The Coconut Development Board will be implementing an integrated farming programme in coconut holdings for productivity improvement.

The Laying out of Demonstration Plots (LODP) project will be started in the four southern States through select Coconut Producers’ Societies (CPS) only.

The Board has earmarked Rs 4.38 crore for implementing a fresh LODP programme in the four States during 2013-14.

In Kerala, 40 best CPSs have been selected from around 2,300 registered with the Board for the programme in 1,000 hectare. Rs 175 lakh is earmarked for the same.

The selection of best CPSs is being carried out in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Board It has allocated Rs 87.5 lakh for the implementation of the programme in 500 hectares in Tamil Nadu, Rs 1.23 crore for 700 hectares in Karnataka and Rs 52.50 lakh for 300 hectares in Andhra Pradesh.

The scheme is being implemented by the Board on a cluster basis in a contiguous area of appropriate size of 25-50 ha.

The integrated farming programme aims at increasing the production and productivity of coconut from unit holdings by proper and timely adoption of scientific practices in a farmer-participatory mode. The Coconut Board is providing agricultural inputs for the scientific management of unit holdings.

The programme is aimed to facilitate the adoption of appropriate coconut-based farming systems in a cost-effective manner and thereby improve the production and productivity to generate better incomes for farmers. Critical inputs such as fertilisers, green manures and plant protection chemicals are being provided besides planting materials for intercrops.

> sajeevkumar.v@thehindu.co.in

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