Kochi to host 2nd International Coconut Summit from May 7

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 second International Coconut Summit to be held here from May 7 to 11, Dr Vasu said that 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 10 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 7.

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