World Coconut Day is annually celebrated across the globe on 2nd September to promote the importance of coconuts and their contributions to various aspects of life, including the economy, agriculture, and health.
- The day also aims to raise awareness about the uses and benefits of coconut cultivation and consumption.
The theme of World Coconut Day 2023 is “Sustaining Coconut Sector for the Present and Future Generation.”
- The day is also observed to commemorate the Foundation Day of the International Coconut Community (ICC), formerly known as the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), founded on 2nd September 1969.
How the Day is celebrated in India?
In India, this day is celebrated with the support of the Coconut Development Board (CDB), across the states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, etc.
Background:
i.World Coconut Day was first celebrated by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) on September 2, 2009.
ii.The date of September 2 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the establishment of the APCC in 1969.
- APCC is an intergovernmental organisation functioning under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP).
iii.Since then, every year under the APCC by the authority of UN-ESCAP, this day has been organised to highlight their policies and mark the course of action for promoting this tropical fruit and bringing awareness regarding its health benefits.
Significance:
i.Coconut, Cocos nucifera Linnaeus, (family Palmae) is a pantropical plant, which is a highly nutritious fruit, a crucial raw material, and a significant crop.
ii.The top 3 leading producers of coconuts are Indonesia, India and the Philippines.
2023 Events:
i.On 2nd September 2023, the Coconut Development Board in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala celebrated World Coconut Day at PJ Hall, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala.
- Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) inaugurated the programme.
- A Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) Business Meet on Incentivising Coconut Cultivation with Better Profit was held as part of the programme.
ii.International Coconut Community (ICC), Government of Gorontalo Regency (Indonesia), and Dekindo Konsultan Utama organised a Conference, Business Meeting, Exhibition, Famers Training, and Competition & Awards from 1-25 September 2023 to commemorate World Coconut Day with the theme “Sustaining Coconut Sector for the Present and Future Generation.”
About International Coconut community (ICC):
Executive Director– Dr Jelfina C. Alouw
Headquarters– Jakarta, Indonesia
Established in– 1969
About Coconut Development Board (CDB):
It is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Chairman– Rajbir Singh Panwar
Headquarters– Kochi, Kerala
Established on– 12th January 1981
