10k subsidised coconuts fly off horticulture corp’s counters

Panaji: On Independence Day, coconut consumers experienced a form of liberation from soaring prices in Goa. Shoppers across the state queued up for a rare bargain as the Goa State Horticultural Corporation Limited (GSHCL) rolled out a special sale of jumbo-sized coconuts at just Rs 40 apiece, a drop from the usual retail rate of Rs 58-60 per nut.

The response was nothing short of enthusiastic. On the very first day of the sale, 10,000 coconuts flew off the counters. “We are expecting this stock to get over by Sunday,” said GSHCL managing director Chandrahas Desai, as customers happily carted the coconuts home.

One smiling buyer summed up the mood by saying, “It has been a long time since I could buy coconuts without wincing at the price. With Ganesh Chaturthi fast approaching, this solution was a must.”

TOI had reported that the corporation procured 25,000 coconuts to launch the initiative, all sourced from Shivamogga, Karnataka. With brisk sales showing no signs of slowing, a fresh batch of another 25,000 coconuts is due to arrive on Monday to meet the demand.

The GSHCL earlier announced that it would be sourcing 15 tonnes of coconuts from Shivamogga to help meet the state’s festive requirements. The supply drive is set to continue well past the Aug rush.

“We will be procuring at least 25,000 coconuts weekly until the eleventh day when Ganesh Chaturthi concludes,” Desai said.

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