Divi Neguma enhances coconut cultivation

Two coconut saplings were provided for each Divi Neguma family and thereby 30,000 acres of coconut cultivated land was added to the country’s coconut cultivated land, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.

About 2 million coconut saplings were cultivated in 2011 throughout the country, the minister participating at the Divi Neguma awareness programme for District Planning Directors held at the ministry said.

Under the Divi Neguma Programme 4 million coconut saplings will be cultivated, minister Rajapaksa said.

The Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Ministry has taken measures to cultivate 4 million coconut plants this year. The government hopes to cultivate cash crops such as tea,coconut and rubber in the 21/2 acres of home gardens under the Divi Neguma National Programme.

About 60,000 land will be cultivated under this project. The government has initiated a number of programmes to counter the crises experienced in the coconut industry. It will provide fertilizer subsidy for coconut growers.

These programmes are organised under the patronage of the Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara and Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardane.