
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 118th episode of “Mann Ki Baat” on January 19, 2025, highlighted the empowerment of women involved in the production of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This initiative aims to economically empower tribal communities through self-help groups (SHGs) and specialized training in marketing and branding. The recent Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Virgin Coconut Oil from Nicobar district is a significant milestone in promoting local products on the global stage. The Prime Minister expressed his belief that this move would help position Andaman and Nicobar as a leading contributor in the global market.