Kochi: A five-day comprehensive International Coconut Summit began here on Wednesday. There has been tremendous response from the coconut community for the mega event with over 500 delegates, including those representing almost all the major coconut-producing countries, participating in the meet, says K I Vasu, the chairman of the summit.

Despite coconut being a key plantation crop of the world and often a deciding factor in the employment and economy of many countries, it is yet to get its rightful place, he adds.

The summit has seven sessions in which various issues plaguing the coconut industry are discussed threadbare. The deliberations are focussed on multi-cropping pattern, technological innovations, diversification of products, entrepreneurial endeavours and policy issues to create a confident and prosperous coconut community.

All these deliberations will be incorporated in the Kochi Declaration on Coconut and will be presented to all coconut states and coconut countries, says Vasu.

Along with the summit, an exhibition having participation from various sectors like plantations, coir, oil, consumer, food and medicinal products, handicrafts, furniture and various popular items in overseas countries is displayed at the trade fair.