Gandhinagar: Gujarat has witnessed a nearly 20% increase in tender coconut production over the past two years, with annual output touching around 26 crore coconuts, reflecting the state’s rapid growth in horticulture farming.
The growth comes amid increasing cultivation across Gujarat’s coastal belt and rising demand for tender coconuts in domestic markets. Coconut farming is currently spread over nearly 28,000 hectares across districts including Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Valsad, Navsari, Kutch and Devbhoomi Dwarka.
Officials said Gujarat’s extensive coastline and increasing farmer participation have contributed significantly to the rise in production. As per 2024–25 estimates, the state’s average productivity stands at nearly 9.26 thousand coconuts per hectare.
The Gujarat government has also intensified efforts to promote horticulture farming through subsidies, training programmes and awareness drives. Farmers are being offered up to 75% subsidy for coconut plantation under various state schemes.
In addition, the horticulture department is encouraging the adoption of modern farming practices such as mulching, integrated pest management and drip irrigation to improve productivity and reduce crop losses. Gujarat Green Revolution Company Limited is providing support for micro-irrigation systems, while government nurseries are supplying hybrid, dwarf and tall coconut saplings.
The coastal “Leeli Nagher” region between Chorwad and Una had faced severe rugose whitefly infestations in recent years, impacting coconut plantations. However, several farmers have now adopted innovative techniques to control the pest.
Among them is Dinesh Solanki, a young farmer from Sutrapada in Gir Somnath, whose low-cost natural solution has attracted attention across the region. Solanki used a mixture of jaggery and Gir cow’s milk diluted in 1,000 litres of water to tackle the infestation.
According to officials, his annual coconut production increased from around 1,000–1,500 coconuts to nearly 8,000–10,000 coconuts after adopting the method. His annual income has reportedly risen to nearly ₹12–15 lakh, prompting other farmers to replicate the practice.
Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state government is now targeting an expansion of coconut cultivation to nearly 70,000 hectares in the coming years. The government is also promoting value-added coconut products such as virgin coconut oil and coconut powder, while exploring export opportunities to strengthen Gujarat’s position in the coconut industry.