Date:16/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/16/stories/2006051603630800.htm

Back Minor players

K.K. Mustafah

PLANS TO INCREASE ACREAGE: Cocoa beans being collected at an outlet n Adimali, Kerala. The beans are fermented and dried before being utilised for the manufacturing of chocolate and other confectionary items.

Cocoa production in the country, a minor player in the global market, is hovering around 8,000 tonnes with the area under the crop being 15,000 tonnes. The Centre hopes to increase the acreage to 24,000 tonnes by the end of the current Plan period.