: Coconut farmers say “it is too little” referring to the provision of Rs. 25 crore in the Budget for 2016-17 for raw coconut procurement by the Kerala Kerakarshaka Cooperative Federation (Kerafed).
The money will be just enough to procure less than half-a-per cent of the roughly 600 crore nuts produced in the State a year, said a farmer. He said at least Rs. 100 crore should have been set aside for the purpose.
Coconut farmers have compared the provision with the one for rubber farmers. The government has promised Rs. 500 crore to support rubber farmers, numbering roughly 8.5 lakh. There are around four million coconut farmers in the State. However, the farmers welcomed the price of Rs. 25 a kg being offered by the government agency. It is remunerative and a good scheme. The scheme has to have more reach for it to be more effective.
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According to sources, Kerafed has procured a total of 85,000 tonnes of raw coconut since the scheme was launched. During the current financial year, the procurement quantity stands at 37,000 tonnes. Raw coconut procurement hit a rough patch during the current year with the government not releasing the Budget provision of Rs. 20 crore for the current financial year. However, procurement is expected to re-start with the State Cabinet deciding to sanction Rs. 10 crore early this week.