World Coconut Day is observed every year on 2 September to highlight coconut’s importance in agriculture, nutrition, rural livelihoods and the economy. It also promotes sustainable coconut cultivation, value addition and greater investment in the sector.
World Coconut Day 2026 Theme: “Coconuts in Times of Uncertainty: Securing Food, Energy, and Livelihoods.”
The theme underlines coconut’s role in food security, energy resources and sustainable livelihoods, particularly in tropical regions.
History
Scientifically known as Cocos nucifera, coconut is popularly called the “Tree of Life” because almost every part of the plant has useful applications
The first World Coconut Day was celebrated on 2 September 2009. The date commemorates the foundation day of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).
- APCC: Intergovernmental organisation established in 1969
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Main role: Promoting the sustainable development of the coconut sector in the Asia-Pacific region
Coconut cultivation supports millions of farmers and workers and provides raw material for industries such as food processing, coconut oil and coir products.
Suitable Conditions for Coconut
Coconut requires a warm and humid tropical climate. Important conditions include:
- Rainfall: About 1,300–2,300 mm annually
- Average temperature: Around 27°C
Government Support for Coconut Farmers
Copra under MSP
Copra, the dried kernel of coconut, is one of the 22 agricultural crops covered under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system.
India mainly produces:
- Milling copra– primarily used for oil extraction
- Ball copra– consumed as edible dry fruit and also used for religious purposes
NAFED and NCCF function as the Central Nodal Agencies for copra procurement, with suitable state agencies also supporting procurement.
Coconut Development Board Initiatives
The Coconut Development Board (CDB) implements programmes aimed at improving cultivation, productivity, planting material, technology adoption and market development.
| Initiative | Key 2025–26 Outcome |
| Demonstration Cum Seed Production Farms (DSPFs) | 11 farms produced about 2.41 lakh quality seedlings |
| Nucleus Coconut Seed Garden | ₹24 lakh allocated; ₹20.29 lakh utilised |
| Small Coconut Nursery Scheme | 12 new nurseries established, with combined capacity of about 1.06 lakh seedlings annually; support also given to 6 existing nurseries |
| Nursery Accreditation & Rating | ₹239.35 lakh provided to eligible public-sector nurseries, supporting about 11.97 lakh quality planting materials |
The planting material produced through the nursery programme was sufficient for establishing new plantations over an estimated 6,850–7,500 hectares.
Expanding and Rejuvenating Coconut Cultivation
The government also provides financial assistance and technical support to expand coconut cultivation into suitable new areas and improve productivity in existing regions.
Under the area expansion programme:
- Assistance: ₹56,000 per hectare
- Released in two equal annual instalments
- Maximum area eligible: 2 hectares per beneficiary
- Minimum area: 0.08 hectare (20 cents)
During 2025–26, around 2,175 hectares were brought under new coconut cultivation and approximately 1,672 hectares underwent rejuvenation.
The Coconut Promotion Scheme announced in Union Budget 2026–27 further seeks to promote sustainability, exports and higher farmer incomes.