Visakhapatnam: Green coconuts from East Godavari district are all set to travel to Europe to meet the rise in demand for spices, fruits and vegetables from India. “Post the Covid-19 outbreak, some research claimed that Indian spices, fruits and vegetables are very useful as immunity boosters. The demand for Indian produce had increased in European countries. Kerala has already started exporting spices in bulk and Andhra will follow with coconuts from East Godavari and some other local produce,” Villa Dorababu, a large-scale coconut farmer told TOI.
A native of Ainavalli, situated around 65 km from Rajahmundry, Dorababu had bagged the Best Coconut Farmer of India award in 2009 from the Coconut Development Board of India.
At nearly 1.5 lakh acres, East Godavari district has the highest acreage under coconut plantations in Andhra Pradesh. Unlike the variety imported from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka that is hybrid and gives up to 400 ml of water, coconuts from this district offer only about 200 ml of water. They are, however, in great demand as they are tender and cultivated using traditional methods.
The Europe India Centre for Business and Industries (EICBI) – a UK-based business chamber that promotes bilateral trade – will be facilitating the export. The chamber has a presence in five European countries; the UK, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Germany.
“Besides coconuts, Andhra would also export turmeric and millets from Araku, red chilli powder, cereals, pulses and honey. So much so that the chamber is all set to set up an office in Vizag city to foresee the procurement and shipments of these exports,” added Dorababu, who is also steering committee member and legal adviser of EICBI for Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed office is all set to come up in Vizag city by December and exports will start soon after.