Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar visited Coconut Development Board

KOCHI:
Deepak Kesarkar, Minister for Finance, Planning and RD, Government of Maharashtra visited Coconut Development Board, Kochi and held discussions with the officials o
f the Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Directorate of Cashewnut and Cocoa Development (DCCD).
The Minister had discussion on the activities of CDB in the coastal belts of Maharashtra especially in Sindhudurg district where congenial climate is available for coconut plantations. He also discussed about the suitable high value intercrops that can be cultivated in that area. The Minister was accompanied by the officials of the Department of Horticulture, Maharashtra. Dr. T I Mathewkutty, Director, CDB briefed on the activities of CDB and R Jnanadevan, Deputy Director made a presentation on the status of implementation of CDB schemes in Maharashtra. Venkatesh Hubbli, Director, DCCD also took part in the meeting.
The meeting discussed on the possibilities of bringing in more area under coconut in Maharashtra, especially in Sindhudurg district. CDB offered to extend support for the same to the maximum extent possible under the Area Expansion programme of the Board. It was also decided that the state department of Horticulture may avail the financial assistance of DCCD for quality cocoa seedling production.
Coconut based farming system with cocoa as intercrop can be undertaken in the area with financial assistance of DCCD for which suitable proposals may be prepared and submitted by the Department of Horticulture, Government of Maharashtra. The Minister requested the Board to extend technical and financial support for establishing
more coconut based processing units in Sindhudurg district and he called upon for the integrated support of all related agencies for sustainable development of the coconut farming and industry in Maharashtra.