New insect to counter Mita Blite

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Ministry plans to breed a new insect to counter the 'Mita Blite', which is affecting the coconut industry, said Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara. "The ministry has already established a breeding centre and plans to set up 20, more centres within this year,' he said.

The Ministry has already taken measures to introduce a new coconut variety 'Kola Kundira' to the Southern Province, as a solution to the coconut reported from Weligama. The Coconut Development Authority has already taken measures to plant 30,000 Kola Kundira plants, the Minister said.

Minister Pushpakumara said that experts from Kerala, India who made an inspection tour of the Southern Province observed that the Kola Kundira coconut plant had the power to resist the blite.