Kerala to Subsidize Coconut Oil for Poor During Onam Festival

As coconut oil prices soar, **Kerafed** is intervening to help Kerala’s Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders. Subsidized coconut oil will be made available to them during the Onam festival.

Subsidized Oil for Onam

**Kerafed** is poised to offer coconut oil at subsidized rates to BPL card holders in Kerala during the Onam season. A proposal has already been submitted to the government, with approval anticipated soon. The exact subsidy rate will be determined at a later date.

Direct Sourcing from Farmers

Procurement directly from farmers is set to commence in the Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts. The storage center is collaborating with impartial institutions in Thrissur and with Isaab to facilitate this process.

Price Controls and Availability

**Kerafed** is committed to purchasing green coconuts at prices exceeding market rates. To ensure an adequate supply of coconut oil, orders have been placed to maintain availability for Onevilance. Approximately 80,000 kg of copra is needed daily across Kerala, and the lush green storage facilities will be utilized to accommodate sufficient Cueva.

Past Initiatives

The agency previously initiated copra storage at Rs 75. To address the crisis in coconut oil production, more storage than market demand is being pursued. This strategy departs from the standard storage system, aiming to ensure farmers receive favorable prices.

Meanwhile, the price of one liter of coconut oil has recently fallen to Rs 440. To put this in perspective, in 2023, retail coconut oil prices in India averaged around ₹180 per liter, but varied depending on the brand and region (Trading Economics).

Summary

In summary, **Kerafed** is actively working to lower coconut oil prices for the common citizen. The provision of subsidized coconut oil to BPL card holders during Onam exemplifies these efforts.