: The Coconut Development Board (CDB), which is implementing various schemes for integrated development of coconut cultivation and coconut industry in the country, is seeking out entrepreneurs to engage in coconut-based industries.
Entrepreneurs can avail themselves of financial support to set up units to produce desiccated coconut, virgin coconut oil, spray-dried coconut milk, flavoured coconut juice, tender coconut water, coconut lassi, coconut chips, coconut chunks, vinegar, activated carbon, shell powder and shell charcoal. The Board said coconut producer companies or producer federations may submit projects to establish units under various schemes. Prospective entrepreneurs may contact technology section of the Board for more details.
The Board (CDB) had, in its 48th meeting of the Project Approval Committee on Technology Mission in the middle of June, had approved 18 projects with a total outlay of Rs. 12.76 crore and financial assistance of Rs. 2.75 crore with annual processing capacity of 493 lakh nuts and 3,300 tonnes of production of shell charcoal.
New officer
Meanwhile, the Board has announced that G.R. Singh assumed charge as chief coconut development officer. He was formerly the director for the market development and information centre of the Board in New Delhi. He is a postgraduate in agriculture and subsequently took a doctoral degree on Globalization of Coconut Industries and Coconut Farmers in North East Region and its evaluation from the Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand.
He joined the CDB in 1985 and has served at various offices in Assam, Karnataka, Bihar and Maharashtra.
