Hybrid coconut variety introduced in N'Eliya district

Chaminda Perera

The Government plans to increase coconut export earnings from Rs. 18 billion to Rs. 50 billion within five years, said Plantations Minister D.M. Jayaratne.

Jayaratne was speaking at the launch of the coconut planting campaign in the Nuwara Eliya district which is being undertaken for the first time.

A hybrid coconut variety developed by the Coconut Research Institute to suit the climatic conditions of Nuwara Eliya was planted in Haggala and Victoria Gardens on an experimental basis by Plantations Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge. China provided necessary coconut genes for this purpose.

CRI officials sought Chinese assistance to develop a coconut variety after inspecting the coconut cultivation in Haina island in China where the temperature is below 5 Celsius.

He said the people should actively be involved in the Government's campaign to transfer Sri Lanka into a verdant country.

The Ministry in collaboration with the Coconut Development Board has launched a massive programme to cultivate 1 billion coconut saplings islandwide.

"We recently initiated coconut planting campaigns in the Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts in the East and a new coconut variety will soon be introduced to suit the climatic condition of the Vavuniya and Mannar districts in the North.

Each family will receive five high yielding coconut saplings which will bear nuts within four years. Every Government since independence has failed to promote an agri-based economy.

All concessions and allowances such as Samurdhi should be curbed to encourage people to grow more crops, he said. Escalating oil prices and low production have made a bad impact on prices of essential commodities.

"We can introduce coconuts in place of tea cultivation as a supplementary crop if this programme is successful.

There is no need to import rice if our fallow paddy lands are properly cultivated. Our people should be encouraged to be self sufficient in food by curtailing food imports.

Parcelling of coconut lands above five acres will be completely prohibited and an Act in this regard will be presented in Parliament shortly, the Minister said.

Three hundred tons of copra will be imported to cushion the soaring coconut prices due to the low coconut production in the country.

Coconut development Minister Salinda Dissanayake, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Coconut Development Board Chairman Dr. Jayantha Gunathilaka were also present.