Agriculture department takes action: Demands 36.05 crores for coconut development projects

KOCHI: The state agriculture department has finally realized its duty. After several years, the Central Coconut Development Board was approached for a fund of 36.05 crores, including a coconut rehabilitation project, a coconut nursery and a bio-fertilizer unit. On the 10th of last month, 'Kerala Kaumudi' reported that Kerala had returned the funds allocated by the board without fully utilizing them, had not asked for more help and had not submitted project proposals. Immediate action followed.

The Director of Agriculture sent the proposal to the Chief Executive Officer of the Coconut Development Board via email. The funds will be released after the Lok Sabha elections. Out of this, 1.6 crores should be allocated to the coconut nursery as the state's share.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had already submitted proposals in March. Andhra Pradesh is next to submit. While all three states were advancing by submitting proposals and asking for additional funds, Kerala was not properly utilizing even the small amount it was receiving without asking. Last financial year, Kerala received only 2.88 crores. No additional share was requested.

Kerala had to repay 8.02 crores due to non-utilization of the allotted amount from 2017-18 to 2021-22 within the stipulated time. The Agriculture Department explained that the floods in 2018 and 2019 and the impact of Covid-19 had negatively affected fund utilization.

Kerala demanded

Coconut Restoration Project;

6000 hectares: 26.85 crores

Display garden;

3000 hectares: 5.25 crores

Bio-fertilizer unit;

1000 units: 0.75 crores

Coconut Nursery;

3.2 crores

Total: 36.05 crores