Increased coconut production expected this year

Shirley Wijesinghe

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB ) revealed that expected coconut production this year is around 2859 million nuts.

This is an increase of 859 million nuts compared with the requirement of the year.

The CCB pointed out that the expected production up to August 2008, was 1973 million nuts.

This amount had increased to 2027 million nuts and is estimated to be around 3002 million nuts exceeding the expected production in 2009.

CCB Chairman Dr. Jayantha Gunathilaka said that Plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratne has given instructions to produce coconut milk powder,coconut oil and desiccated coconut from the excess coconut production and export these products.

Dr. Gunathilake explained since the program launched under the direction of Plantation Industries Minister D. M. Jayaratne to plant 10 million seedlings this year, total local coconut production will be increased by 35 percent in 2012.

Accordingly, due to the expansion of the coconut industry , a record amount of foreign exchange would be earned by exporting coconut products. He pointed out that the extent of coconut lands in the country had been decreased to 0.1percent (386 acres ) by the years 1995-2005.

Subsequent to the commencement of the coconut cultivation program, on new lands in 2006, the extent of coconut lands has been extended to 12,525 acres. Restrictions imposed on the fragmentation of coconut lands have affected the growth of coconut production, he stressed.

Coconut growers and industrialists engaged in coconut derivative products, can hope for a better future he said.