Matters of raising the productivity and going in for a slew of value-added products were the main topics of discussion at the Cocotech international coconut conference which began here on Monday.
Asia and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) executive director Romulo N. Arancon called upon all countries, especially the developing nations in the region, to make concerted efforts to ensure food security and nutrition.
In the case of coconut, he urged them to raise productivity through a systematic, well-funded replanting programe.
Union minister K.V. Thomas who inaugurated the conference stressed the need for bringing coconut in its varied forms of fresh kernel, milk, milk powder, desiccated coconut etc as part of daily diet.
‘Inclusive Growth and Sustained Development of the Coconut Industry’ is the theme of the conference. Taking place in the country after a gap of 12 years, it has attracted more than 200 delegates from 18 countries.
Arancon said the growth in the sector should ensure that all stakeholders reaped the benefits.
Among those who addressed the inaugural session of the five-day meet were central agriculture secretary Ashish Bahuguna, coconut development board chairman T.K. Jose, Samoa agriculture minister Le Mamea Ropati Maulia, Tamil Nadu agriculture minister S Damodaran and state chief secretary K. Jayakumar.