ICAR-KVK, CCARI, North Goa, and Zonal Agriculture Office, Mormugoa, organized training on virgin coconut oil

     ICAR-KVK, CCARI, North Goa organized a one-day training on Virgin Coconut Oil Production Technology on July 19, 2024, at Old Goa in association with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Goa and the Zonal Agriculture Office Mormugoa, under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency, South Goa. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa, was the chief guest of the program. In his remarks, he emphasized the disparity in coconut productivity between Goa and the national average. He encouraged the participants to revitalize the aging and decrepit coconut plantation by promptly introducing dwarf high-yielding varieties in staggered manner to ensure a consistent source of income. He stated that implementing secondary agriculture practices will increase employment opportunities and boost household income. He distributed certificates and motivated the participants. Dr. N Bommayasamy, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK, North Goa, discussed the economic benefits of virgin coconut oil and desiccated coconut powder production instead of selling coconuts in the local market. He also suggested that farmers without land could generate virgin coconut oil by outsourcing. He urged the participants to become more entrepreneurial within this group. Mr. Rahul Kulkarni, ACTO (Agronomy), provided information about the different value-addition programs of ICAR-KVK and CCARI in North Goa, which were organized for various stakeholders. Mrs. Sunetra Talaulikar, Ex SMS (Home Science) as a resource person showcased the procedure for extracting Virgin Coconut Oil, elucidating its health advantages and economic profitability. Twenty-seven participants (20 female and 7 male) from three self-help groups attended this event. Mrs. Pooja Mahalkar, BTM, thanked the Director and his entire team for providing valuable and beneficial training to the coconut farming community and promoting entrepreneurship development. Mr. Rahul M. Kulkarni and Dr. N Bommayasamy coordinated the program.