Context:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of copra for the 2021 season.

Key-takeaways.

• The approval is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
• Nodal Agencies: The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited (NCCF) will continue to act as Central Nodal Agencies to undertake price support operations at the MSP in the coconut growing States.

Copra

• Is a term that refers to sun-dried or smoked coconut “meat” or “flesh”, the edible part of a coconut.
• Copra is mainly used to yield coconut oil, however, the byproducts themselves are used for additional purposes, mostly as food for livestock.
• World producers: Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Brazil are among the world’s top coconut producers.
• Major producing states (India): Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh together account for more than 90% of coconut production in the country.