report of the working group on improvement of banking services

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Suggestions to improve Agriculture Development
4.15 (i) Diversification <strong>of</strong> agriculture is essential as any fall in market price <strong>of</strong> coconut oil or outbreak <strong>of</strong> any
pest and disease may have devastating effect on agriculture sector.
(ii) Initiatives may be taken for removal <strong>of</strong> unproductive coconut farms and downsizing over crowded
coconut palms by maintaining 175 to 200 palms per ha. Model Farms on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> scientific
recommendations by Coconut Development Board / Central Plantation Crops Research Institute and KVK may
be established.
(iii) Steps may be taken to popularize intercropping in coconut gardens, especially with short duration,
drought and salinity tolerant vegetable crops during rainy seasons. The department may undertake survey and
identify location specific crops for various Islands.
(iv) Banks may introduce flexi credit for “Homestead Farms” on <strong>the</strong> lines <strong>of</strong> scheme under implementation
in Kerala. A model scheme may be prepared to guide <strong>the</strong> banks.
(v) A survey may be conducted to construct rain water harvesting structures, similar to ferro cement /
silpulin.
(vi) Scope for compost making from coir pith. This will not only generate additional income but also pave
<strong>the</strong> way for safe and quick disposal <strong>of</strong> coconut pith. Using geo textiles to prevent sea erosion, producing coir
based products, etc may be examined.
(vii) There is a felt need for conducting sensitization programme for senior government staff and training
programmes for <strong>the</strong> implementing staff on project preparation and appraisal.
(viii) A study may be conducted to reintroduce copra drier, may be “Community Owned” driers. One or two
driers per island may be established. Fur<strong>the</strong>r, it may also look into fabrication <strong>of</strong> dual purpose drier both for
copra and tuna fish.
(ix) The entire Union Territory can be considered as an organic farm as no chemical fertilizer is allowed to
be used in <strong>the</strong> islands in view <strong>of</strong> its fragile ecosystem.
(x) The organic farming character <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agricultural products <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands should be leveraged to develop
a unique brand with appropriate positioning in <strong>the</strong> national and international markets.