In news- Every year, World Coconut Day is observed on September 2 to commemorate the formation of Asian Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).
History of the day-
- This special day was Initiated by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community(APCC), headquartered in Jakarta, Jakarta.
- The first observance of World Coconut Day took place in 2009, commemorating the creation of the APCC.
- All major coconut growing countries including India are members of APCC.
- This day aims to raise awareness about the use and benefits of coconuts across various industries.
- The day is about coconut as a nutritious fruit, a crucial raw material and a significant crop.
- The theme of 2021 was World Coconut Day is “Building a Safe Inclusive Resilient and Sustainable Coconut Community Amid Covid-19 Pandemic & Beyond.”
Asian and Pacific Coconut Community(APCC)-
- It is an intergovernmental organisation of states in Asia-Pacific that produce coconuts.
- The purpose of the APCC is “to promote, coordinate and harmonize all activities of the coconut industry”.
- In Bangkok on 12 December 1968, the Agreement establishing the Asian Coconut Community was concluded and signed by India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
- After the treaty was ratified by these states, the Asian Coconut Community came into existence on 9 September 1969 with headquarters in Jakarta.
- When states outside Asia began to be admitted to the organisation, its name was changed to the “Asian and Pacific Coconut Community”.
Coconuts-
Coconuts are members of the drupe family, and it is a fleshy fruit that has been planting in tropical regions.
- The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus Cocos.
- Coconuts were first domesticated by the Austronesian peoples in Island Southeast Asia and were spread during the Neolithic via their seaborne migrations as far east as the Pacific Islands, and as far west as Madagascar and the Comoros.
- A rich source of electrolytes and lauric acid, coconuts contain many antioxidants and antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral.
- They are produced in more than 80 countries around the world.
- India currently is the third largest coconut producer with Indonesia at the top followed by Philippines.
- In India, states like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh are the leading contributors.
- In 1280, Marco Polo encountered the coconut on his travels to Sumatra and referred to it in his writing as “nux indica,” or “Indian nut”
Source: Hindustan Times
