Entrepreneurship driven post harvest processing and value addition technologies of coconut.

Abstract

The coconut palm exerts a profound influence on the rural economy and provides sustenance to more than 10 million people in India. The problems of decline in the prices of coconut and its products due to local as well as international competition, acute shortage of skilled manpower necessitated the need for development of broad based entrepreneurship driven processing technologies for the sustainable growth of the industry. The processing and related activities can mitigate the seasonal price variation and generate income and employment opportunities for over two million people in India. Hence, there exists a huge scope for coconut based agri-business in India. At CPCRI, equipments such as copra dryer using different energy sources, coconut splitting device, coconut deshelling machine, snowball tendernut machine, coconut grating machine, tender coconut punch and cutter, power and pedal operated slicing machine (for coconut, potato, banana and tapioca), coconut testa remover, coconut pulverizer, blanching unit for coconut, coconut chips dryer (Electrical and agricultural waste fired), coconut flaking machine, manual and hydro-pneumatic coconut milk expellers, single and double screw milk expellers, virgin coconut oil cooker (LPG/steam/agricultural waste fired), fermentation tank and chamber for virgin coconut oil production have been developed for integrating various unit operations in coconut processing and thereby completing the value chain in coconut. The technologies for the production of copra, snowball tender nut, sweet and medicated coconut chips with different flavors, coconut grits and desiccated coconut for chutney and different food formulations, hot and fermentation process virgin coconut oil, virgin coconut oil meal based extrudates, confectionery and bakery products have also been developed. The device for collection of fresh hygienic coconut inflorescence sap has been developed and the technology for coconut sap concentrates and jaggery powder has been formulated. The processing equipments and value addition technologies developed by CPCRI have been transferred to several entrepreneurs, self help groups and NGOs. CPCRI has developed several models of technology transfer through producer/farmer/women groups so as to increase their access to necessary technical and management skills associated with specific enterprises, as well as to gain market access for coconut based high value processed products.