World Coconut Day was celebrated with pomp here on Wednesday but the farmers in the Godavari districts known for coconut cultivation, especially those in Konaseema region in East Godavari, are in dire straits as they are unable to get remunerative price for their produce. Reason: The multiple broker system prevailing in the State. The coconut changes hands thrice before it reaches the customer.
According to a farmer P. Lakshmipathi Raju from Mamidikuduru in East Godavari, the yield changes hands three times before it enters the market. The agents will first purchase coconuts from the farmer ranging from Rs.8 to Rs.10 and sell to other two agents before the produce reaches the market.
“When we ask agents why they are paying smaller amounts, they claim that they have to bear transportation, labour and other charges by time the product reaches the end customer,” he explained.
“Our counterparts in Kerala are getting Rs.25 a coconut and they are also able to utilise 33 by-products effectively,” another farmer T. Raju from Sakhinetipalli in Konaseema said.
Horticulture Department Deputy Director B. Panduranga said coconuts were being cultivated in 30,000 hectares in East Godavari and 20,000 hectares in West Godavari district.
Areas like Amalapuram, Ainavilli, Sakhinetipalli and Ambajipet in East Godavari district were famous for coconut cultivation. A senior official said Coconut Development Board has initiated formation of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) in a three-tier mode with the concept of aggregating small and marginal farmers into legally registered entities to undertake production, harvesting, processing and marketing of the product in a remunerative manner. Farmers can use this facility, he added.
