Mahaweli Authority to increase Coconut production

The Mahaweli Authority is planning to plant 700,000 coconut saplings in the Mahaweli Zones with the objective of increasing coconut production by 12%.

The Coconut grown areas in the country amount to nearly 400,000 hectares which produce 2728 million nuts annually contributing 1.1% to the GDP.    The per capita consumption of coconut per year amounts to 116 nuts.

It has been estimated that coconut is the main source of income for 5% of Sri Lankans.  A considerable amount of foreign exchange is also earned through export of coconuts, shells and other coconut products.

The Ministry of Coconut Development has made a 6 year plan to increase Coconut production in the country, with the objective of producing 3650 million nuts annually.

Several nurseries have already been started in the Mahaweli Zone areas to supply sapling to the new growers.  These saplings will be distributed free of charge. (niz)