The Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee, on Sunday, started three coconut procurement centres in Hassan district, but does not have any cold storage units to store them.. The centres were opened in Hassan, Channarayapatna and Gandasi in Arasikere taluk.
The State government had instructed APMCs to open the centres so that the Karnataka State Cooperative Market Federation officer can procure coconuts at a support price of Rs.1,600 per quintal.
But, there is no clarity on how to store the procured coconuts.
“We don’t know where to keep coconuts procured from farmers. We have been told to purchase and keep it in godowns. The fresh coconuts, with no husk, have a short shelf-life. Many coconuts also get broken while handling,” said Rangaswamy, manager of Market Federation.
Fresh coconuts, with no husk, have shelf life of one week maximum.
If they are kept in a freezer, they will last longer. The government has earmarked Rs.1 crore to procure coconuts in the district. Growers of Hassan, Alur, Sakleshpur, Arkalgud and Belur have to bring coconuts to Hassan centre. The centre at Channarayapatna is for growers of Channarayapatna and Holenarasipur taluks. The Gandasi centre is for growers in Arasikere taluk.
All three centres were inaugurated on Sunday, but the actual procurement will begin later this week.
Hassan APMC secretary Lakshme Gowda said, “As per the procedure, only favourable average quality coconuts (FAQ) are procured in the centres. The produces are certified by designated officers deputed by the Horticulture Department.”
A grower can sell a maximum of 30 quintal of coconuts.
They have to bring RTC, an identity card and the crop certificate issued by the competent authorities to sell the produces. The farmers would get the amount transferred to their bank accounts on the day they sell the produces.
