KOCHI: The former Union Minister O. Rajagopal has called for serious efforts to spread awareness on the use of tender coconut water as a natural health drink.

It would be beneficial to the consumers as well as coconut farmers, he said while addressing a valedictory session of International Coconut Summit here on Friday.

He recalled a non-alcoholic drink had been developed from toddy, but it needed to be popularised. He said the coconut trees in Kerala had been yielding less in comparison to those in Tamil Nadu and other States.

He distributed Kalpavriksha awards to specialists and researchers in the coconut sector. The awardees were Rethinam, Sevirino S. Magat, Joseph Alappat, C. Mohan and P.M.K. Rajendran.

K.V. Thomas, MLA, said the coconut farmers should be the direct beneficiaries of assistance schemes offered by the Government. Pointing out that natural toddy was being exported from Sri Lanka, he said such practices could be emulated.

K.I. Vasu, chairman of the summit, called upon youngsters to come forward with indigenous technologies. Soft loans were available from Technology Development Board for such projects. India was recognised as a country of worth after it made remarkable advances in technology, he said.

P.K. Thampan, co-chairman of the summit, said a technology development centre would be set up by the organisers of the summit. The centre would facilitate research and technology transfer.

V. Rajagopal, former Director of CPCRI, called for a global coconut research initiative. A massive replantation drive was necessary. Greater emphasis should be given for value addition in coconut products.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail