Lt. Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Admiral DK Joshi inaugurated procurement of Copra on Minimum Support Price (MSP) from Car Nicobar today, July 26. Now, Copra is to be procured under Price Support Scheme-AASHA at 108.60 rupees per kg by NAFED. Speaking on the occasion, he said the government has approved 300 MT fair average quality Copra during the current marketing season from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It will increase Copra farmers' income & their social-economic status subsequently.

Lt. Governor highlighted that focus should be given on technological advancements in Copra making. Storage facilities & transportation services are being developed in Port Blair for Copra produce. He also handed over the cheque to Copra Farmers in the prog. Chief Secretary Keshav Chandra said the long pending issue of Copra procurement at MSP was resolved today. Copra is the most important produce, especially in the Nicobar district. Now, the copra farmers will start getting more than double of the current price. The money for copra produce is to be directly credited in their account.

A model unit is to be set up in Car Nicobar to provide better technology for copra making. He informed that efforts are being made to design a special bag in association with Indian Institute of Packaging for copra transportation to reduce its moisture.  Other best quality products like cinnamon should be promoted a large scale. The procurement is to be done with three state-level co-operatives i.e. ANCOFED, EHL, and TDCS.