Chennai, March 9 -- Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday held a post-Budget consultation with coconut growers, scientists and sector stakeholders in Chennai to discuss measures aimed at strengthening the coconut sector and improving farmer incomes.
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said Tamil Nadu is one of the major centres of coconut production in the country. He noted that around 1.25 crore farmers are engaged in coconut cultivation across India, while nearly 3 crore people depend on the sector for their livelihoods.
The minister highlighted key challenges affecting coconut productivity, including ageing plantations, many of which are nearly 60 years old, and pest and disease issues such ...