Kochi to host 2nd International Coconut Summit from May 7-11

Kochi, Apr 27 (UNI) India, despite being a major coconut producer, is lagging behind smaller producers in applying value addition and introducing new coconut-based products in the world market, chairman of the International Coconut Summit K I Vasu said today.

Announcing the holding of the second International Coconut Summit here from May seven to 11, Dr Vasu said the summit would focus on production and processing technologies in coconut and coir sector, innovations and profitable marketing in national and international markets.

A business meet would be held on May ten as part of the summit for the benefit of potential entrepreneurs to become familiar with emerging technologies, he said in a release here.

Experts from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Jamaica and Ivory Coast would be taking part in the summit, which would be inaugurated by Kerala Governor R L Bhatia on May seven.

State Finance Minister Thomas Issac would preside over the function, which would also be attended by Orissa Agriculture Minister Surendra Naik, Coir Board Chairman A C Jose and Coconut Development Board Chairperson Minnie Mathew.

UNI