Help for coconut related manufacturers
Ishara MUDUGAMUWA
The Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Ministry will
encourage coconut related manufacturers and suppliers to increase the
quality of their products with the support of the Divi Neguma Programme
to uplift their living standards, said Coconut Development and Janatha
Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara.
A large number of people in Sri Lanka especially those living in
coastal areas depend on coconut related products. They produce various
types of products such as coconut milk, coconut powder, coconut fibre,
desiccated coconut and ornamental products using all parts of the
coconut tree. It is necessary to manufacture these products with a high
quality to get a good price and meet demands in the foreign market, said
the minister.
The minister added that the ministry will take legal action against
those who produce low quality coconut oil by adding palm oil. Currently
coconut oil is at an affordable price in the market and it is difficult
to reduce it too much as we have to look after consumers as well as
coconut oil manufacturers, he said.
Awareness programmes will be conducted by the ministry and new
technologies will be introduced to all small-scale, medium-scale and
large-scale coconut related producers, he said.
|