The Marachery Kerasuraksha Coconut Producers Federation was honoured by the Coconut Development Board as the best Coconut Producers' Society (CPS) in 2016 for exemplary efforts in
attaining self-sufficiency and stake-holder involvement.
Malappuram: The Maranchery panchayat in Kerala's Malappuram district is breaking new ground in coconut production and value-addition.
The Marachery Kerasuraksha Coconut Producers Federation was honoured by the Coconut Development Board as the best Coconut Producers' Society (CPS) in 2016 for exemplary efforts in attaining self-sufficiency and stake-holder involvement.
Maranchery now had enough coconut for its use, selling the rest in the open market outside. The society started in 2012. Maranchery now had enough coconut for its use, selling the rest in the open market outside. For the project, the panchayat sought th support of retired hands and non-resident Keralites.
"Anyone with 10 coconut trees could apply for membership in the society. A maximum of 100 members are allowed in one CPS," said K. Yousuf, secretary, Kerasuraksha federation.
“Coconut Producers' Federation (CPF) is the collective of CPSes. They should have a minimum of eight CPS under them, to form a federation. In Malappuram district, Maranchery has the largest CPF, with 25 CPS,” said Yousuf, a retired teacher.
A major challenge was the non-availability of coconut pluckers. To overcome this, 200 men from the area were trained. Fifteen others were trained in Neera production. Another 15 persons were employed at the copra drier outlet and food processing units of the CPF, he said.
The federation had noteworthy projects under its belt like Kerasuraksha copra drier, coconut point, organic agri-clinic, tender coconut parlour, and coconut nursery.
The federation had noteworthy projects under its belt like Kerasuraksha copra drier, coconut point, organic agri-clinic, tender coconut parlour, and coconut nursery.
Read more: World Environment Day
