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File No. SS-LD-AGR-001 · Lakshadweep UT Scheme · Department of Agriculture

Coconut Development Programme

Subsidised copra driers, climber insurance and pest management support for Lakshadweep's coconut farmers — sustaining the crop that anchors the islands' agriculture, where land itself is the scarcest resource.

What this scheme offers

Run by Lakshadweep's Department of Agriculture (established in 1956, one of the UT's oldest departments), this programme reflects the islands' unique constraints — extremely limited land, near-total dependence on the mainland for most goods, and an economy built substantially around the coconut palm. Support includes subsidised copra driers for processing harvested coconuts, dwarf coconut varieties bred for the islands' conditions, comprehensive insurance cover for coconut climbers (a physically hazardous occupation), and cut-and-removal support for diseased or senile palms to keep the overall palm population healthy. A related Integrated Pest and Disease Management component controls threats like whitefly, rodents, and hairy caterpillar infestation. The department also runs a Nutri Garden initiative (since 2021-22), supplying vegetable and fruit seedlings for terrace and backyard cultivation, given how little open farmland exists on the islands.

Who is eligible

  • Coconut farmers and coconut climbers resident in Lakshadweep.
  • Households interested in Nutri Garden support for backyard/terrace vegetable and fruit cultivation.
  • No specific income limit documented — support is generally available to the island's agricultural community given the sector's centrality to the local economy.

Documents required

  • Aadhaar card
  • Residence proof (Lakshadweep)
  • Land/cultivation proof, where applicable to your specific request (copra drier, climber insurance, etc.)

How to access support

  1. Contact the Department of Agriculture office on your island, or visit lakshadweep.gov.in/departments/agriculture for current programme details.
  2. Register your interest in the specific support you need — subsidised copra drier, dwarf coconut saplings, climber insurance, or Nutri Garden inputs.
  3. Submit your Aadhaar and residence proof for verification.
  4. The department's field staff provide technical guidance alongside material support (seeds, equipment, insurance enrolment).
  5. Attend any scheduled training programmes for farming techniques or pest management relevant to your request.

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