📌 Why in News?
India’s coconut sector, deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural economy and cultural traditions, is steadily evolving from a predominantly traditional farming activity into a diversified, export-oriented industry. It is often described as the “Kalpavriksha” or “Tree of Life” because almost every part of the plant has economic or practical uses. Type of Plant: Coconut is a perennial plantation crop and a monocotyledonous palm belonging to the family Arecaceae.
Syllabus & Relevance
Prelims: Economy — institutions, terminology and factual features connected with the development.
Mains: GS-3 — contemporary application of the relevant syllabus theme.
Current–static link: Revise the underlying institution, policy or concept together with this development.
Why it matters for India
India’s coconut sector, deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural economy and cultural traditions, is steadily evolving from a predominantly traditional farming activity into a diversified, export-oriented industry.
India holds a prominent place in the global coconut economy.
The coconut sector supports the livelihoods of nearly 30 million people in India, including around 10 million farmers.
Export Potential: India’s coconut product exports reached ₹7,038.35 crore in 2025-26, registering a 62% increase over the previous year.
Static Foundation
Type of Plant: Coconut is a perennial plantation crop and a monocotyledonous palm belonging to the family Arecaceae.
Coconut is native to the Indo-Pacific region, with its origin commonly traced to Southeast Asia.
Climatic Requirements: Coconut requires a warm and humid tropical climate for optimal growth.
It grows best in regions with temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C and requires high and evenly distributed rainfall.
Soil Requirements: Coconut thrives in well-drained sandy loam, alluvial, laterite, and coastal soils.
Economic and Livelihood Significance
India holds a prominent place in the global coconut economy.
Data, Reports, Cases & Examples
MSP for Copra: Copra, the dried kernel of coconut, is among the 22 mandated agricultural crops covered under the Minimum Support Price regime.
Coconut Promotion Scheme: In order to address pest outbreaks, root wilt disease, and aging plantations, the Coconut Promotion Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.
The scheme seeks to enhance coconut production and productivity.
Coconut Development Board (CDB): Established in 1981 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the CDB provides institutional support for the integrated development of coconut cultivation and the coconut industry.
Prelims Quick Facts
India’s coconut sector, deeply rooted in the country’s agricultural economy and cultural traditions, is steadily evolving from a predominantly traditional farming activity into a diversified, export-oriented industry.
It is often described as the “Kalpavriksha” or “Tree of Life” because almost every part of the plant has economic or practical uses.
Distinguish the immediate development from the permanent mandate or structure of the institution concerned.
Revise exact names, dates, locations and legal or institutional terms from the source points; do not infer facts not stated there.
🧠 Prelims Practice Question
Examine the significance of “India’s Coconut Sector”. Discuss its key implications and the way forward.
Mains-only layer✍️ Open Mains Perspective & Answer FrameworkClick to expand ↓
Mains Perspective
Background and key dimensions
Analytical use
- Connect the development with its institutional, policy, economic, social, environmental or security implications only where supported above.
- In a Mains answer, separate the verified development from broader evaluation and use the named evidence precisely.
Way forward
- Base recommendations on the gaps and institutional responsibilities identified in the source-grounded points.
Answer Framework
Introduction
Begin with the immediate development and identify the central institution or policy issue.
Body
- Explain the relevant static concept.
- Present the principal source-backed facts.
- Analyse significance for India and the syllabus theme.
- Discuss supported challenges or implementation gaps.
- Use one named law, report, institution, date or example from the evidence box.
Conclusion
End with a balanced, institutionally feasible way forward without making claims beyond the available evidence.