The Complete Book on Coconut & Coconut Products (Cultivation and Processing)

Coconut is one of the oldest crops grown in India and presently covers 1.5 million hectares in this country. Found across much of the tropic and subtropical area, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts. Coconuts are part of the daily diet of many people. Its endosperm is initially in its nuclear phase suspended within the coconut water. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm deposit along the walls of the coconut, becoming the edible coconut flesh. When dried, the coconut flesh is called copra. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear liquid coconut water within is a refreshing drink and can be processed to create alcohol. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it. India stands third in the production of coconut in the world. There are only two distinguishable varieties of coconut; the tall and the dwarf. As a result of cross pollination in the tails, a wide range of variations occur within the same variety. Coconut based cropping/farming systems promote on farm diversity and strengthens ecological base of coconut farming. Coconut husk is the raw material for the coir industry. It is also used as a domestic fuel and as a fuel in copra kilns. Coconut oil comes under edible/industrial group, is used as cooking oil, hair oil, massage oil and industrial oil. It is dominated by saturated fats and high percentage of lauric acid. India accounts for the 18% of total coconut production in the world and it is the third largest coconut producing country in the world. Coconut processing adds value, and a number of products like coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coir fibre, pith, mattresses, desiccated coconut (DC), coconut cream, coconut milk, spray dried coconut milk powder, coconut shell products, shell charcoal, shell powder, virgin coconut oil are obtained. The demand for coconut oil increases 15 to 20 % during the festival season. Coconut oil for edible purposes is now being claimed to be the second best edible oil in the world, after Olive oil. Coconut shell charcoal is most widely used as domestic and industrial fuel. Some of the fundamentals of the book are product diversification in coconut, future of coconut oil, scope for product diversification, varieties of coconut, farming systems in coconut, organic farming of coconut, spices and herbs, establishment and maintenance of organic coconut plantations, production of organic spices, medicinal and aromatic plants along with coconut, crop improvement, green manuring in coconut garden organic recycling in coconut, soil moisture conservation in coconut garden, harvest and post harvest technology, integrated farming in coconut holdings for productivity improvement, machinery and processing of desiccated coconut, coconut processing sector in India, etc. Coconut plays an important role in the economic, social and cultural activities of millions of people in our country. India is a major producer of coconut in the world. Coconut provides food, edible oil, industrial oil and health drink to humanity. All parts of coconut tree is useful in one way or other and the crop profoundly influences the socio economic security of millions of farm families. The present book contains the methods of cultivation and processing of coconut. This book is very beneficial for agriculturist, researchers, professionals, entrepreneurs, agriculture universities etc.