World Coconut Day

September 2 is celebrated annually as ‘World Coconut Day’ in several countries of the Asia-Pacific region, including India. The main objective of the day is to create awareness about the significance of coconut and its potential in encouraging investments, alleviating poverty and promoting the development of the coconut industry.

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about World Coconut Day to get the basic information. It can be asked in UPSC Prelims from the section of current affairs, if at all asked.

Facts about World Coconut Day for UPSC Exam

Read the below-mentioned facts about World Coconut Day; and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation. 

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims.

About World Coconut Day

• The day is celebrated to create awareness across the globe about the importance of coconut and its myriad benefits.
• The day is observed in countries under Asian and Pacific regions as they house most of the world’s coconut growing countries.
• The theme for the 23rd World Coconut Day 2021 celebrations was “Building a safe, inclusive, resilient and sustainable coconut community amid Covid-19 pandemic and beyond”.

Importance of Coconut

• Coconuts are referred to as the wonder fruit because of the multiple benefits provided by them. Coconuts contain various health benefits due to the presence of antioxidants, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral elements.
• They contain protein, several important minerals, and small amounts of B vitamins.
• They are high in carbs and provide mostly fat.
• Water, oil and milk are widely used for cooking and non-cooking purposes.
• Coconut sap, coir and copra are parts of the tree used to make coconut butter, coconut cream and doormats.

Background of World Coconut Day

• The first World Coconut Day was celebrated in 2009.
• Thereafter, it became an annual ritual celebrated by the APCC (Asian and Pacific Coconut Community).
• The day is observed to commemorate the foundation day of APCC, which operates under the flagship authority of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP). 
  • Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC)- an intergovernmental organisation established in 1969 under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP)  for the sustained development of the coconut sector. 
  • Headquarters – Jakarta, Indonesia.
• The National Coconut Board looks after the production and development of value-added varieties from coconut like soft drinks, chips and jams.

Note: As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.

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