Kochi, Sep 2 (Reporter) Coconut Development Board (CDB) is celebrating World Coconut Day on the theme 'Coconut for a Circular Economy, Building Partnership for Maximum Value' at Town Hall here on Monday. Dr. Prabhat Kumar, CEO, CDB, will deliver the key note address, Dr. B. Hanumanthe Gowda, Chief Coconut Development Officer, CDB, will deliver the welcome address; and Deepthi Nair, Director (Marketing), CDB, will propose a vote of thanks during the occasion. Around 500 progressive coconut farmers, processors, and other stakeholders are expected to participate in the program. Officials from the Coconut Development Board and State Agriculture Department will be attending the program. The program will start with a technical session handled by subject matter specialists for creating awareness on the goodness of coconut and also for equipping the farmers on the topics viz. cultivation and plant protection, processing and value addition, marketing, and export. An exhibition showcasing various innovative value added products of coconut will also be arranged at the venue. World Coconut Day is being celebrated in all unit offices of the Coconut Development Board across the country in association with State Agriculture/Horticulture Departments and State Agricultural Universities. All coconut growing countries across the globe observe 2nd September as World Coconut Day every year, which is the foundation day of the International Coconut Community, an intergovernmental organization of coconut growing countries established under the aegis of UNESCAP in 1969. India is a founding member of the ICC. The objective of observing World Coconut Day is to promote all coconut-related activities, thus empowering smallholder farmers and coconut industries in ICC member countries. P. Rajeev, Kerala Minister for Law, Industries, and Coir, is expected to inaugurate the program. Hibi Eden, MP, Ernakulam, Adv. M. Anilkumar, Mayor, Kochi, T. J. Vinod, MLA, Ernakulam, Sudha Dileep, Cochin Corporation Councilor (division 66), Dr. B. Ashok IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, and Dr. Adeela Abdulla IAS, Director of Agriculture, are expected to be the Guests of Honour...////...