Measures to control CLW

Irangika RANGE

The Plantation Industries Ministry has taken measures to control the spreading of the Coconut Leaf Wilt (CLW) disease in the Southern Province.

Currently, a three kilometre disease free zone around the disease spreading area is being maintained by the Ministry to prevent spreading of the disease to other areas," a Plantation Ministry Spokesman told the Daily News.

"We have also taken steps to prevent the movement of coconut planting material and possible hosts and vectors of coconut Phytoplasma to prevent the spreading of the CLW to other parts of the country," he said.

The uprooting of infected palms in the disease affected areas and the removal of such infected plants started from Northern and Southern ends (Galle and Hambantota).

Meanwhile, a survey has been conducted by the Ministry and disease affected area has been identified and mapped.

Accordingly, a 8,286 infected palms have been removed and compensation paid to farmers for the uprooted palms.

A program for cultivation of alternative crops has been implemented to uplift the economy of the farmers who are faced with economic difficulties due to the removal of infected palms under this program.

Measures have also been taken to collect the necessary information of potential crops and types of crops that farmers prefer to cultivate.