MP Takes Up Problems with Copra Farmers of Islands with Minister of Agriculture; Advocates for Reconsideration of NAFED’s FAQ Grade Necessities

Tarun Karthick

Port Blair, 09 September 2023

Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament representing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has championed the reason for Copra Farmers, together with tribal growers, with Mr. Narendra Tomer, the Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of India.

In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma drew consideration to the present hurdles confronted by Copra Farmers within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, hindering their participation within the just lately launched Price Support Scheme for the yr 2023 by the Ministry of Agriculture. This important authorities initiative, after a decade of long-wait, has lastly reached the islands.

Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma highlighted {that a} majority of Copra Farmers within the area nonetheless depend on conventional and rudimentary open-fire strategies for coconut-to-copra conversion. This outdated method ends in their copra failing to satisfy the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) standards set by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) beneath the Scheme.

Furthermore, the MP underscored that unfavourable weather conditions, prolonged transportation occasions, logistical complexities, and a number of dealing with processes have collectively contributed to the lack of farmers to satisfy NAFED’s stringent specs.

In his attraction to the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma known as for a reconsideration of NAFED’s FAQ Grade necessities, advocating for larger flexibility. This flexibility is especially essential for tribal growers, for whom coconut farming represents their sole supply of livelihood.