Kochi, Thursday 02 September 2010: The Centre has granted permission for exporting about 10,000 tonnes of coconut oil from 13 ports, Minister of State for Agriculture K V Thomas said today.

Restriction on coconut oil export has been removed and it has been decided to permit export in five kg packets, Thomas said at a function here to mark observance of the World Coconut Day today.

In an effort to instill interest in coconut farming among school students, a scheme has been drawn up after discussions with the Kerala government as per which about seven lakh coconut seedlings would be distributed to school students. The saplings would be later purchased by the coconut Development Board (CDB) as part of a buy back scheme.

India was targetting an earning of Rs 600 crore from export of coconut products this year against last year& apposes Rs 442 crore, he said.