Coconut oil better than palm oil - research
Jayanthi COORAY
Coconut oil was found to be of a higher quality and more conducive
for consumption than palm oil, according to experiments carried out by
the Coconut Research Institute, said a spokesman for the Institute.
The annual local consumption of coconut oil is 150,000 metric tons
while Rs 15,000 million is spent on palm oil imports annually.
Meanwhile, the Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development
Ministry has taken steps to cultivate four million coconut seedlings
before the end of this year through the Kapruka Puravara, Kapruka Sip
Nenai and Divi Neguma programmes.
The distribution of seedlings has been completed in most districts
and steps have been taken to start new plant nurseries in each
Divisional Secretariat Division in addition to the existing nurseries.
Production and distribution of seedlings is done in keeping with the
climatic conditions in the respective areas.
For instance, the disease resistant variety known as Kundira will be
distributed for cultivation in Weligama which was worst affected by the
coconut leaf blight. |