Cherupuzha: The raw coconut procurement centre opened by Kerafed has come as a major relief to coconut farmers in the hilly regions here.

Kerafed began procuring raw coconuts at ₹76 per kilo from farmers in Cherupuzha. Soon after, market prices began to dip sharply, falling to just ₹55 per kilo. Even then, Kerafed continued to procure the crop at ₹68 per kilo, refusing to lower the ceiling rate. This intervention has helped stabilise the market, with prices once again showing an upward trend.

From August 18 until Saturday, Kerafed has been purchasing raw coconuts at ₹68 per kilo, while the open market is now offering ₹62 per kilo. This also means that there exists a difference of ₹6 in procurement in the open market. Farmers believe that the timely intervention by Kerafed prevented a major price crash and restored confidence in the market.

Cherupuzha was the launch site for Kerafed’s state-level raw coconut procurement drive. The agency is now working to extend the process to other districts. Farmers from Kannur and Kasaragod are already bringing their harvest to the Cherupuzha centre on a daily basis.

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