India’s Coconut Sector- From the Tree of Life to Global Prominence

Coconut: A Livelihood and Cultural Asset

Revered as the “Kalpavriksha,” the tree providing all necessities of life, the coconut is rooted in India’s heritage, culture, and agrarian economy. Celebrated across civilizations as a tree of a thousand uses, the coconut’s enduring symbolism is rooted in its remarkable versatility. It provides food, drink, medicine, fibre, timber, fuel, and a diverse range of raw materials. These resources sustain households, traditional practices, and a growing ecosystem of value-added industries.

In India, coconut cultivation has a well-documented history spanning nearly three millennia and remains a critical driver of rural employment and economic resilience. About 30 million people, including 10 million farmers, depend on the coconut sector, making it vital to rural livelihoods. Predominantly cultivated by small and marginal farmers, coconut aligns closely with inclusive growth and the strengthening of farm-based economies. One such example of its growing significance can be seen in Chhattisgarh, where farmers have begun adopting coconut cultivation as a viable livelihood option.

India in the Global Coconut Economy

India holds a prominent place in the global coconut economy. The country ranks first in production and third in cultivation area, accounting for 31.24 percent and 17.90 percent of global totals, respectively. According to the DA&FW statistics, India produced about 20,301.22 million nuts of coconut during 2024-25 from 2.19 million hectares. Average productivity stood at 9,249 nuts per hectare.

Within the country, Keralam has the largest area under coconut cultivation, covering nearly 7.54 lakh hectares and producing about 5,149.87 million nuts. Tamil Nadu leads coconut production, while Andhra Pradesh records the highest productivity, followed by West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Beyond primary production, the coconut sector has emerged as an important contributor to agricultural exports, supporting India’s export ambitions. The Government aims to achieve USD 2 trillion in exports by 2030 and USD 21 trillion by 2047.

Supporting these export ambitions, India’s coconut exports have recorded sustained growth in recent years. Coconut product exports reached ₹7,038.35 crore (USD 794.70 million) in 2025-26. This marked a 62 percent increase over ₹4,349.03 crore recorded in the previous year. This underscores the growing global demand for coconut products from India. The growth also highlights the significant progress made since 2001-02, when exports were only ₹25.3 crore. During that period, exports were largely restricted to traditional products such as coconut shell charcoal, coconut oil, coconut, desiccated coconut, etc.

Over time, India’s coconut export basket has evolved from traditional commodities to a diversified range of value-added products. The sector now caters to global demand for virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut water. It also supplies other application-oriented products, strengthening India’s competitiveness in international markets. Market outreach has expanded beyond the Middle East, once the primary destination. Exports now reach markets across Europe, the Americas, and Australia.

Over the past five years, the USA, UAE, Sri Lanka, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Belgium, UK, and Netherlands have emerged as major trading partners. Key export products include activated carbon, coconut oil, fresh/frozen/grated coconut, copra, and desiccated coconut. Among these, activated carbon has consistently dominated export volumes.

Institutional Backbone: Role of Coconut Development Board

The Coconut Development Board (CDB), established on 12 January 1981, functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It oversees the integrated development of coconut cultivation and industry in India. Headquartered in Kochi, the board has been at the forefront of uplifting and transforming the sector across 22 States/UTs. Its key thrust areas include:

• Increasing the production of quality planting material
• expanding the area under coconut
• improving productivity in existing coconut holdings
• managing major pests and diseases, and
• promoting product diversification and by-product utilization.

During 2025-26, ₹147.21 crore have been released for the implementation of activities under CDB.

Government Support Measures for the Coconut Sector

The Government has adopted a multi-pronged policy approach for the coconut sector. The approach integrates minimum support price for copra, targeted development schemes, and focused initiatives for skill development and enterprise creation across the value chain.

MSP for Copra 2025-26: Ensuring Remunerative Returns

Copra, the dried kernel of coconut, is among the 22 mandated agricultural crops covered under the Minimum Support Price regime. India primarily produces two types of copra: milling copra and ball copra. Milling copra is primarily used for oil extraction and involves drying the coconut kernel after it is removed from the shell. Ball (edible) copra is consumed as a dry fruit and for religious purposes. It is prepared by drying whole mature coconuts until the kernel hardens inside the shell.

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) are the Central Nodal Agencies for copra procurement. In addition, State-level agencies are suitably engaged to support procurement operations.

For the 2026 season, the Union Cabinet has approved an enhanced MSP for copra to ensure remunerative prices for coconut growers. The MSP for milling copra is fixed at ₹12,027 per quintal, while ball copra is fixed at ₹12,500 per quintal. This marks a rise of ₹445 per quintal for milling copra and ₹400 per quintal for ball copra over 2025 MSP.

A higher MSP ensures more remunerative returns for coconut growers. It incentivizes farmers to increase copra production to meet the rising domestic and global demand for coconut products.

Key Initiatives for Coconut Cultivation and Productivity

The Government, primarily through the Coconut Development Board, implements a range of schemes to strengthen the coconut ecosystem. These improve access to quality planting material, expand cultivation, enhance productivity, promote technology adoption, and support market development.

The scheme strengthens the coconut value chain at the foundation stage by ensuring the availability of quality planting material. Key interventions under the scheme include establishing seed production farms, seed gardens, and nurseries, as well as quality certification systems.

Under the scheme, the Coconut Development Board (CDB) undertakes the establishment of new Demonstration cum Seed Production Farms (DSPFs) in various States. The DSPFs demonstrate scientific coconut cultivation practices and commercially produce quality coconut planting materials.

The financial assistance under the scheme is structured as follows:

• Establishment of new DSPFs: For newly established farms, ₹30 lakh is allocated from the budget for the first two years.
• Maintenance of existing DSPFs: From the third year onwards, financial assistance of up to₹1.00 lakh per hectare per year is provided for farm maintenance. This support continues until yield stabilization (15–20 years).

During 2025-26, the Board produced 2.41 lakh quality coconut seedlings in 11 DSPFs established across the country.

The programme focuses on providing financial and incentive-based subsidies, along with technical support, for scientific coconut cultivation in suitable new areas. It also stabilizes existing coconut-growing areas, enhancing overall coconut production.

Under the scheme, financial assistance of ₹56,000 per hectare is provided for planting coconut seedlings in new areas. The financial assistance is released in two equal annual instalments. The subsidy is available for a maximum area of 2 hectares and a minimum area of 0.08 hectares (20 cents) per beneficiary.

The scheme seeks to improve the production and productivity of coconut holdings through integrated farming practices, including coconut-based cropping systems.

Productivity Improvement Through Coconut-Based Cropping System (PICCS)is a major component under this comprehensive programme. It is implemented on a cluster basis through the Departments of Agriculture/Horticulture of the concerned State Governments, as well as directly by the Coconut Development Board. Subsidy is provided at 100 percent of the cost, amounting to ₹42,000 per hectare, limited to 2 hectares per beneficiary. It is released in two equal annual instalments.

Other than PICCS, the scheme includes the following other components as well:

• Water Resource Creation: Supports the development of community tanks, farm ponds, and reservoirs to provide irrigation facilities in coconut gardens.
• Organic Farming Promotion: Helps farmers adopt organic practices through support for production, certification, processing, and marketing.
• Farm Mechanisation: Promotes the use of agricultural machinery through training, demonstrations. Provides financial assistance for equipment purchase, post-harvest and processing technologies.

The scheme aims to enhance coconut production and productivity by replacing disease-affected, unproductive, old, and senile palms with quality seedlings. It also focuses on rejuvenating the remaining palms through an integrated package of practices. The scheme is implemented on a project-by-project basis, addressing state-specific problems. Assistance up to ₹54,000 per hectare is provided over two years.

Complementary Initiatives Strengthening the Coconut Ecosystem

Apart from major interventions, the Coconut Development Board (CDB) implements several complementary schemes to strengthen the coconut value chain:

• Technology Demonstration/ Quality Testing Lab: Provides technology demonstration, quality testing, training, incubation, and consultancy services for coconut-based enterprises and value-added products.
• Market Intelligence, Research, and Export Promotion: Facilitates market development, product promotion, quality improvement, and expansion of domestic and international markets for coconut products.

• Coconut Development Board is the Export Promotion Council for all coconut products other than those from husk and fibre. The Board extends registration to coconut product exporters and has extended registration to 8,299 exporters’ up to 2025-26 and 8,700 up to 31^st July 2026. Export turn over from coconut-based products has enhanced from ₹3,236.83 to 7,038.35 crores during last 5 years (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• The Board facilitates participation of entrepreneurs in domestic and international Trade Fairs. In last 5 years Board has facilitated 72 entrepreneurs in 20 Domestic Trade Fairs and also 224 exporters in International Trade Fairs.
• The Board collaborates with major industry players in facilitating participation in Buyer Seller Meets (BSM) by entrepreneurs. Board facilitated 392 Domestic BSMs for 215 entrepreneurs during last 5 years. This includes Virtual Trade Fair (VTF) organized during 26^th-28^th April 2022 in which 53 coconut product manufactures and 347 buyers participated.  During the VTF, 4 B2B sessions with leading players like Amazon, Flipkart, Lulu India, Lulu Dubai and Nesto group and 371 individual B2B meetings were organized. Board has also facilitated 3 International BSMs for 6 entrepreneurs during last 5 years.
• With an objective to provide orientation to global trade, an International Conference on Trade and Marketing of Coconut Products was organised during 27^th and 28^th February 2023 at Hyderabad on the Theme: Global Coconut Industry- Cruising to the pinnacle with the participation of stakeholders across the globe. With an objective to conclusively establish the medical and health attributes of coconut products, an International Coco Health Conference was organised in collaboration with International Coconut Community (ICC) at Coimbatore from August 19-22, 2025. Also represented in the World Coconut Congress 2025 (WCC) from September 24-26, 2025 at Manila, Philippines.
• The Board organizes seminars and workshops for exporters and entrepreneurs regarding processing technology, packaging, export procedures, foreign trade policies, market development etc in collaboration with various institutions.
• Board is implementing schemes for Assistance for quality certification with an objective to ensure quality of product, sustainability, worker health and welfare, environmental protection etc.
• Board also provides Assistance for brand promotion to support entrepreneurs in brand building of their quality coconut products.  9 units have been supported in last 5 years.
• Board implements Skill Development Training as on-the-job in-house training to unemployed youth attached to coconut processing units with an objective of developing skilled labour and facilitating production of quality processed products from coconut. During last 5 years (2021-22 to 2025-26) skill training has been assisted for 24 batches and thereby 240 participants.
• Establishment of coconut kiosks or retail outlets to promote processed products from coconut and create market awareness and market demand for the products (15 kiosks assisted during last 5 years).

•  Board has also initiated schemes for:

1. Establishment of procurement centres to encourage aggregation of produce and marketing of the same by the farmer collectives in a collective manner resulting in increased bargaining power, reduction of intermediaries and thereby realizing enhanced returns. 2 FPOs have been assisted.
   2. Establishment of primary processing centres for milling copra/ball copra/ minimally processed tender nut with an objective to encourage and empower coconut farmers/entrepreneurs/FPOs/Cooperatives for making good quality produce and ultimately leading.

• Board also provides recommendations on declaration of Minimum Support Price for milling and ball copra for procurement under the Price Support Scheme (PSS), and other policy recommendations on import /export of coconut products etc.
• CDB has been on boarded on the Integrated Regulatory Assessment framework with an objective to ensure product quality in the global market.

• Technology Mission on Coconut (TMOC): Supports development and adoption of technologies for pest and disease management, processing, product diversification, and other technology-driven interventions.
• Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme: Provides accident insurance coverage to coconut tree climbers, Neera Technicians, Hybridization Workers, and coconut labourers engaged in the coconut sector.

Coconut Promotion Scheme: A New Push for the Sector

In order to address pest outbreaks, root wilt disease, and aging plantations, the Coconut Promotion Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. The scheme seeks to enhance coconut production and productivity through targeted interventions, which include:

• large-scale production of quality coconut seedlings,
• expansion of coconut cultivation in potential areas,
• phased replanting, and rejuvenation of old and unproductive coconut gardens,
• adoption of holistic crop health management practices, and
• establishment of integrated coconut processing units to strengthen value addition and exports.

The initiative forms part of a broader ₹350 crore allocation for high-value agriculture, including cashew and cocoa sectors. Through these measures, the scheme aims to strengthen sustainability and resilience in the coconut sector. It also envisions positioning India as a global leader in coconut and coir exports by the 2030s, while improving incomes for coconut farmers.

Skill Development and Enterprise Creation Initiatives

The Coconut Development Board (CDB) implements flagship skill development programmes for the coconut sector. These programmes create a trained, self-reliant, and enterprise-ready workforce across harvesting, processing, and value addition.

For over a decade, the Board has been implementing the Friends of Coconut Tree (FoCT) programme. The programme trains unemployed youth in coconut palm climbing using mechanical climbing devices, plant protection, entrepreneurship, and communication skills. During 2024-2025, 378 palm climbers were trained under programmes conducted across various states of the country.

Additionally, the Coconut Handicraft Training programme equips unemployed youth with aesthetic skills to produce handicraft items using various parts of the coconut plant.

In 2025, CDB transitioned from stand-alone training programmes to organized enterprise development through new initiatives:

Cocomitra (Coconut Climbers Task Force): Organizes trained climbers into registered units of 6-10 members. These groups are equipped with modern climbing devices, plant protection tools, and mobility support to deliver timely services to farmers.

Kera Kaushal Kendra: Seeks to nurture a network of Coconut Handicraft Centres across India specializing in products made from coconut shell, wood, and fibre. The initiative establishes 15-member handicraft production groups registered as legal entities.

Each approved Kera Kaushal Kendra is eligible for financial assistance of ₹2.67 lakh from 2026-27. The assistance is provided for creating common facilities such as tools and equipment, furniture and fixtures, storage shelves and racks, utilities, and contingencies. The initiative also supports marketing activities for handicraft products. The programme promotes coconut-based micro-enterprises, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.

Neera Tapping and Processing Technician Training Programme: Neera, a nutritious zero-percent-alcohol health drink, is the unfermented juice tapped from coconut palm inflorescences. The programme provides structured 7-day field-based training to develop skilled technicians for safe and scientific Neera tapping and processing. The training is conducted through FPOs holding Neera licenses.

During 2025-26, the Board conducted 414 awareness training programmes. The programmes covered CDB schemes, scientific cultivation technology, and coconut value addition.

Coconut Sector at the Crossroads of Tradition and Global Growth

Revered for generations as the “Tree of Life,” the coconut remains deeply woven into India’s cultural and rural landscape. Over time, the sector has expanded far beyond traditional cultivation practices. Strong policy support, farmer collectivization, and skill development initiatives have strengthened the coconut value chain.

Efforts to improve planting material, expand cultivation, and rejuvenate aging plantations are creating new opportunities for farmers. At the same time, rising demand for value-added coconut products is expanding India’s presence in global markets. With sustained institutional support, India’s coconut sector has evolved from a traditional cultural symbol to a globally prominent sector.