To mark World Coconut Day, Parachute Kalpavriksha Foundation (PKF), the flagship CSR program of Marico Limited partnered with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and the Coconut Development Board (CDB) hosted ‘Coconut Festival 2024’ in Coimbatore recently.
The Coconut Festival aimed at introducing farmers to technology, advancement in agriculture practices and platforms to reach in case of experiencing challenges.
Speaking about the landmark event Marico Limited Amit Bhasin, Chief Legal Officer & Group General Counsel and Secretary of the CSR Committee, said “With Parachute Kalpavriksha Foundation, we strive to empower our farmers with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable agriculture practices, thus enhancing their productivity and income levels.
In line with Marico’s vision of sustainable agriculture and livelihood improvement, Coconut Festival was designed to equip farmers with modern farming practices including a series of informative sessions focused on solving key challenges faced by farmers, such as nutrient management, pest and disease control, and water management.
Acting as a one-stop platform, this celebration-cum-educational event, facilitated a discussion on circular economy and sustainable agriculture, bringing together all relevant stakeholders under one roof and fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among farmers, academicians, scientists, policymakers, and industry experts.
By hosting farmer recognition awards, exhibitions, demonstrations, and training sessions, through the Coconut Festival, the Parachute Kalpavriksha Foundation created an inclusive environment where stakeholders can exchange ideas and best practices.
Key topics such as nutrient management, pest and disease control, water management, and organic farming were addressed, equipping farmers with the knowledge and tools to enhance yield and income.
During the event, Parachute Kalpavriksha Foundation organised training sessions for the farmers on techniques including pest, disease, and nutrient management, climate-resilient practices on irrigation and organic farming, and field cultivation practices.
Demonstrations featured new-age technologies such as drone spraying, machinery for borewell recharge, integrated farming systems, and precision farming. The new-age machinery showcased at the event included drones for monitoring tree health, pest and disease management, climbing machines for coconut trees, mulchers for farm waste management, power tillers for ring-making, and shredders.
These innovations help streamline farm operations, making agriculture more efficient and sustainable. Advanced farming techniques were also highlighted at the festival including scientific farming, integrated farming, and precision farming to optimize resource usage and improve crop yields.
The event brought together over 1000 farmers, along with a distinguished lineup of guests such as Padmashree Kamachi Chellammal also known as Nariyal Amma, an inspirational personality in the coconut farming sector, the Coimbatore District Collector, International Coconut Community (Jakarta, Indonesia) Executive Director, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Vice Chancellor, Coconut Development Board (CDB) Chief Coconut Development Officer, along with representatives from Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Amrita University, NABARD. This convergence of expertise, experience, and enthusiasm made the Coconut Festival 2024 a landmark event in the coconut farming calendar.
