Govt. eyes US $ 1bn from coconut exports in five years

3 September 2020 09:34 am - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Reveals plan to plant coconut on 100,000 hectares of paddy land

The government is planning to increase the export earnings of coconut up to US $ 1 billion during the next five years, Plantations Minister Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday.

Ramesh Pathirana

The minister revealed this at a programme held to mark the World Coconut Day, at the Coconut Research Institute in Lunuvila.

“We intend to plant coconuts on 100,000 hectares of paddy land. A discussion has already been held with the Agrarian Services Department in this regard. Our intention is to bring in a transformation in the coconut industry,” Pathirana said.

“We have seen that there is potential for increasing the export revenue of coconut more than tea and rubber. Therefore, we will adopt all possible strategies to develop the coconut industry,” he added. He also assured that the government would come up with strategies to increase the production of coconuts somewhere between 300 and 400 million nuts in the coming months. “We are confident that we can meet this targeted range in the future,” he said.

Sri Lanka has completely banned the cultivation of oil palm to promote coconut cultivation.

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Comments - 5

T.H.J. Pieters Thursday, 03 September 2020 07:35 PM

This could result in supply shortages for the local market and the prices of coconut for the SL people would further increase

Dickie bird Thursday, 03 September 2020 08:19 PM

Good decision to ban Palm Oil Cultivation. Have Coconut yields in excess. For Consumption and young coconut for export. Simultaneously several packaging plants depending on demand. Thailand export young Coconut Coconut Water for export. China has gone a big way to plant Coconuts. Hurry up Mr. Minister.

ANILRAJ DE SILVA Thursday, 03 September 2020 10:01 PM

This is Wonderful News for US! We have been trying, since 1997 to get Sri Lanka to STOP using Cows Milk and use Coconut Milk Instead. Cows Milk causes Asthma! We are also looking to Import hundreds of thousands of pounds of Coconut Flour to Replace TOXIC Wheat Flour! Help us to Protect the Health (AND Wealth!) Of Sri Lanka! AYUBOWAN

Devinda Balasuriya Thursday, 03 September 2020 10:49 PM

If you wish to develop the coconut industry first remove the CDA which is a cancer from within.

Coronor Friday, 04 September 2020 08:32 AM

Will you be there in five years?

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Govt. eyes US $ 1bn from coconut exports in five years

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