Coconut Development Board approves 18 projects

KOCHI: KOCHI: Coconut Development Board (CDB) in its 48th meeting of the project approval committee (PAC) on technology mission on coconut ( TMOC) approved 18 projects with an outlay of Rs. 12.76 crore and financial assistance of Rs. 2.75 crore with annual processing capacity of 493 lakh coconuts and 3300 tonnes of shell charcoal.

The projects are spread over southern states and Maharashtra. Desiccated coconut powder, virgin coconut oil and shell charcoal are the main products for which projects have been approved.

Under the sub component processing and product diversification, five projects for desiccated coconut powder for processing 300 lakh nuts per year, three virgin coconut oil units for processing 105 lakh nuts per year, one coconut based food unit with a capacity to process 2 lakh nuts per year, two copra dryer units with processing capacity of 60 lakh coconuts per year, four ball copra making units with processing capacity of 26 lakh coconuts per year and two shell charcoal units with a capacity for produce 3300 tonnes per year were sanctioned.

CDB institute of technology at Aluva, Kerala has developed four flavours of flavored coconut milk, a ready-to-drink juice in lab scale. For pilot testing of the product, PAC has sanctioned Rs. 52.20 lakh.

The meeting was chaired by Dr A K Singh, chairman of CDB.