Coconut Development Board has called for measures to create additional demand for coconut oil and spread awareness on its health benefits.
Sugatha Ghosh, Chief Coconut Development Officer, pointed out that such an effort would help boost the prices of the commodity, ultimately benefiting the coconut farmer who had been confronted with adversities in the market.
Addressing the 77th annual general meeting of the Cochin Oil Merchants Association (COMA) here, he said that distribution of coconut oil to ration card holders through public distribution system would generate considerable increase in demand for the commodity.
He suggested that the association should set up a quality control laboratory since adulteration was a matter of concern to the merchants.
Thalath Mahamood, President, COMA, urged the Coconut Development Board to take immediate measures to arrest price fluctuation in coconut oil market as it is affecting traders in a big way. He pointed out that prices have come down to Rs 5,900 per quintal this year from Rs 10,400 a year ago.