Port Blair, Dec 19: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Chairman, ANCOFED on 18th December, has inaugurated a Mechanized Copra Drying and Processing Unit at Mathura, South Andaman as Chief Guest. Ms Mariyam bibi, Adhyaksha, ZPSA has graced the occasion as Guest of honour.
In his inaugural address, Kuldeep has stated that such units should be established at many more corners of South, North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar district for the welfare of the unemployed youths from where they may earn their livelihood. Kuldeep has added that apart from tourism and fisheries, coconut based industries are the only means of livelihood remain at present if well planned coconut based industries can be developed in a larger scale as plenty of raw material in form of coconut is available in these islands and the finished product of coconut such as copra, coconut oil have a large market which gives profitable rates.
Since there is no industry in these islands, development of copra Manufacturing units will be a boon for the islands as the nature has given plenty of coconut trees in these islands which produce huge quantity of coconuts as raw material. Kuldeep has also stated that there is vast market for marketing coconut oil and copra in this island as well as in mainland. Govt of India has also granted price support scheme for purchase of copra from which the producers of coconut will also be benifitted. While concluding, Kuldeep has stated that for the upliftment of the unemployed youths, since there is no scope of employment in Govt or private sectors in these islands, establishment of coconut industry has become a need of the time. Ms Mariyam Bibi have also addressed the gathering. Many PRI’s, cooperator and general public were present in the function.
