The Union Cabinet has officially approved an enhanced Copra MSP 2026 to provide better price assurance to coconut growers across the country. For the 2026 season, the Minimum Support Price for milling copra has been fixed at Rs 12,027 per quintal, while ball copra is now set at Rs 12,500 per quintal. These rates represent an increase of Rs 445 and Rs 400 respectively over the 2025 prices, ensuring the support price remains 50 per cent above the cost of production.
Understanding the Copra MSP 2026 Support System
Copra, the dried kernel of the coconut, remains one of the 22 crops mandated under the government's Minimum Support Price regime. To ensure farmers receive these rates, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) act as central nodal agencies for procurement, working in tandem with state-level agencies.
India, which ranks first globally in coconut production, produced approximately 20,301.22 million nuts during 2024-25. While Kerala holds the largest cultivation area, production is expanding into states like Odisha, Gujarat, and Assam, supported by technical guidance from the Coconut Development Board.
From Traditional Farming to High-Value Horticulture
The success of the coconut sector is increasingly tied to value addition and intercropping models. In the Bastar Plateau of Chhattisgarh, farmers are successfully adopting multitier cropping systems. By cultivating intercrops such as pineapple, dragon fruit, mango, and various seasonal vegetables alongside coconut palms, growers are significantly increasing their land productivity and annual income.
This shift from raw commodity production to value-added products like virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, and activated carbon has driven a substantial rise in exports. In 2025-26, coconut product exports reached Rs 7,038.35 crore, a 62 per cent increase from the previous year, highlighting the sector's growing role in the national economy.
Institutional Support for Farmers
The Coconut Development Board, headquartered in Kochi, continues to oversee industry growth across 22 States and Union Territories. Its current priorities include:
- Providing quality planting material to farmers
- Expanding the total area under coconut cultivation
- Improving productivity in existing holdings
- Managing pests and diseases
- Promoting product diversification
With Rs 147.21 crore released for Board activities in 2025-26, the institution continues to facilitate domestic and international market access for growers, supporting the government's vision of inclusive growth for small and marginal cultivators.
