Originating from a community of farmers, the family of MD Balasanthanam, has, for generations practised agriculture. As a first generation entrepreneur, enterprising in the textile industry since 1991, the traditional ties with agriculture cannot be broken. Therefore, venture into modern agriculture was decided. Coconut farming, being the staple plantation in the western region of Tamil Nadu, enhancing productivity in coconut farming became the centre of this venture. After much contemplation and elaborate deliberations with all stake holders including coconut farmers and various research institutes like Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Central Crop & Plantation Crop Institute (CPCRI) on subjects of sustainability and productivity, the significance of sustainable coconut farming became common and that of seedlings. With passion for the traditional ties with agriculture and the ideas generated through discussions, B&M Coconut Centre was established in 2007 in a 10 acre farm with the assistance of the CDB. Parent seedlings were sourced from Demonstration cum Seed Production Farm (DSP) of the CDB. Around 600 Chowgat Orange Dwarf (COD), Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) and around 100 trees of West Coast Tall (WCT) were planted. The following combinations of DxT are currently being produced at the centre.

  • MYD×WCT - SUDHARSANA 1(S1)
  • COD×WCT - SUDHARSANA 2(S2)
SUDHARSANA hybrid are suitable for Tender coconut, edible coconut as well copra which weighs 18-20 kg/100 nuts. By proper crop management and marketing of coconut products, a farmer can fetch a minimum income around 2 lakhs/acre and by adapting proper intercropings inside the coconut garden the scope of income is still vast.