Source book on coconut industry
Title:Pol Karmantaye Abhiyoga
Jayaganimu
Author: D J U Purasinghe
Graficare publications
Pages: 146
Price: Rs 275
Pol Karmantaye Abhiyoga Jayaganimu (Let us meet challenges of the
coconut industry) by Coconut Development Authority former Chairman D J U
Purasinghe is a valuable source book on the coconut industry. Written in
a simple lucid style it is equally interesting and useful for students,
housewives, entrepreneurs and those engaged in various industrial and
business concerns related to coconut industry.
The book not only deals with the economic significance of the coconut
industry, the need for its development and the prospects of introducing
several new allied industries that would bring more foreign exchange,
provide more employment for rural people and provide new opportunities
to small and middle level entrepreneurs. In this respect the author
shows how other coconut producing countries have ventured into new
fields by producing coconut chips, coconut flower, coconut sugar,
various cosmetics, health drinks, biodiesel, wine and vodka among
others.
At present there is a disturbing trend in the coconut industry. The
rate of increase of its production is below that of the rate of increase
of the population. The result of this lag is the growing inadequacy of
the supply of coconuts to the local as well as the foreign market. It
compels the country to spend foreign exchange on foreign substitutes
which are often harmful to health or the environment. He emphasises the
need to reduce waste especially in the domestic use of coconut and the
need to apply modern technology to reduce this waste.
Purasinghe also discusses the multiple possible uses of coconut
products as sources of alternative fuel including their traditional
usages. Nor has he missed the opportunities for developing health
beverages and other food items as by-products of the coconut industry.
No doubt the book has benefited from his wide experience as the
former Chairman of the Coconut Development Authority and his long-term
interest and research in matters related to the coconut industry.
A special feature of the book is the illustration of subject matter
through the use of tables, flow charts, pictures and graphics, specially
in introducing the actual and potential application of technology.
The book is sure to attract a wide spectrum of readers.
- JV |
