World Coconut Day is observed annually on September 2 to create awareness about the importance, usage of coconut and its benefits across the world. Predominantly, the day is celebrated in Asian and Pacific regions to a large extent as they contain the world’s most coconut growing production centres.
Theme of World Coconut Day 2020– “Invest in Coconut to save the world”
Aim of the day 2020
To boost investments and promote the development of the coconut industry worldwide.
The aim for this year’s World Coconut Day is to encourage investments and promote the development of the coconut industry.
ICC – Every year the theme is decided by the International Coconut Community(ICC),an intergovernmental organization of coconut producing countries organized under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP).
Background
i.1st day was celebrated in 2009, to commemorate the foundation day of APCC(Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).
ii.APCC operates under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP).
iii.APCC was established in the year 1968 in the name of Asian Coconut Community and it named later as APCC.
iv.Later, the APCC was renamed as International Coconut Community(ICC)
World Coconut Day
i.The event is attended by many farmers, industrial concerns of coconut productions, and businesspersons.
ii.The event includes awareness campaigns, technical sessions by expert speakers about the advantages of coconut usage and specialised knowledge in coconut farming.
Key Info
In India, Kerala is the largest producer of coconut. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also making progress in this sector.
Tamil Nadu’s annual production is around two crore 17 lakh nuts, the productivity is further enhanced by initiatives like the Integrated Coconut Plantation Scheme.
Facts about Coconut
i.Name
The name coconut is derived from the 16th century Portuguese and Spanish word coco(mythical character), which means ‘head’ or ‘skull’ which resembles facial features after three indentations in the coconut shell.
ii.Benefits & Usage of Coconut
Boost Immunity, helps to manage blood sugar levels for diabetics; Coconut oil can be used to tackle hair problems and as a remedy for skin issues; Coconut meat( flesh inside the coconut), a source of healthy fats and nutrients can be used as an ingredient in food.
Recent Related News:
i.National Doctors Day 2020 – July 1
ii.International Day of Cooperatives 2020 – 4th July (First Saturday of July)
About International Coconut Community(ICC):
ICC currently has 20 coconut producing member countries. The ICC member countries include eight Asian countries: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste, nine Pacific countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, one Caribbean country: Jamaica, one African country: Kenya and one country in South America: Guyana.
Headquarters– Jakarta, Indonesia
Executive Director– Jelfina C. Alouw
