Coconut shell marketing - A successful case study of TCFPCL, Thanjavur

A study was undertaken in TNCFPCL, Thanjavur as the FPC has taken striking initiatives in marketing of coconut shell in addition to the existing marketing of conventional agricultural produce. Initially, during the procurement year 2022, nearly 3000 kg of coconut shell were procured from 15 farmers and marketing was successfully done in a win-win situation. The farmers got 15 per cent higher selling price when the bi-product was marketed through this channel. In this current procurement period, (2023), till now, 7000 kg coconut shell was procured and sold to coconut shell powder companies. The study was done with the following objectives. i). To identify the marketing Channels for coconut shells, ii). To work out the shell extraction economics, iii). To study the shell selling behavior and iv). To find out the reasons for preference towards TNCFPCL. Coconut shell, a bi product, provides excellent net returns to the farmer and Rs.5940 was realized by the sample farms. The farmers got additional amount of Rs.1.00 to 1.20 per kg of coconut shell when they resort to marketing of shells through TNCFPCL and farmers put lot of efforts in the process of copra and shell making and hence, it is obviously chosen as prime reason for selecting the FPC channel for disposal of coconut shells. The TNCFPCL could opt for vertical integration and as a long term plan, installation of coconut shell powder machinery could be contemplated. But, requirement of large area and clearance from Pollution Control Board could be the two challenging issues for the FPC for implementing the plan. TNCFPCL could contemplate export of coconut shell powder and its accessories and necessary support through Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) scheme of Coconut Development Board.