(1) It shall be the duty of the Board to promote, by such measures as it thinks fit, the development under the control of the Central Government of the coconut industry.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), the measures referred to therein may provide for--
(a) adopting measures for the development of coconut industry so that farmers, particularly small farmers, may become participants in, and beneficiaries of, the development and growth of coconut industry;
(b) recommending measures for improving the marketing of coconut and its products[within or outside India];
(c) imparting technical advice to any person who is engaged in the cultivation of coconut or the processing or marketing of coconut and its products;
(d) providing financial or other assistance for the development of high yielding coconut hybrids, adoption of improved methods of cultivation of coconut, modern technology for processing of coconut and extension of areas under coconut cultivation (including replanting) with a view to improving the growth of coconut industry;
(e) adopting such measures as may be practicable for assisting coconut growers to get incentive prices including recommending as and when necessary, minimum and maximum prices for coconut and its products;
(f) recommending measures for regulating import and export of coconut and its products;
(g) collecting statistics from growers of coconut, dealers in coconut, manufacturers of coconut products and such other persons and institutions as may be prescribed, on any matter relating to coconut industry and publishing the statistics so collected or portions thereof or extracts therefrom;
(h) fixing grades, specifications and standards for coconut and its products;
(i) financing suitable schemes in consultation with the Central Government and the Governments of the States where coconut is grown ***, so as to increase the production of coconut and to improve its quality and yield; and for this purpose evolving schemes for award of prizes or grant of incentives to growers of coconut and the manufacturers of its products and for providing marketing facilities for coconut and its products;
(j) assisting, encouraging, promoting or financing agricultural, technological, industrial or economic research on coconut and its products in such manner as the Board may deem fit by making use of available institutions;
(k) undertaking such publicity and publishing such periodicals, books or bulletins, on the research and development of coconut and its products, as may be found necessary;
(l) setting up of regional offices and other agencies for the promotion and development of production, grading and marketing of coconut and its products in coconut growing States and Union territories for the efficient discharge of the functions and objectives of the Board;
(m) such other measures as may, having regard to the purposes of this Act, be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the Governments of the States where coconut is grown on a large scale;
(3) The Board shall perform its functions under this section in accordance with, and subject to, such rules as may be made by the Central Government.