Port Blair, Mar 26: The lone Member of Parliament has demanded purchase of copra from the farmers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands at Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the Government.
Copra is the dried kernel of coconut. Coconut oil is traditionally extracted by grating or grinding copra and then boiling it in water.
Most of the tribal families of Nicobar district are dependent on copra marketing for their livelihood.
In 2009 also the MP had demanded intervention of Andaman and Nicobar Cooperative Marketing Federation (ANCOFED) for procurement of copra directly from farmers at of Andaman and Nicobar Islands at MSP to save coconut farmers from exploitation from middle men.
“Despite of lapse of more than two years the Administration has not taken any action in this regard and coconut farmers are demanding to Minimum Support Price for their copra, fixed by the government from time to time,” the MP said in a press release today.
Meanwhile, the MP has written a letter to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, demanding expedite action and has also assured to take up the matter in the petition committee of Lok Sabha as well as through parliament questions.
Copra Procurement is a multi-crore business in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the economy of Nicobar Group of Islands is largely dependent on Copra business.
