World Coconut Day observed with focus on sustainable cultivation at Assam–Meghalaya border

The World Coconut Day 2025 was observed on Tuesday, September 2 at Gamerimura, Boko, along the Assam–Meghalaya border, with a strong call for sustainable cultivation and community-driven coconut farming in the region.

The programme was jointly organised by the ICAR–All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Plantation Crops, Assam Agricultural University’s Horticulture Research Station (AAU–HRS), Kahikuchi, and the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office, Boko. The event coincided with the global observance of World Coconut Day, marking the foundation of the International Coconut Community (ICC).

This year’s theme, “Uncovering Coconut's Power, Inspiring Global Action”, shaped the technical sessions and deliberations. Experts addressed farmers, self-help groups, and agri-entrepreneurs, discussing advanced farming techniques, pest and disease management, and value-addition opportunities to enhance market potential for coconut-based products.

Highlighting Assam’s position as the largest coconut-growing state in Northeast India, with over 21,000 hectares under cultivation, scientists from AAU stressed the urgent need for improved planting material and scientific practices. Despite the scale, productivity in the state continues to lag behind the national average.

A symbolic plantation drive was carried out at Gamerimura, where farmers received high-yielding coconut seedlings and Assamese-language advisory leaflets to support better adoption of farming innovations.

Speaking on the occasion, Boko SDO Gautam Roy Choudhury announced that a horticultural crop research centre will soon be established on one bigha of land at Gamerimura. The centre will focus on multi-tier cropping systems, integrating coconut with pineapple, lemon, and banana, with a long-term vision to expand cultivation and diversify agricultural output in the region.

The event concluded with an interactive session where farmers shared field-level challenges and sought expert guidance, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the day.