconut oil.

Mr. T R Baalu of the DMK, who moved the Motion for the Calling Attention, alleged that the central government policy is not helping the coconut growers.

He suggested that the subsidy given on import of crude palm oil may be extended to coconut oil for its distribution through the Public Distribution System.