Blight destroys coconut crop

Siri Wawwage, Matara roving corr.

The blight that affected coconut crop in the South has resulted in a 40 percent drop in coconut production in the region.

The blight (Yellowish rotting of coconut leaves) which commenced from Weligama in the Matara district resulted in 332,152 coconut trees being completely destroyed affecting an area of around 16,000 acres.

The loss resulting from the blight so far has been estimated at Rs. 152 million while the loss to the economy as a whole is Rs. 7970 million.

Coconut Research Board Chairman Prof. Chitrangani Jayasekera said they had no alternative but to cut down all affected coconut trees.

The areas where the decease has been most widespread are Weligama, Kamburugamuwa, Matara, Dickwella and Hakman, Kirinda, Puhulwella and Walasmulla across Hakmana and from Hakmana to Beliatta and Tangalla.

That stretch has been declared a disease zone.