An online training program/webinar was organized with the theme of ‘Entrepreneurship development on coconut diversification’ on May 14, 2020. Thirty seven participants of Munrothuruthu Panchayath of Kollam district and Pathiyoor Panchayath of Alappuzha district participated.  Mr. Binu Karunakaran, President, Munrothuruthu Panchayath, inaugurated the training program and Dr. P Anithakumari, Principal scientist, ICAR CPCRI, RS, Kayamkulam welcomed the participants to the program highlighting importance of observing the precaution of COVID19 and using the Arogyasetu App.

Dr. Anithakarun, Director, ICAR CPCRI, Kasaragod offered the keynote address highlighting the importance of processing technologies developed by ICAR CPCRI which could double the coconut farmers income along with providing nutrition and edible fat in balanced diet. She stressed on organizing more online webinars/training programs for continued outreach programs for the farming communities.

Dr. K. Muralidharan, HOD (Social science) handled session on ‘Business models and choices of processing technologies of coconut by the customers’. He highlighted business/EDP models of single product, multiple products and integrated models of various parts of coconut like food products, coir, shell, bio inputs etc.

Dr. Shameena Beegum , scientist handled detailed session on coconut food products, virgin coconut oil (VCO) units, with practical session on handling of various machineries and the economies and investment required.

Coconut products entrepreneurs, Mr. Jagesh Kumar and Mr. Radhakrishnan shared their experiences and economics of the coconut products units, which was well received by the participant farmers.

The sessions were followed with very active and purposeful discussions on practical points and on coconut products. The program came to a close by 12:30 PM