MARGAO, Feb. 20 -- Even as Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardessai disclosed that tender coconut would be marketed in the tourism sector, the Coconut Development Board Kochi agreed to provide 10,000 saplings of a hybrid variety of coconut to be cultivated in Goa.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the seminar on Coconut, Sardessai said coconut which is called Kalpvraksh because of its immense benefits said its cultivation has to be promoted so that tender coconut water could be the drink for tourists visiting Goa.
He said it was lamentable that although around 25,800 hectares in Goa are under coconut plantation the yield is only 5000 to 5500 per hectare when scientific management of the plant can yield 40,000 coconuts per hectare.
"The h...