| Postal Stamp Image |
: |
 |
| Stamp Issue Date |
: |
27/12/1976 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination |
: |
0.25 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number |
: |
0835 |
| Postal Stamp Name |
: |
HYBRID COCONUT PALM |
| Stamp Information |
: |
Literary classics of India have rightly termed the coconut tree as Kalpavriksha- the all-giving tree. It is alos one of the five legendary Devvikshas or Godly trees. The tree is capable of providing all the primary needs of man. It is one of the most important tree crops of the orld and the most beautiful among the palms ith its strong and long ringed trunk (up to 30 meters) surmounted at the top by a graceful crown of giant featherlike leaves.
Every part of the tree finds variety of uses for mankind. Oil is extracted from the dried kernel of the fruits. The kernel itself is used in an arraay of culinary preparations. The oil is not only a holesome cooking medium but also has many other uses- in the manufacturing of soaps, detergents, synthetic ruber, glycerine, etc. Coconut ater is a delicious and nurturitive drink. The tender kernel is a delicacy. The fibre from the hust has versatile uses for maaking ropes, mats, baskets, brushes, brooms, etc. and also for rubberised mattresses. The young inflorescence when tapped gives a sap hich is a refreshing beverage hen fresh, and on fermentation it gives today, a mild alcoholic drink. FRom the fresh sap sugar is also made. The shell finds varied usage, as fuel, drinking bols, ladles, bangles, buttons, etc.
The trunk pf the palm is used as building material in almost all countries in the Tropics and is popularly called'porcupine ood'. The maature leaves are plaited and used in thatching and basketry.
In terms of geographical distribution coconut ranks first among the oil yeilding crops as it is grown in as many as 76 developing countries. Interestingly, India's State 'Kerala' leterally mens the land of coconuts. In this State ith an area of 38, 864 sq. km. and a population density of 549 persons per sq. km., a llarge percentage of the population is dependent on coconut for their livelihood. Currently the country produces 5869 million nuts annually from 1.1 million hectares of coconut plantation. Coconut contributes 1 percent of the GNP and 2 percent of the total agricultural income of India hich ranks third in the world productions of coconut.
India was the first country to take up systamatic research on coconut. Research work was started at Kasaragod and Nileshar stations of the then Madras Presidency (now in Kerala State) in 1916. The Nileshwar station is now part of the Kerala Agricultural University. The Kasaragod station is the headquarters of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural research since 1970. These centres are still among the leading coconut research centres of the world. Evolution of high and early bearing hybrids, development of coconut-based products, management practices and cropping system and control of pests and deseases are notable achievements of research during the last six decades. The root wilt of coconut is a serious problem which is yet to be remedied and conceerted efforts are under way to tackle this problem.
This year marks the Diamond Jubilee of research on coconut. As part of the celebrations, an International Symposium on coconut is also bing organised at Kasaragod.
The Posts and Telegraphs Department is happy to bring out a postage stamp to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Coconut Research in India. |
| Philatelic Stamp Description |
: |
The stamp depicts a young hybrid (between tall and dwarf forms) coconut palm. |
| Stamp Currency |
: |
P |
| Stamp Type |
: |
COMMEMORATIVE |
| Stamp Language |
: |
English |
| Stamp Overall Size |
: |
3.91 X 2.90 cms |
| Postal Stamp Print Size |
: |
3.5 x 2.54 cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet |
: |
35 |
| Stamp Perforations |
: |
13 x 13 |
| Postal Stamp Shape |
: |
Diagonal |
| Postage Stamp Paper |
: |
Unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper |
| Indian Stamp Process |
: |
Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed |
: |
30,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At |
: |
India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color |
: |
Multicolour |
|
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