Farmers' urge revival of coconut value addition centre in Shenbagaramanpudur
Coconut farming serves as a primary source of income for farmers across the Kanniyakumari district.
The region has nearly 25,000 hectares of coconut plantation across the district, including the renowned Eathamozhi tall variety, which holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Traditionally, the coconuts produced in the district have been transported and sold to other parts of the state, as Kanniyakumari lacks major local industries that add value to the produce. To address this issue, a coconut value addition centre at Shenbaramanpudur was sanctioned in 2020, during the AIADMK tenure, following repeated appeals from farmers from the region. Although the project was sanctioned in the previous government it was inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in January, 2022.
The centre was established at an outlay of ₹16 crore with the facilities to prepare desiccated coconut powder, dry coconut, virgin coconut oil, wooden press oil, coconut charcoal, coal blocks, refrigeration and packaging facility to tender coconut water and neera (coconut padhaneer).
The facility comprises three main units: for producing virgin coconut oil, for producing desiccated coconut powder, and machinery for manufacturing coconut shell charcoal. Additionally, the centre also features drying yards, solar dryers and two large godowns with a storage capacity of 500 metric tonnes.
However, despite its potential, only one unit is currently operational. Since the inauguration, the other two units have remained non-functional, leading to dissatisfaction among farmers and prompting them to repeatedly urge the government to take action to make the centre fully operational.
Murugan, a farmer from Thengampudhur expressed his difficulties, stating that it has become increasingly hard for farmers to sell their produce at fair prices. He pointed out that in addition to dealing with pest attacks and declining yields, the coconut price had dropped significantly about a month ago. He said that if the centre has been functioning properly it would be really helpful for the farmers in securing a better price for their produce, instead of being forced to sell it for meagre sums.
Chenbagasekara Pillai, a farmer from Thuvarankadu added the reports indicated the centre needs a minimum of 20,000 coconuts per day for smooth functioning, but the district produces well above that quantity. He highlighted the Eathamozhi tall variety's capability of yielding high quality oil and lamented that such potential is not well handled. He further said that the centre was a collective dream of the district's farmers to strengthen their livelihood and agricultural prospects.
In light of the situation, Kanniyakumari constituency MLA N. Thalavai Sundaram released a statement calling for immediate intervention. He emphasised the need to reduce the increased electricity tariffs, which have become a major burden under the current administration. He strongly criticised the DMK government for failing to protect and uphold such a valuable initiative, introduced during the AIADMK's tenure aimed at benefiting the coconut farming community.
He urged the government to take swift action to reopen and make operational the two idle units at the coconut value addition centre.
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