India has earned Rs 6448 crore during 2014-18 from export of coconut products, said Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Singh.

Speaking on the occasion of World Coconut Day on Sunday, Singh said income earned from export of coconut products was Rs 3975 crore during 2004-14, which increased to Rs 6448 crore during 2014-18.

Every year September 2 is celebrated as World Coconut Day to commemorate the formation day of Asian Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).

APCC is an intergovernmental organization of 18 member countries mandated to promote, coordinate and harmonize coconut developmental activities of the Asian Pacific region to achieve maximum economic development.

Singh said that coconut palm is Nature's great boon for the healthy and wealthy life of mankind.

Coconut is known to have been cultivated for thousands of years in our country and is an inevitable part of our culture and tradition, religious and social practices, folklore, food and drink, he said.

India stands first in global coconut production and productivity. The annual coconut production of India is 2437.80 crore and the productivity is 11616 coconuts per hectare.

The crop is cultivated in 20.98 lakh hectare. The crop contributes Rs 34,100 crore to GDP. More than one crore people depend on this crop for their livelihood.

The Minister informed that a quantum leap in the export of coconut products is expected in the near future as the price of coconut products is increasingly becoming highly competitive.